Playoff Series Preview: Empire vs Purple Pandas

Here is your article for the 2025–26 PIHA Minor Mid-Atlantic Division Quarterfinal matchup between Mach 1 Rinkster Empire and the Champion Purple Pandas, written in the official PIHA Playoff Preview style:

🏒 PIHA Minor Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinal Preview

Mach 1 Rinkster Empire vs. Champion Purple Pandas
Best‑of‑Three Series — Friday, January 31, 2026 • Inline Skating Club of America

The Mid-Atlantic Division kicks off its postseason with a quarterfinal clash between two evenly matched clubs. Fourth-seeded Mach 1 Rinkster Empire will battle the fifth-seeded Champion Purple Pandas in a best-of-three showdown for a spot in the semifinals against the defending champions, Empire State Legends Black. All three games are set for a single-day showdown at ISCA.

📅 Series Schedule – Inline Skating Club of America (ISCA)

• Game 1: Friday, January 31 – 6:00 PM

• Game 2: Friday, January 31 – 7:30 PM

• Game 3 (If Necessary): Friday, January 31 – 9:00 PM

🔵 Mach 1 Rinkster Empire (4th Seed)

🧾 Regular Season Record: 4‑15‑1

Rinkster Empire finished the season earning the No. 4 seed after a competitive season filled with close wins and a pair of key victories over the Pandas.

📊 Head-to-Head vs. Pandas:

• W 7–4 on Oct. 18

• W 4–3 on Dec. 13

Empire swept the regular season series but needed a third-period comeback in their second meeting to pull away. Their top scorers stepped up in both contests, and they’ll need more of that in the playoffs.

🔑 Key Players:

• Thomas Marra – 20 points in 12 games, led team in goals and PP production

• Joseph Rallo – Two-way contributor with 13 points and strong faceoff presence

• Anthony Perepezko – Solid between the pipes, reliable under pressure

🗝 Key to Victory:

Empire’s ability to push the tempo and strike in transition gives them the edge in open-ice matchups. If they control neutral zone play and maintain discipline, they can suffocate the Pandas’ offense.

⚠️ Vulnerabilities:

Empire has shown lapses late in games, including a couple of third-period breakdowns that cost them seeding. Against a gritty Pandas team, they’ll need a full 36 minutes of structure.

🟣 Champion Purple Pandas (5th Seed)

🧾 Regular Season Record: 3‑16‑1

The Pandas were one win shy of the fourth seed and are out for revenge after two regular season losses to Rinkster. They’ve shown flashes of offensive brilliance but haven’t always converted on key chances.

📊 Head-to-Head vs. Empire:

• L 4–7 on Oct. 18

• L 3–4 on Dec. 13

Despite being swept, the Pandas improved in each meeting and were just one bounce away from a win in the second contest.

🔑 Key Players:

• Connor Sharpe – 18 points in 12 games, leads team in scoring

• Nick Rotunno – Steady presence with 11 points, dangerous on the rush

• Cole Raiti – Goaltender with high-save-volume experience, will need to be locked in

🗝 Key to Victory:

Pandas must capitalize on the power play and disrupt Empire’s puck movement. They’ve been at their best when playing with emotion and crashing the net.

⚠️ Vulnerabilities:

Special teams consistency has been an issue. The Pandas’ penalty kill has struggled against quick puck-moving teams like Empire. Staying out of the box will be key.

🆚 Series Outlook

This is a classic clash of styles: Empire brings structure and pace, while the Pandas rely on high-energy play and timely scoring. The regular season results suggest a slight edge for Empire, but playoff hockey is unpredictable—and a hot goaltender or quick start can flip the script in a best-of-three.

The winner of this series will advance to the Mid-Atlantic Division Semifinals to face the defending champion Empire State Legends Black on Saturday, February 21st at Marple Sports Arena.

Stay tuned for what promises to be an intense and fast-paced series at ISCA.