PITTSBURGH — Shaler coach Curt Hetz had a good feeling about his hockey team this year — but not this good.

The Titans, who were the No. 1 seed entering the PIHL Class AAA tournament and who won their first two playoff games by a combined 12-3 score, will face Seneca Valley in the Penguins Cup championship at 8:30 p.m. today atMellon Arena.

"Let's say when we started the season, would I say I thought we'd be here? I don't know if I would be that bold, but I knew we had a good team," said Hetz.

Shaler (22-2) is coming off a 6-1 victory over Bethel Park March 9 and a 6-1 victory over Mount Lebanon in the semifinals last Wednesday.

"They're extremely, extremely successful on the offensive side," said Seneca Valley coach Denis Kirstein. "Zac Lynch is up there in points (43) and Shaler is the second-leading team in goals (one behind Penn-Trafford during the regular season).

"They work the puck low and take great shots and create good opportunities,"Kirstein added.

The Titans have shown an amazing ability to close out games, including the two playoff games.

Against the Black Hawks, Shaler was tied 2-all after two periods, but netted four goals in the third period. Against the Blue Devils, the Titans led 2-1 after the first period before adding two goals in each of the final two periods.

"Our defense played real well in those games," said Hetz. "I always say if you win playoff games, you have to do it with defense.

"Our offense was strong during the season. Some games we had some scoring breakdowns. When it happened, we always found a way to lose the lead, but we were able to grab it back," he added

The Titans had 12 players with at least double figures in points, led by forwards Lynch with 43 points (28 goals, 15 assists), Pat Schafer (20-18-38), Drew Martz (8-24-32), Billy Dobson (13-16-29) and Shane Shiring (13-8-21).

They have outscored their opponents 118-65.

"They run three lines and are extremely opportunistic on the power play,"Kirstein noted.

Steven Weilersbacher is currently the Titans' No. 1 goalie with a 10-1 record, allowing about 2.3 goals per game.

The Raiders (14-5-5) also enter the game on a roll.

Their defense has allowed only 50 goals this season. Ryan Schutte is 8-3-5 between the pipes and his stellar play has kept the Raiders alive in their postseason run.

Seneca Valley (14-5-5), the No. 4 seed, defeated Erie McDowell 3-2 in overtime March 10, then edged No. 3 seed Upper St. Clair 4-3 in overtime last Thursday.

"I think the kids are excited, definitely," said Kirstein. "The whole school is excited. I think the players are a little nervous."

The Seneca Valley offense is led by Logan Pfeffer with 36 points (12-24), Brandon Platt (18-12-30), Sam Jarrett (16-13-29), Mike Rohm (11-10-21), Tyler Mesisca (6-11-17), Taylor Wagner (3-14-17), Erik Larson (10-3-13) and Kaleb Schwab (3-8-11).

"(Brandon) Platt is a good skater and they have another big power forward in Mike Rohm," said Hetz. "They have (Pfeffer and Jarrett). All their skaters can score. They're pretty balanced."

The teams met once this season with the Titans coming away with a 4-3 victory Feb. 6.

"It was a close game," said Hetz. "(Seneca Valley) scored two goals on a 5-on-3 break that we had. We got too anxious and we let two pucks get behind us. We were up 2-0 and they tied it, then they scored another goal at the end of the power play."

Said Kirstein, "It was crazy, crazy how it happened. I was not happy with the way we were shooting. We just gave up a short-handed goal and I called timeout. I told the kids they needed to find a way. No more complaining.

"Then, we get called for a five-minute spearing penalty on the next shift. Well, we score two goals in that time. Erik Larsen took charge on that shift," Kirstein added.

Kirstein knows the team can ill-afford to fall behind again, although his team has shown they can come back.

"This will be a one-goal game. I guarantee it. I just know it. That's what happens when two teams come down to the final playoff game," Kirstein Said.