After returning home for its past match against Richmond (a 1-1 draw), Pittsburgh (5-8-9) prepares to travel across the state to battle the rival Harrisburg City Islanders (6-11-6) for the third and final time this season at 7 p.m. on Saturday at FNB Field.
The Cup
The Riverhounds hold a 1-0-1 record against Harrisburg this season, winning the first match at Highmark Stadium (1-0) and tying the second contest at FNB Field (0-0). With a win or a draw, Pittsburgh can clinch the Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery, for the second time in its three years of existence. The Hounds previously won the trophy in 2015, its inaugural season.
ABC, it’s easy as, 123
With an appearance on Saturday, Kevin Kerr will log his 123rd career appearance with the Hounds and tie Sterling Flunder for the fourth-most caps in team history. This season, Kerr leads the Black and Gold in minutes played (1,913) and is one of two players (Corey Hertzog being the other) who have taken the pitch in every match.
Carded
Thus far in the season series, there have been nine yellow cards and two red cards accumulated between the City Islanders and the Hounds. The aggressiveness of each team could once again be high on Saturday, as the Keystone Derby Cup is up for grabs.
Hertzog leads the Eastern Conference with 61 shots. The forward has been at the forefront of the Hounds attack this season, as he also leads Pittsburgh in goals (7), points (16) and shots on goal (26).
This season, Pittsburgh has tallied 30 more shots in the second half than in the first half. In each of its past two games, the club has amassed a bulk of its shots in the second stanza and has not recorded a first-half goal. Applying early pressure in a rivalry road game could help bring the Hounds one step closer to the Keystone Derby Cup on Saturday.
