Of all the ways Monday’s PIHL Class 3A semifinal game could have started, Seneca Valley would quickly trade reality for just about anything else.

The Raiders allowed three goals in the opening period and, though they returned to playing the brand of hockey that led them to 16 wins this season, never pulled even in a 4-2 loss to North Allegheny at Robert Morris University’s Island Sports Center.

“We knew it was going to be a game of momentum shifts,” said SV coach Anthony Raco. “Unfortunately, they got a lot of momentum early.”

Off an assist from Luke Walkauskas, Ed Scherer scored for NA just three minutes and 15 seconds into the game.

Walkauskas scored an unassisted goal nearly nine minutes later and Gianni Lochiatto followed with 48 seconds remaining in the period.

A game that was supposed to be close like the two regular season meetings was 3-0 after 17 minutes.

“Right away, we were able to establish pressure and caused turnovers,” said NA coach Andrew Siess. “That was the best period of hockey we’ve played all year, but to Seneca’s credit, they pushed us hard the rest of the way.”

As draining as the first period was for the Raiders (16-6), the second offered hope. Jacob Gilbert cut the deficit to 3-1 by putting a shot past NA goalie Camden Junker seven and a half minutes in.

Late in the period, the Raiders went on the power play and the puck never crossed the blue line. SV forced Junker to make four saves during the two-minute span and four other shots were blocked by NA skaters as the Tigers took a 3-1 lead into the second intermission.

Junker faced 31 shots in the game, but would have faced many more if not for his teammates sacrificing their bodies in front of him.

“Blocking shots, you can tell kids to do that, but you don’t always get it,” said Siess.

Marshall Hewitt scored for the Raiders less than three minutes into the final period and SV spent much of the remaining time hovering around the Tigers’ net.

NA was whistled for icing numerous times as the Tigers were simply trying to hold on.

“We were trying to get our shots low and create second-chance opportunities,” said Raco. “We had chances, but just couldn’t score that third goal.”

SV pulled goalie Cenzo DiTullio, who made 16 saves in the game, with 1:57 left. Marc Joyson ended SV’s hopes with an empty-net tally with 24 seconds on the clock.

Ian Uram and Ethan Lindberg both had an assist for Seneca Valley.

“I’m happy with the effort this season,” Raco said. “The players stuck with the game plan and played for each other.”

The Tigers (16-6) will face top-seeded Pine-Richland in the Penguins Cup final next Tuesday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.