Empire State Legends Black Win 2024-25 PIHA Minor Championship with Sweep of Mach 1 Moustache

The Empire State Legends Black are your 2024-25 PIHA Minor Division Champions, completing a clean 2-0 series sweep of the Mach 1 Moustache. With a balanced offensive attack and composed defensive structure, the Legends capped off their dominant postseason run with a 5-2 victory in Game 2, showcasing the talent and depth that defined their season.

Series Recap: Legends Black Sweep Mach 1

Game 1 set the tone—Empire State came out flying and took control early, never letting Mach 1 dictate pace or gain sustained pressure. In Game 2, the Moustache mounted an early fight but couldn’t keep pace with the Legends’ layered scoring and disciplined play. Over the series, the Legends outscored Mach 1 9-4, limiting high-danger chances while converting their own with ruthless efficiency.

Game 2 Breakdown: Empire State Legends Black 5, Mach 1 Moustache 2

Game 2 saw an early exchange of offense before the Legends pulled away in the second half, locking down defensively while adding insurance goals to secure the sweep.

First Period: Fireworks Early

Both teams came out with energy, trading goals in an up-tempo opening period. The Legends struck first at 10:56, as Bailey Sparacio (assisted by Ryan Murray and Bryan Rosen) opened the scoring with a smooth finish off the rush.

Mach 1 quickly answered with back-to-back goals to take the lead. At 5:52, Tyler Rifice buried an even-strength tally assisted by Ryan Curran. Then just a minute later at 4:51, Greg Cartwright gave the Moustache a 2-1 lead, converting a great setup from Jamie Rifice and Tom Cartwright.

But Empire State didn’t blink. Just 37 seconds later, Matthew Ferrari responded with a goal of his own, leveling the score 2-2 going into intermission.

Second Period: Legends Slam the Door

With the championship in sight, the Legends elevated their game in the second period. Ferrari struck again at 5:20, finishing off a pass from Bryan Rosen to make it 3-2. From that point on, the Legends took full control.

Sparacio notched his second of the game with a goal at 0:29, putting the game out of reach. The Moustache struggled to generate high-quality looks against the Legends' structured defensive coverage.

Empire State goaltender Sean Connolly was sharp when called upon, stopping 12 of 14 shots, while his counterpart Brandon Morgenstern faced a heavier workload, turning away 15 of 20 shots.

No Penalties, No Problem

Remarkably, Game 2 featured no penalties on either side, a testament to the clean, fast-paced nature of the championship matchup. The Legends didn’t need power plays to do their damage—they executed at even strength, with all five of their goals coming 5-on-5.

Stars of the Game

• 3rd Star: Tyler Rifice (Mach 1) – 1 Goal, Led early push

• 2nd Star: Bailey Sparacio (ESLB) – 2 Goals, Game-winner

• 1st Star: Matthew Ferrari (ESLB) – 2 Goals, Clutch scoring

Championship Formula: Depth and Defense

What separated Empire State from the field wasn’t just their scoring—it was their ability to roll four lines, keep shifts short, and commit defensively from every player. With contributions across the lineup and steady play from defensemen like Ryan Murray and Bryan Rosen, the Legends locked things down when it mattered most.

Sparacio and Ferrari combined for four of the five goals in Game 2, but eight different players registered points across the two-game series—underscoring the balance that defined their run.

What’s Next?

Empire State Legends Black have made their mark on the PIHA Minor Division and may see several of their top contributors rise to Semi-Pro or even higher next season. For the Mach 1 Moustache, the loss stings, but they’ll take pride in reaching the final and will look to reload for another run next year.