32nd Annual CHE Playoffs
Round 1
Date: Friday, February 21, 2003
Location: Ice Zone, Boardman, OH
Game 1: EUP 5 d. Pitt-II 2
Game 2: SVC 9 d. IUP-II 5
Round 2
Date: Sunday, February 23, 2003
Location: Ice Zone, Boardman, OH
Game 1: SRU d. SVC 1
Game 2: UPJ 7 d. EUP 0
Game 1: Slippery Rock vs. Pitt-Johnstown
Date: Friday, February 28, 2003
Location: BladeRunners Ice, Bethel Park, PA
SRU 6 d. UPJ 1
Game 2: Pitt Johnstown vs. Slippery Rock
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2003
Location: BladeRunners Ice, Bethel Park, PA
UPJ 6 d. SRU 2
Game 3: Slippery Rock vs. Pitt-Johnstown
Date: Sunday, March 2, 2003
Location: BladeRunners Ice, Bethel Park, PA
UPJ 6 d. SRU 2
Game One
SRU 6 d. UPJ 1
The Pride dominated the entire game, scoring two 1st period goals in the first seven minutes. Mark Runco notched the first goal, with Gary Gerson scoring the second. Pitt-Johnstown brought the score within one, thanks to a goal by Captain Mike Bayne. From that point on, SRU was in total control of the game.
Gerson finished with two goals in the game. Derek Burda added a goal and an assist. Goalie Jason Kortz stopped 23 out of 24 shots for the Pride victory.
Game Two
UPJ 6 d. SRU 2
A total reversal of Game 1, the Ice Cats set the tone early and cruised to the 6-2 victory. UPJ converted two power play chances into goals, as DJ Morgelle and Mike Bayne notched the goals. Ron Jankosko also scored twice. Bayne had two goals and one assist, while Morgelle notched a goal and an assist. Goalie Dave Layman stopped 26 of 28 shots for UPJ, to force a third and deciding game. Joe Giebel scored two points for the Pride in the losing effort.
Game Three
UPJ 6 d. SRU 2
The Ice Cats cap an amazing comeback by defeating the Pride in the third and final game. UPJ once again set the tone with the first goal, an unassisted score from Dave Moliterno. The Pride quickly tied the game with a goal from Joe McGee, assisted by Gary Gerson & Joe Geibel.
Pitt-Johnstown then took the lead for good with a power play goal from DJ Morgelle. They added to their lead with 14 seconds left in the second period, thanks to a tip in by Mike Bayne. Slippery Rock made the score 3-2 in the third period, thanks to a power play goal by Jim McConnell.
But the Ice Cats proved to be too much. Mike Bayne scored a power play goal on a rebound by goalie Jason Kortz to make the score 4-2. DJ Morgelle finished SRU off with an empty net goal to clinch the series. Dave Layman stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced in the deciding game. Mike Bayne was named The Jack McKinnon MVP, thanks to his five goals and three assists over the three games.
