Playoff Series Preview: Moustache vs Legends Silver

The second semi-final in the PIHA Minor Metropolitan Division features a highly anticipated showdown between the #2 seed Mach 1 Moustache and the #3 seed Empire State Legends Silver. With a trip to the division championship on the line, this best-of-three series takes place Saturday, February 7th at Rapid Fire Arena.

📆 Series Schedule

• 🕘 Game 1: February 7, 2026 – 9:40 AM

• 🕘 Game 2: February 7, 2026 – 12:20 PM

• 🕘 Game 3 (If Necessary): February 7, 2026 – 3:00 PM

The winner will advance to face either the Suffolk Sting or Empire State Legends Gold in the Metropolitan Division Championship on Sunday, February 8th.

🟩 Mach 1 Moustache

Regular Season Record: 14-6-0
Goals For / Against: 81 GF / 53 GA

Mach 1 enters the semifinals with momentum, powered by one of the deepest forward groups in the division. Greg Cartwright leads the team in scoring with 28 points (17 G, 11 A) in just 16 games, while Rory Sheppard added 15 goals in 13 games. Veteran forward Tom Palermo provides stability and scoring touch, and Dan Diiorio has been a weapon on both sides of the puck with nearly two points per game.  

Tyler Rifice gives the team a strong secondary scoring presence, and Mach 1's blue line has moved the puck well all season, helping them average over four goals per game.

The Moustache reign as last year's Metro division champions and are hungry to get back to Colorado Springs, where they fell in the Finals to the eventual champions in two straight games.

🔑 Key to Victory:
Capitalize on offensive zone possession and maintain their shooting pace. If their top six control the puck, it will put consistent pressure on a Silver team that has shown signs of defensive breakdowns under sustained attack.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:
Defensive transition. Against quicker teams, Mach 1 has occasionally struggled to get clean changes and reset their shape defensively—something Silver’s speed could exploit.

🥈 Empire State Legends Silver

Regular Season Record: 11-8-1
Goals For / Against: 72 GF / 59 GA

Legends Silver boast one of the league’s most electric scorers in Shane Reilly, who racked up 29 points (18 G, 11 A) in just 12 games, averaging 2.4 points per outing. Dylan Marszalek adds a dangerous presence from the back end with 12 goals, and Collin Hoisik has provided steady two-way play.

Role players like Chris St. Clair and Dan Splendore round out a group that can hang in tight-checking games but also break out in transition when the space opens up.

🔑 Key to Victory:
Use speed through the neutral zone. Silver is at their best when creating odd-man rushes and forcing defenders to backpedal, giving Reilly and Marszalek the time and room to shoot.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:
Team defense and penalty killing. Silver has been vulnerable when defending in their own end, and giving Mach 1 multiple power plays could spell trouble.

🤝 Head-to-Head This Season

• 🟢 Nov 15: Mach 1 4, Silver 3 — A tight, back-and-forth battle that went down to the final minutes.

• 🟢 Oct 25: Mach 1 4, Silver 2 — Mach 1 controlled most of the pace, limiting Reilly’s space and converting on key chances.

🏁 What to Expect

This series has all the makings of a track meet. Expect tempo, quick puck movement, and big moments from both top lines. Mach 1 brings depth, discipline, and structured play, while Silver offers high-end offensive firepower and players who can change a game in a shift.  While the Moustache are the defending division champs and a slight favorite, the Legends Silver can easily win this series if they can dictate the pace of play and not fall into a physical battle.

The team that controls the pace and style will likely punch their ticket to Sunday’s Metropolitan Final.