PIHA Semi-Pro Semifinals Recap: Yotes and Snipers Upset Their Way into the Finals

Championship Sunday in the PIHA Semi-Pro Division will feature two teams that weren’t expected to be there when the weekend began. In a pair of thrilling semifinal matchups Saturday night, the Arizona Yotes and Long Island Empire Snipers stunned the top two seeds—Propel MG and the Raleigh Title Wave Mops—to advance to the best-of-three championship series.

Let’s take a look at how both semifinals unfolded:

Semifinal 1: (4) Arizona Yotes 5, (1) Propel MG 0

The Arizona Yotes delivered the biggest statement of the playoffs so far, shutting out the top-seeded Propel MG in a commanding 5–0 performance that showcased their speed, structure, and finishing touch.

The Yotes erupted in the first period with four unanswered goals, starting with Aydin Schwetz, who beat the goalie with a low shot just over two minutes in. Moments later, Ruben Gonzalez made it 2–0 with a setup from Schwetz. Zach Hoffman extended the lead on the power play, and Warren Jelinek added another to make it 4–0 at the break.

Despite managing just two shots in the second half, Arizona added a fifth goal—Hoffman’s second of the game—just 1:38 in, effectively icing the contest. Goalie Eric Hernandez was locked in, making 14 saves to secure the shutout.

Propel, one of the highest-scoring teams in the tournament, couldn’t find answers against Arizona’s swarming defense and never got into rhythm offensively.

Semifinal 2: (3) Long Island Empire Snipers 3, (2) Raleigh Title Wave Mops 1

If the first semifinal was a shocker, the second was a grind-it-out statement of resilience. The Long Island Empire Snipers overcame a slow start and a 1–0 deficit to score three unanswered goals in the second period and knock off the previously undefeated Raleigh Mops.

Raleigh opened the scoring midway through the first when Michael Curtis finished off a beautiful passing play with Alex Robinson and Chris Mahaffey. The Mops carried that 1–0 lead into halftime, but the Snipers didn’t flinch.

Stephen Falkowski tied the game at 10:41 of the second, converting a feed from Alex Nelson. Just over nine minutes later, James Rieger gave Long Island their first lead of the game. Vinny Pontrello sealed the win with an empty-netter with just four seconds remaining.

Brett Eoviero was stellar in net for Long Island, making 19 saves on 20 shots and coming up big when it mattered most. The Snipers’ structure, discipline, and opportunistic offense proved enough to take down the tournament’s second seed.

Championship Series Set: Snipers vs Yotes

With both top seeds eliminated, the PIHA Semi-Pro Championship will be decided between two surging underdogs:

• (3) Long Island Empire Snipers vs (4) Arizona Yotes

• Best-of-three series begins Saturday at 5:35 PM, with Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) slated for Sunday morning.

The Yotes have outscored opponents 13–4 in the playoffs and haven’t lost since the round robin. The Snipers have won back-to-back one-goal games, showing poise under pressure and elite goaltending.

It’s speed vs structure. East vs West. And the Semi-Pro title is up for grabs.