Playoff Series Preview: Impact vs Sting

📅 Game 1: February 22, 2025 – 6:40 PM
📅 Game 2: February 22, 2025 – 8:00 PM
📅 Game 3 (If Necessary): February 22, 2025 – 9:20 PM
🏆 Series Winner Advances to Metropolitan Division Final on February 23, 2025

A Playoff Rivalry Renewed

The Champion Impact and Suffolk Sting meet once again in the postseason, continuing a budding rivalry that has seen these two teams collide in high-stakes matchups over the past two seasons. Last year, the Sting edged out the Impact in two one-goal games to deny them a trip to the PIHA Finals. Now, Champion Impact looks for redemption, while the Sting seek another deep playoff run.

Regular Season Recap: Advantage Suffolk

The Sting took both regular season matchups, winning 5-2 on November 16 and 2-1 on October 12. The Impact have struggled against Suffolk’s defensive structure and disciplined play, making this a challenging matchup despite their higher seed.

Champion Impact: A Team on a Mission

The Champion Impact have been one of the top Minor League teams since the division’s formation, consistently contending for a championship. However, they have yet to get over the hump and reach the PIHA Finals. Could this be the year?

One key X-factor in this series is goaltender Mike Razzano. The Impact have been nearly unbeatable when he starts, as he leads the league in both goals against average (1.92 GAA) and save percentage (.884 SV%). If Razzano plays at his peak, the Impact will be extremely difficult to eliminate.

Key Players to Watch:

• Max Stern (#89, F/D) – The league’s leading goal scorer with 26 goals in 20 games, Stern is a lethal finisher and the engine of the Impact offense.
• Mike Prainito (#91, F) – A dynamic playmaker, Prainito has 13 assists in just 12 games.
• Craig Zecca (#68, F) – A consistent scoring presence, Zecca posted 15 points in 16 games.

Goaltending:

• Mike Razzano (#35) – The top goalie in the Minor League, leading the division in both GAA (1.92) and SV% (.884).
• Greg Braska (#34) – A capable backup, but likely won’t see action unless needed.

Suffolk Sting: A Proven Playoff Team

The Suffolk Sting enter the postseason with playoff experience and a high-powered offense. While they stumbled late in the regular season—losing 3 of their final 4 games—their roster is stacked with offensive weapons, including three of the league’s top five scorers.

Their goaltending situation was unstable early in the season, with Dylan Kirpata handling most of the starts. However, after Dan Petroro joined the team to split time, the Sting won 10 of their next 11 games, showing their championship potential when at full strength.

Key Players to Watch:

• Josh Roland (#91, F/D) – The league’s leading scorer with 33 points in 19 games, Roland is a dual-threat playmaker and finisher.
• Ryan Standard (#98, D) – A defensive leader who also finished third in league scoring with 29 points.
• Brett Nicholson (#77, F) – Ranked fifth in league scoring (27 points), Nicholson provides secondary scoring punch.

Goaltending:

• Dan Petroro (#1) – Has been the Sting’s top netminder down the stretch, with a 2.16 GAA and .866 SV%.
• Dylan Kirpata (#13) – Struggled early but provides depth if needed (3.43 GAA, .779 SV%).

Series Outlook: Clash of Styles

This series is shaping up to be a clash of styles:

• The Impact will rely on goaltending and defensive structure to keep the game low-scoring and capitalize on key chances.
• The Sting have a more high-powered offense and will try to push the pace and outgun the Impact.

Despite being the lower seed, the Sting enter as slight favorites based on their regular season success and head-to-head dominance over the Impact in past matchups. However, if Razzano is in net and on his game, the Impact could finally break through and reach the Division Final.