Bob Kennedy is obviously a pretty darned good hockey coach.

He has led Pine-Richland to back-to-back Penguins Cup championships and currently has guided the Rams to a 24-0 record.

What you might not know about Kennedy, however, is that he is also fairly talented at predicting the future.

After posting only three points through the PIHL Class AAA playoffs to that point, Brandon Saad -- a freshman -- went off for a hat trick in leading the Rams to a 5-3 win against Bethel Park in the Penguins Cup title game Wednesday at Mellon Arena.

"I just had a feeling," Kennedy said.

"Brandon has been playing really well lately ... down the stretch and in the playoffs. He's just getting better and better. He's such a good player already, and he's just taking his game to another level. Even though he's only a freshman, I just had it in my mind this guy would be a key for us [Wednesday], and he certainly came through."

On the other hand, it doesn't take much of a Kreskin to know that Saad -- one of the area's top young hockey talents -- would so something special on the ice.

Having started skating and been playing hockey since not long after that, Saad has been part of the Pittsburgh Hornets' organization all through his youth.

He joined the Pine-Richland varsity team this season -- playing when his Hornets' schedule allowed -- and skated on a line with his brother, junior George Saad, and junior Dylan Trombetta. He posted 27 points (eight goals, 19 assists) in 13 games with Pine-Richland this season.

"Brandon ... he's just unreal, there's no better way to describe him than unreal," senior defenseman Tyler Deal said. "He's a freshman who has really stepped up, and with his brother here, it's been a good situation for him to step up and play with his brother.

"He, Dylan and George are an unbelievable line. They have the best chemistry of any line in Pennsylvania, I'd say. For him to step up like this as a freshman is amazing."

Amazing seems to be a common word floating around among Saad's teammates as a way to describe him.

"Brandon is just amazing," junior forward Eric Febert said. "He's the best player I've ever played with. He's going to the U.S. National team next year. He plays defense, he plays offense, he plays in all zones. He's just great."

That does seem to be the only possible scenario in which Saad doesn't continue to torture PIHL opponents -- if he doesn't play in the league anymore.

"I don't think he'll be here next year," Kennedy said, referring to the U.S. Hockey National Team Development Program.

Blessed with good size, speed and a wicked shot, Saad, for his part, will credit his linemates for his success. George Saad ranked 14th in scoring in PIHL Class AA last season with 45 points (14 goals, 31 assists), had 21 points in 13 regular-season games this year and has four goals and seven assists in four postseason games this year.

Trombetta -- who also played with a talented older sibling, Phil, at Pine-Richland -- led the Rams and ranked second in PIHL Class AAA with 44 points (28 goals, 16 assists) during the regular season. He led Class AA in scoring last season with 73 points.

"We've had great chemistry all year. It's been phenomenal," Brandon Saad said. "I love playing with these guys."

Pine-Richland will play in the Pennsylvania Cup Class AAA state championship game 3 p.m. Saturday at the War Memorial Arena in Johnstown.

The Rams will play either LaSalle or Holy Ghost Prep, who were scheduled to play yesterday in Philadelphia for the Flyers Cup crown.