10/4 Recap: Rockville Sportsplex (Minor)

PIHA Minor Division Season Kicks Off in Rockville with Explosive Festival Event

The Professional Inline Hockey Association’s milestone 25th season launched in exciting fashion at the Rockville Sportsplex, with a full day of Keystone Division action that marked the first-ever PIHA event hosted in Rockville and the debut of the Chesapeake Baymen organization.

The festival-style showcase featured four of the six Keystone teams and provided fans with a thrilling mix of high-scoring games, standout individual performances, and the long-awaited return of a league legend.

🎉 Milestone Moment: New Venue, New Team, Same Intensity

The day was historic in more ways than one. Not only did it mark the league’s official season opener, but it was also the first PIHA games ever played in Rockville, Maryland. The event introduced fans to the expansion Chesapeake Baymen, who made their debut against some of the division’s most seasoned franchises.

The Baymen showed heart and hustle across four contests, gaining valuable experience in their first taste of PIHA competition. While wins eluded them, the program took its first step in building a competitive identity moving forward.

🏆 Hall of Famer Returns: Yingling Leads Resurgent Scream

The storyline of the day belonged to PIHA Hall of Famer Brian Yingling, who made his return to the Susquehanna Scream after several years away from league play. It didn’t take long for the veteran forward to leave his mark—Yingling notched eight goals and four assists, sparking the Scream to three commanding wins and a one-goal loss.

Joining him in the resurgence was Cody Helwig, who chipped in 11 points from the blue line, and Jay Mazer (Pictured), whose steady defensive presence anchored the Scream in transition. The final game of the day saw the Scream outlast Steel City 10–8 in a wildly entertaining showdown, capping a near-perfect return for both Yingling and the franchise.

💥 Rosendale Dominates for Shockwave

The most electrifying individual performance of the event came from Steel City Shockwave’s Kyle Rosendale, who finished with a jaw-dropping 15 goals and 18 points in four games. Rosendale’s explosive first step and pinpoint shot proved unguardable, as he scored from nearly every angle and zone throughout the day.

Supported by Marco DeLisi and Nate Loughner, who each posted strong two-way performances, the Shockwave went 3–1 on the day. While they fell in their final game to the Scream, their up-tempo offense and relentless puck pursuit solidified them as a top contender in the Keystone Division early on.

⚙️ Pottstown Packs a Punch

The Pottstown Rink Rat Iron Knights put together a high-volume day offensively, with multiple double-digit outings. Cody Rotkiske led the charge from the back end with 11 points, while Christian Wenger, Ty Loftus, and John Vitali all delivered key moments in wins over Chesapeake and Steel City.

Pottstown’s ability to spread the scoring load and play a structured transition game made them dangerous throughout the day. A one-goal loss to Susquehanna kept them from a perfect outing, but the Knights made clear they’ll be in the mix all season long.

📈 Keystone Division: Outlook After Rockville

Through one event, the Keystone Division hierarchy is beginning to take shape:

• The Scream’s combination of veteran leadership and explosive offense looks championship-ready.

• Steel City’s firepower will keep them in any game, especially if Rosendale continues his MVP-caliber pace.

• Pottstown’s depth and physicality create problems for any opponent.

• And while the Baymen are in building mode, they showed flashes of structure and resilience that point to a promising future.

As the season continues, all eyes will be on these teams as they jostle for playoff positioning and division supremacy.

📺 Looking Ahead

The Rockville festival did more than just kick off the season—it set the tone for what promises to be an electric year across PIHA. With new teams, legendary returns, and record-breaking performances, the 25th anniversary season is already delivering on its promise of historic competition and unmatched excitement.

📍 Next up: Keystone action continues later this month as teams head to Pottstown for the second divisional showcase.