PIHA Metropolitan Division Festival Delivers High Drama at Rapid Fire Arena

Rapid Fire Arena (Holbrook, NY) served as the battleground on Saturday, November 15, 2025, as the PIHA Minor League Metropolitan Division gathered for its lone full-division festival of the season. The seven-team group produced a slate of intense, fast-paced, rivalry-charged games across a 12-game schedule—complete with explosive offenses, airtight goaltending, a dramatic overtime finish, and even a major disciplinary incident requiring league review.

With each team playing four games, the stakes were enormous as the season approaches its midway point and the battle for the top five playoff spots tightens across the board. By night’s end, two contenders emerged as undeniable forces, one middle-tier team made a major statement, and several others were left searching for answers heading into December.

GAME-BY-GAME RECAPS

12:00 PM — Mach 1 Moustache 3, Empire State Legends Gold 1

A disciplined, defensive opening game saw Mach 1 lock down the Legends Gold attack despite a 24–19 shots disadvantage. After a scoreless first half, the Moustache erupted for three goals in the final 5:20—including tallies from Greg Cartwright, Tom Cartwright, and Tyler Rifice. Gold answered with one late on the power play, but goaltender Brandon Morgenstern stood tall with 21 saves in the win.

12:40 PM — Long Island Rink Rat Blazers 7, Empire State Legends Silver 2

The Blazers offense overwhelmed the Silver early, scoring three goals in the first period before blowing the game open with four more in the second. Nick Korzevinski powered LI with a multi-goal explosion, while James Teadore and Gavin Grogen added key points. Despite early energy and strong goaltending from Justin DeSaro, Silver couldn’t keep pace as the Blazers controlled both possession and scoring chances throughout.

1:20 PM — Suffolk Sting 5, Champion Impact 2

In a heavyweight matchup between two top-tier programs, the Sting’s forecheck proved decisive. Josh Roland struck twice early before Suffolk added three more in the second period to pull away. Champion Impact fought hard, scoring in both halves, but Suffolk’s depth and relentless puck pursuit smothered attempted comebacks. Brett Nicholson’s goal late sealed the win and set the tone for Suffolk’s dominant day.

2:00 PM — Mach 1 Moustache 4, Empire State Legends Silver 3 (OT)

One of the day’s best games required overtime after Legends Silver erased a 3–2 deficit with a late strike. Mach 1 controlled the pace early thanks to goals from Sheppard, Palermo, and Rifice, but Silver stormed back with balanced scoring from Abazis, Marszalek, and Bowden. In the opening seconds of overtime, Rory Sheppard buried the winner after a slick entry and rebound finish, giving Mach 1 their second win of the event.

2:40 PM — Champion Impact 8, Empire State Legends Gold 2

Impact delivered a staggering second-period onslaught, scoring all eight of their goals in a jaw-dropping comeback after trailing 1–0 at the break. Logan Cain, Max Stern, Craig Zecca, and Joe Gallichio each contributed as Impact controlled possession and transition play. Gold had no answers under the relentless wave of pressure as Impact turned a tight defensive battle into a runaway victory.

3:20 PM — Suffolk Sting 4, Long Island Rink Rat Blazers 1

A tight, tactical first half gave way to Suffolk dominance as the Sting posted three unanswered second-period goals. Colin Hite, Brett Nicholson, and Ryan Gauggel keyed the surge, while Mike Razzano anchored Suffolk with 19 saves. The Blazers managed a single early goal, but Sting’s transition discipline and defensive sticks shut down LI’s neutral-zone speed.

4:00 PM — Champion Impact 3, Empire State Legends Silver 2

A fiery, emotionally charged matchup quickly escalated. Impact earned the win behind goals from Max Stern, Craig Zecca, and James Kelly, but the game is likely to be remembered more for the confrontation that unfolded in the second period. Multiple players were assessed game misconducts for third-man-in and leaving the bench during an altercation. All suspensions remain pending official league review. Despite the chaos, Impact held firm to close out a hard-fought victory.

4:40 PM — Mach 1 Moustache 9, Long Island Rink Rat Blazers 1

Mach 1 delivered a statement win. Their most explosive offensive showing of the year, the Moustache overwhelmed LI with relentless puck pressure and counterattacks. Greg Cartwright, Matt Metz, and Tyler Rifice were involved all over the scoresheet, while the defense shut down any Blazers push. Antonio Lepore made several athletic saves, but Mach 1’s volume and precision were too much in a runaway result.

5:20 PM — Suffolk Sting 2, Empire State Legends Gold 1

In one of the day’s tightest contests, Suffolk edged past Gold in a defensive chess match. Gold struck first through Jared Bly, but Suffolk answered with a pair of composed finishes from Roland and Strong. Both teams traded quality scoring chances in the second half, but Suffolk’s structure and poise in the neutral zone proved decisive in a playoff-style victory.

6:00 PM — Mach 1 Moustache 3, Champion Impact 2

Two title contenders delivered a high-end matchup full of speed, tight checking, and big saves. Mach 1’s depth again shined, with Sheppard and Rifice converting key opportunities. Impact pushed hard late—cutting the lead to one—but Morgenstern made multiple point-blank stops to deliver Mach 1 a perfect 4–0–0 day.

6:40 PM — Suffolk Sting 1, Empire State Legends Silver 0 (Forfeit)

Empire State Legends Silver were unable to continue following the earlier incident, resulting in a forfeit. Suffolk is officially credited with a 1–0 victory.

7:20 PM — Empire State Legends Gold 4, Long Island Rink Rat Blazers 0

Gold closed their day with their strongest performance: a complete, disciplined shutout win over the Blazers. Anthony Manginelli was flawless in net, turning aside all 16 shots he faced. Bly and Miller led the offense early, while Nissen and Greenberg tightened the blue line. For a Legends Gold team fighting to stay in the playoff window, this was a much-needed bounce-back result.

TEAM-BY-TEAM RECAPS

Festival Records (4 Games Each)

Suffolk Sting (4–0–0)

The Sting were once again the class of the division, showing elite structure and composure in all zones. Roland, Strong, Nicholson, and Gauggel powered a balanced attack. Suffolk cement their top spot in the Metropolitan standings heading toward December.

Mach 1 Moustache (4–0–0)

A powerhouse performance from one of the league’s hottest teams. Mach 1 combined explosive offense with strong goaltending, including an OT winner and a nine-goal eruption. They remain on a seven-game winning streak and sit second in the division standings.

Champion Impact (2–2–0)

Impact flashed their usual firepower—especially in the eight-goal outburst vs. Legends Gold—but dropped two tight games to Suffolk and Mach 1. Their special teams and depth remain among the division’s best. Pending suspensions from the 4:00pm game could impact December roster stability.

Suffolk Rink Rat Long Island Blazers (1–3–0)

After a dominant opening win, the Blazers struggled to generate second-chance scoring and faced two highly structured defensive teams. Still, the roster has strong top-end skill and remains in striking distance in the standings.

Empire State Legends Gold (1–3–0)

A difficult day turned around with a strong closing shutout win. Gold showed grit in tight losses and their defensive core improved as the event progressed. They remain competitive but need points quickly to stay above the playoff line.

Empire State Legends Silver (0–3–1)

Silver showed glimpses of offensive ability but were overwhelmed by pressure in several games. The 4:00pm incident overshadowed much of their day, which ended in a forfeit. They remain in the playoff picture—but just barely.

Empire State Legends Black (Did Not Play)

With a scheduled off-week, ESL Black remain tied with Impact in the standings with games in hand.

STARS AND STORYLINES OF THE DAY

⭐ Suffolk’s Two-Way Dominance

The Sting showcased championship-level balance, controlling pace, limiting chances, and capitalizing on transition opportunities.

⭐ Mach 1’s Perfect Run

Four wins—including a statement victory vs Impact and a nine-goal outburst—firmly place Mach 1 among the league’s elite.

⭐ Impact’s Offensive Ceiling

Champion Impact’s eight-goal explosion was the day’s most electric period of hockey, proving they can outscore anyone when firing.

⭐ The 4:00pm Incident

The rare multi-player altercation led to several ejections and potential impending suspensions. The league will rule prior to the December 6 slate.

⭐ Legends Gold Resilience

After heavy mid-day losses, ESL Gold rebounded with their most complete performance in game four.

METROPOLITAN DIVISION OUTLOOK

(Top 5 of 7 make the playoffs)

The standings tightened significantly after the festival:

• Suffolk Sting (1st) — continue to set the league standard at 10–0–2, with unmatched defensive detail.

• Mach 1 Moustache (2nd) — now 9–1–0, one of the hottest teams in the country, riding a seven-game win streak.

• Champion Impact (3rd) — remain a clear contender with elite scoring depth; sit at 6–1–1.

• Empire State Legends Black (4th) — idle this weekend but remain firmly in the top four.

• Empire State Legends Silver (5th) — hold the final playoff spot but must stabilize after a volatile event.

• Long Island Rink Rat Blazers (6th) — just outside the cutoff and trending downward after three straight losses.

• Empire State Legends Gold (7th) — gained a little ground with a strong finish but remain in tough territory.

The race for spot #5 is now a true three-team battle between Silver, the Blazers, and Gold.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Metropolitan Division resumes play with a critical in-division event on Saturday, December 6, hosted at the Rapid Fire Arena. With playoff positioning tightening and disciplinary rulings pending, December promises to be one of the most consequential weekends of the season.