Suffolk Sting Sweep Pittsburgh Inferno to Return to Championship Series

The Suffolk Sting continued their reign of dominance, sweeping the Pittsburgh Inferno in the Pro East Division Final to secure a place in the league championship series. With a 2-1 win in Game 1 and a commanding 4-0 shutout in Game 2, the Sting demonstrated why they’ve been the team to beat for nearly a decade.

This marks the Sting's eighth championship series appearance in the last nine years, having claimed the league title in six of the past seven seasons.

Game 1: A Defensive Battle Ends in Suffolk’s Favor

The series opener was a tightly contested game that showcased strong defensive play and excellent goaltending on both sides.

Suffolk took an early lead in the first period, with Max Halverson striking at 10:53 off an assist from PJ DiMartino, followed by a goal from Brett Jackson, set up by Billy Pascalli, at 2:10.

Despite being heavily outshot in the second period (14-5 in favor of Pittsburgh), the Sting held firm, thanks to stellar goaltending from Daniel Perepezko, who stopped 15 of 16 shots. The Inferno managed to cut the deficit with a goal from Ryan Soboslay at 3:45, but they couldn’t find the equalizer.

Pittsburgh’s Joel Eisenhower, known as one of the league’s top netminders, also had a strong showing, stopping 14 of 16 shots, but his efforts weren’t enough to overcome the early deficit.

Final Score: Suffolk 2, Pittsburgh 1

Game 2: Suffolk Dominates in Elimination Game

The Sting came out firing in Game 2, determined to avoid a third game in the series. They overwhelmed Pittsburgh early, outshooting them 12-3 in the first period and building a commanding 3-0 lead by the end of the frame.

Dan Healy opened the scoring at 8:50, followed by a pair of goals from Brett Jackson, who was set up by Pascalli and DiMartino on the second tally. Suffolk continued to control the pace, with DiMartino adding a fourth goal in the second period at 5:02.

The Inferno, meanwhile, struggled to generate offense, managing just 7 total shots on goal against Suffolk’s airtight defense.

Keith Johnson, in goal for Suffolk, posted a perfect game, stopping all 7 shots he faced for the shutout. Pittsburgh’s Eisenhower, despite allowing four goals on 17 shots, fought valiantly but lacked the support needed to stay competitive.

Final Score: Suffolk 4, Pittsburgh 0

What’s Next?

With this sweep, the Suffolk Sting advance to yet another championship series, further cementing their legacy as the league’s most dominant franchise. Their opponent will come from the Pro West Division, as they await the outcome of the West Division Finals.

For the Inferno, the season ends on a disappointing note, but the team can take pride in making it to the Division Final, a feat that speaks to their consistency as a top competitor in the East.

Suffolk continues to chase history, with their sights set on a seventh championship in eight seasons. Can anyone stop the Sting dynasty?