NEVILLE ISLAND — Mars hockey coach Steve Meyers doesn't want to make too big of a deal out of a high school hockey game.

But when the Planets meet Quaker Valley in the Class A Penguins Cup at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Consol Energy Center, there's no ignoring the history.

The Quakers beat Mars in the PIHL's title game in 2008, 2012 and 2013.

Quaker Valley also topped the Planets twice, 6-4 and 7-5, earlier this season to capture the Western Conference crown.

“It's a great rivalry. It's good for people that follow the league and it's interesting for them to pay attention to,” Meyers said. “I think it adds a little extra flair to the game. There's so much turnover with kids.

“But it's the same coaching staffs and teams and it's fun to be in big games like that.”

The two teams have combined to win eight of the past nine Penguins Cup titles.

Mars (19-4-1) won three straight from 2009-11. Quaker Valley also won in 2014 and 2006.

Planets senior defenseman Ian Houk-Graves is happy to have one last chance to beat the Quakers.

“Finally getting to say we can beat them in the Penguins Cup,” Houk-Graves said about what he's looking forward to. “The past two years we played them and they've always got the upper hand on us. I think we're more evenly matched this year.”

Quaker Valley (21-1-1) advanced to the finals with a 3-2 overtime win over Hempfield.

The Quakers' offense is loaded with high-end forwards. Quaker Valley scored 170 regular-season goals and has two players — Adam Pilewicz and Connor Quinn — who average over four points per game.

Pilewicz was second in Class A with 99 points (46 goals, 53 assists), while Quinn was fourth with 96 (46, 50).

Connor, who is the son of Quaker valley coach Kevin Quinn, tallied 11 short-handed goals this season, including the overtime winner against the Spartans.

Kevin Quinn didn't return calls seeking comment.

Houk-Graves thinks Mars needs to be ready if the Quakers score first.

“Mentally calm down,” Houk-Graves said. “Every time they get up on us a goal or two, we break down. This time it's not going to happen. We're going to stick to what we do.”

Mars' offense — which produced 162 regular-season goals — doesn't have a dominant scorer. Paul Maust (29 goals) and Beau Heakins (22) were the only 20-goal scorers.

Both of those players missed time due to club commitments.

“We didn't have a full team at practice for three months of the season,” said Mars junior forward Owen Vasbinder, who scored the overtime winner against Deer Lakes in the semifinals. “We gathered everyone in and it's nice working with everyone.”

Meyers doesn't plan on changing much.

Mars beat Quaker Valley 6-1 in the St. Margaret's preseason tournament.

The Planets hope they can recapture the magic to get one over on the Quakers.

“We played them tough all three times this year,” Meyers said. “We're going to keep doing the things we do and it's a one-off playoff, anything can happen. We're not going to over-think things.”

Butler will make its first Penguins Cup appearance Saturday, but Butler County schools — Mars in particular — have had their fair share of appearances on the big stage. County schools are 4-5 all-time in the PIHL finals, here’s how they’ve fared:County Team Opponent Year Result ScoresMars Quaker Valley 2013 L 5-1Mars Quaker Valley 2012 L 4-2Mars Hampton 2011 W 5-0Mars Serra Catholic 2010 W 4-1Seneca Valley Canon-McMillan 2010 L 3-2*Mars Bishop McCort 2009 W 3-2Seneca Valley Shaler 2009 L 3-2*Mars Quaker Valley 2008 L 3-1Freeport Quaker Valley 2007 W 4-1*Overtime