NEVILLE ISLAND — Chemistry wasn’t of great concern when Alex Crilley was chosen for Team Pittsburgh in the America’s Showcase tournament last weekend at Neville Island.

The Seneca Valley junior ended up on a line with two players — Shaler’s Tommy Kimmick and Thomas Jefferson’s Austin Martz — who played on his club hockey team.

With how Team Pittsburgh played, it appeared as though they all have played together before.

Team Pittsburgh went 6-0, winning five straight one-goal games to close the tournament.

They sealed the Pool A title with a 4-3 win over Illinois Monday at the Robert Morris Sports Complex.

“My linemates were kids from a program I played with and we clicked instantly,” Crilley said. “We had a line of Pens Elite players and a couple of lines that did well together. We’re a very easy group of kids to get along with and have chemistry with everyone.”

Crilley was one of four Butler County players — along with Butler senior Marcus McCall and juniors Jonathan Fair and Connor Scott — to play for Team Pittsburgh.

McCall, a defenseman, also paired up with a familiar face.

His defensive partner was Carrick’s James Unger, who McCall played inline hockey with.

“He’s left-handed and I’m right-handed, so it all worked out on D,” McCall said. “We were also on the power play together.”

The Golden Tornado were the only school to have three players selected. Armstrong, North Allegheny and Bethel Park all had two players chosen.

Butler made its first trip to the Class AAA Penguins Cup this season.

“I think it shows how much our program develops players,” Scott said.

Originally, players from the Pittsburgh area were on four teams and pared down to one for the competition.

McCall, who only knew three players on the team, felt like everyone was able to get to know each other quickly.

“I knew it was going to be a tough tryout,” McCall said. “We battled every scrimmage we had during the tryout. I knew we had a tough team and had a chance to win the whole showcase.”

Crilley led all county players with two goals and four assists, while Fair had four assists.

The 18-player squad had five practices to prepare for the tournament, which is aimed at giving players a chance to play in front of college and junior hockey scouts.

“The practices before the tournament, when we could get on the ice together, were important,” Fair said. “Everyone took the practices very seriously. We had to if we were going to make an impact in the tournament.”

Pittsburgh opened with a 12-1 win over Midwest.

Then the string of one-goal games kicked into gear.

Pittsburgh beat New York (4-3), New England (2-1), Midwest (2-1) and New England (4-3) to win its half of the pool.

Fair was impressed with how the group handled adversity.

They faced a deficit in every game they played.

“I think everybody on the team knew that every single player was capable of changing the game,” Fair said. “We were also behind in all five games. Nobody would give up after we went down one or two goals.”

Scottt enjoyed matching up against players with different styles from around the country.

“A lot of the teams we played are a lot more physical than the teams we played in Pittsburgh,” Scott said. “The refs let you play, which is nice to see that.”

Crilley enjoyed the experience and pressure of playing in front of scouts.

“Sometimes it can be nerve-wracking, but it gives you an extra push,” Crilley said. “Actually, it gives you a chance to elevate your game.”