MT. LEBANON - Seneca Valley’s hockey team learned its lessons well in two regular season losses to Mt. Lebanon.

The Raiders had given up seven combined goals in losses of 3-1 and 4-2 to the Blue Devils.

With their season on the line Monday, the Raiders’ defense stiffened and SV scored a 4-1 win in a PIHL Class 3A quarterfinal at Mt. Lebanon Ice Complex.

“We played more physical tonight and that affected how they played against us,” said SV senior forward Shane Kozlina, who scored twice and added an assist in the win, which snapped Lebo’s seven-game winning streak. “Even though they beat us twice, both games were close and we were confident coming in here.”

Sophomore goalie Jonathan Nichols frustrated Mt. Lebanon’s attack almost the entire game. The Blue Devils (12-9) were held scoreless until Conner Ribstein’s goal that cut SV’s lead to 2-1 with 6:56 left in the game. It was all Nichols would allow and he finished with 25 saves.

Jonathan Leishman staked the Raiders to a 1-0 lead when he put a rebound past Lebo goalie Tommy Schubert with 1:02 left in the first period.

That’s where the score remained until a crucial sequence late in the second period.

Nichols denied Mt. Lebanon forward Sam Falbo on a breakaway with 4:05 left. Eighteen seconds later, Shane Kozlina beat Schubert for a 2-0 lead.

It was one of several impressive saves from Nichols.

“When your goalie is making saves like that,” it energizes the whole bench,” Raco said. “Jonathan played a great game.”

Raco said his team cut down on the chances it took, made easier after the Raiders (12-9) grabbed the lead.

“Defensively, a key for us was if we weren’t sure what we had, we just ate the puck.”

Andrew Davis scored SV’s third goal with 4:02 left in the game. Kozlina added an empty-net tally with 1:44 remaining.

Kozlina now has 14 goals and 15 assists this season.

“He plays the game the right way and is always talking to his line mates,” said Raco. “He has a good all-around game.”

Schubert stopped 20 shots for the Blue Devils.

The Raiders advance to next Monday’s semifinal round where they will face the winner of Tuesday’s quarterfinal between top-seeded North Allegheny and Bethel Park.