Playoff Series Preview: Legends vs Steel

The Mid-Atlantic Semi-Pro postseason continues at Marple Sports Arena as the second-seeded Empire State Legends take on the third-seeded Fusion Steel in a best-of-three semifinal series.

Empire State enters with momentum and a season-series sweep, while Fusion Steel looks to flip the script in a short playoff format where momentum can shift quickly.

📅 Series Schedule — Marple Sports Arena

🕘 Game 1: February 21, 2026 – 4:15 PM
🕘 Game 2: February 21, 2026 – 6:30 PM
🕘 Game 3 (If Necessary): February 21, 2026 – 8:45 PM

The winner advances to the Mid-Atlantic Division Final on Sunday, February 22.

🟡 Empire State Legends (2nd Seed)

Regular Season Record: 12-8-0

Head-to-Head This Season

• Won 7–5
• Won 6–2
• Won 7–3

Empire State swept the regular-season meetings and enters the series as the higher seed with strong momentum on both ends of the floor.

Offensive Leaders

• Michael Tardino — 33 pts (16G, 17A)

• Aidan Ryan — 29 pts (22G)

• Doug Sheeler — 23 pts

• Joe Salavec — 14 pts (D)

• Sean Hart — 14 pts

The Legends feature balanced scoring and strong puck movement, making them dangerous in both transition and sustained offensive pressure.

Goaltending

• Mike Muccio-Schrimpe: 3.01 GAA, .845 SV%, 1 SO

• Matthew Lazaro: 3.13 GAA, .850 SV%, 1 SO

🔑 Key to Victory:
Balanced scoring and reliable goaltending. Empire State thrives when they control possession and limit high-danger chances.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:
Managing high-tempo games against aggressive offensive teams.

🔵 Fusion Steel (3rd Seed)

Regular Season Record: 8-12-0

Fusion Steel enters as the underdog but brings offensive firepower capable of creating problems in a short series.

Offensive Leaders

• Matthew Hawkins — 30 pts (20G, 10A, D)

• Josh DiBlanda — 28 pts

• Josh Fontaine — 20 pts

• Collin Ewald — 10 pts

• Vinson Guigliano — 10 pts (D)

Hawkins’ production from the blue line and DiBlanda’s scoring ability give Fusion the potential to generate offense quickly.

Goaltending

• Mike Camasso: 4.10 GAA, .830 SV%

• Stephen Digiovanna: 6.09 GAA

🔑 Key to Victory:
Quick-strike offense and capitalizing on scoring chances. Fusion must create momentum early and play from ahead.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:
Defensive consistency and sustaining pressure against balanced offenses.

🔚 What to Expect

This semifinal pits a team that swept the season series against a determined underdog looking to rewrite the narrative.

Empire State brings balance, depth, and goaltending stability, while Fusion Steel counters with offensive playmakers capable of swinging games quickly. With a trip to the Mid-Atlantic Division Final at stake, expect a fast-paced, physical series where execution will be critical.