The world -- the PIHL high school hockey world, at least -- as we know it didn't end Oct. 29.

In fact, it didn't take long for things to return to normal.

For the first time in two seasons, Greater Latrobe lost a game that day, 4-3, to Peters Township. But if having a 33-game PIHL winning streak that dated to Feb. 21, 2008, and included two Penguins Cups and two state championships had any ill effects on the psyche of the Wildcats, they haven't shown it.

Latrobe (7-1-1) beat fellow Class AA power Bishop Canevin in its next game and have been unbeaten in six games since that rare defeat.

"I've been real happy with how the team responded," coach Dan Ridder said. "They've been focused on the things we need to work on and have come together as a team and are playing team-oriented hockey again, like last year. I like the focus that they have right now."

Latrobe isn't as dominant as last season's state championship team was -- and how could it be, after the graduation of 11 seniors, many of them among the best players in the PIHL?

But even though the 2009-10 Wildcats won't be able to match their predecessors in terms of having an undefeated record, they still have aspirations to end their campaign in the same way. And a one-goal loss in October figures to have little bearing on whether that will happen. In fact, Ridder said the team turned getting beaten into a positive.

"It was a good chance to take a breath," Ridder said. "There's no pressure to run up the streak again. That's over now; it's just focusing on game-by-game now."

"It was good to see that every game that we play this year is not going to be easy and be a huge blowout or anything," said Tyler Ridder, the team's captain and Dan's son. "And it showed there's good competition out there, and we can learn from that game and move on and hopefully beat them the next game."

The Wildcats got a small measure of payback against Peters Township, tying the Indians, 3-3, last Thursday. That was the second of three meetings this season between the teams ranked Nos. 1-2 in PIHL Class AA and another possible preview of the Penguins Cup final. (The third regular season meeting is Jan. 4).

The Indians (7-1-3) are in first place in PIHL Class AA Section 1. Latrobe leads the Section 4 standings.

"We face Peters Township three times this season, and I think every single game against them is going to be exciting," Dan Ridder said.

"Our team looks forward to playing them. They're such a good team, and I think we match up pretty well. I think they look forward to playing us, too. The first game was excellent."

Depth was one of Latrobe's primary strengths for the championship teams of the past two seasons. Hard to believe, but even after losing 11 seniors, depth again is what sets the Wildcats apart.

Latrobe runs a full complement of three forward lines and three defensemen pairings throughout games. Ridder, alternate captain Dillon Hunter, Josh Harris and Chris Karnes are all seniors who help form an experienced defense corps. They are joined by junior Alec Koluder and freshman Robert Vasinko.

"A big plus this year is having four senior defensemen," Dan Ridder said.

Noah Batis led the team in scoring through eight games with five goals and 15 assists good for 20 points.

Jayson Angus and Cody Ray are the senior leaders of the forwards. Angus, an alternate captain, is tied for the team lead in scoring with 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in eight games. Junior Zach LaDuke fills out the line and is second on the team in goals with 10.

Bobby Johnson is another senior, and he centers a third line with sophomore Jake Koluder and junior Erik Dickerson.

The youngest line on the team is a second unit that consists of the Batis brothers -- freshman center Noah has a team-high 15 assists, and junior right wing Matt a team-high 12 goals -- and freshman Josh Singley.

Freshman Shane Brudnok and sophomore J.T. Douglas have been solid while alternating in goal in hopes of filling the large skates of Nick Loyacona, the Post-Gazette's player of the year last season.

"We lost a lot of [talent after] last year, but I think the kids we have this year are filling in the gaps pretty well," Dan Ridder said. "It's different, but at the same time, it's pretty much the same. They've all picked it up to the same level of play it will take to get us back to the same place we were last year."

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