Sting Take Down Gladiators 5–2, Punch Return Ticket to Minor Final

The Suffolk Sting are headed back to the PIHA Minor Division Final after a decisive 5–2 win over the Marple SK Labeda Gladiators in Saturday’s single-elimination semifinal at Pepsi Roller Sports Arena.

Suffolk built an early cushion, answered both Marple pushes, and then put the game away late—earning a Finals return after falling short two seasons ago against the Trash Pandas.

How the scoring unfolded

Suffolk wasted no time getting to its game, striking three times in the first period:

• 10:13 (1st) — Colin Hite opened the scoring, assisted by Nick Tartaglia.
• 8:22 (1st) — Tye Koslow made it 2–0 (assist Rocco Cuomo).
• 1:45 (1st) — Jake Strong extended the lead to 3–0, assisted by Hite and Cuomo.

Marple settled in and got on the board through Michael Marconi, who accounted for both Gladiators goals:

• 2:15 (1st) — Marconi (assists Josh Roland and Dan Colombaro).
• 3:30 (2nd) — Marconi again, cutting the margin to 4–2 (assist Jack Phelan).

But Suffolk’s response was immediate and final. Ryan Standard scored twice in the second—first to restore breathing room, then to seal it with an empty-netter:

• 9:50 (2nd) — Standard (assist Tartaglia).
• 0:30 (2nd) — Standard (empty net).

By the numbers

Suffolk outshot Marple 18–14, got steady goaltending from Dan Petroro (12 saves on 14 shots), and played a clean game (no penalties recorded for Suffolk).

Up Next: Sting Await Dirty Dawgs vs Aces Winner

With the win, Suffolk advances to the best-of-three Minor Final and will face the winner of Motor City Dirty Dawgs vs Asheville Aces.

Game 1 of the championship series is set for Sunday at 10:00am.