Playoff Series Recap: Purple Pandas Sweep Mach 1 Rinkster Empire in Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals

Series: Champion Purple Pandas (5) vs. Mach 1 Rinkster Empire (4)
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
Location: Inline Skating Club of America
Final Result: Purple Pandas win series, 2–0
Advancing to: Mid-Atlantic Semifinals vs. Empire State Legends Black (Feb 21 at Marple Sports Arena)

The Champion Purple Pandas delivered a decisive performance on Saturday night at ISCA, sweeping the higher-seeded Mach 1 Rinkster Empire in two straight games and punching their ticket to the Mid-Atlantic Semifinals. In a rematch-heavy playoff bracket, the Pandas flipped the regular-season script and proved they could elevate when it mattered most.

🟣 Game 1: Purple Pandas 3 – Rinkster Empire 2

The opening game set the tone for a gritty and opportunistic series.

The Pandas leaned on a smothering defensive effort and some timely scoring to edge out a tight 3–2 victory. After conceding an early goal, Champion responded with three unanswered tallies and withstood a late Empire push. Goaltender Tommy DelBalso turned away key shots in the final minutes, and the Pandas got contributions from all lines to secure the win.

Rinkster Empire struggled to generate sustained pressure despite their usual transition-heavy attack, as the Pandas clogged passing lanes and forced them wide.

🟣 Game 2: Purple Pandas 5 – Rinkster Empire 3

With their season on the line, Rinkster Empire came out more aggressive in Game 2—but it wasn’t enough to slow down a confident Pandas squad.

Champion jumped out to a 3–0 lead, controlling tempo and finding gaps in Empire’s defensive structure. Rinkster clawed back into it, narrowing the score to 4–3 midway through the second half, but the Pandas iced the game with a late insurance goal and more steady goaltending from DelBalso.

The Pandas showed poise, closing out the game with smart puck management and a strong penalty kill. Dominic Iorizzo and Adam Rutkowski provided clutch offensive production throughout the series.

🔄 Series Overview

• Champion Purple Pandas Goals: 8

• Mach 1 Rinkster Empire Goals: 5

• Goaltending Standout: Tommy DelBalso (Champion)

• Game-Winning Goals: Game 1 – R. Gethard | Game 2 – D. Iorizzo

Champion flipped a 2–0 regular season deficit against Rinkster Empire into a 2–0 playoff sweep, showcasing their growth, discipline, and playoff readiness. Their defensive corps blocked shots in volume and limited Empire’s typically free-flowing offensive game.

🔜 What’s Next

The Champion Purple Pandas advance to face the defending champion and top-seeded Empire State Legends Black in the Mid-Atlantic Semifinals on Saturday, February 21st at Marple Sports Arena.

They’ll face a more experienced and high-scoring team in Empire Black, but after dispatching the fourth seed in convincing fashion, the Pandas enter the semifinal round with momentum and belief.