Holy Ghost Prep 3 Malvern Prep 2 OT

It was an ending fit for a classic.  Chase Logue’s goal 6:58 into overtime gave Holy Ghost Prep a 3-2 win over Malvern Prep Thursday night in a Class AAA Flyers Cup semifinal at Hatfield Ice.

Top-seeded and defending champion Holy Ghost Prep (19-4) will move on to face La Salle in Tuesday’s championship game at this same venue. La Salle was a 4-1 winner over St. Joseph’s Prep in Thursday’s other semifinal.

The game-winning goal exemplified excellence. The Firebirds’ Lucas Gonzalez made a dash down the left wing and beat a Friar player to a loose puck along the wall at the Malvern Prep blue line. Gonzalez sent a backhand pass cross the ice and found Logue midway between the two circles. Logue unleashed a forehander that beat Malvern Prep goaltender Ryan Caterino.

{Gonzalez} made a great pass,” Logue said. “I saw a chance to go to the net, just took my chance and shot it, and it went in”

For the Firebirds, it was a narrow escape.

The fourth-seeded Friars, who closed their season at 6-12-2, struck first when Andrew Starck beat Holy Ghost Prep netminder Matt Salita 2:20 into the first period.

That opening goal set the tone for the evening.

“I think they were prepared,” Holy Ghost Prep defenseman and captain Chris Marshall said of the Friars. “They were ready to go. Their guys were fired up. They gave us a hell of a game.”

Jake Smaron tied the game for the Firebirds 12:32 into the first frame, but James Young’s solo effort put the Friars up 2-1 2:34 into the middle period.

Logue scored the last goal of regulation with 1:35 left in the second period.

The fact the Firebirds never led in the game until Logue’s game winner was not due to a lack of effort. The victors held a 25-14 advantage in shots over the last two periods of regulation plus overtime. That regulation ended in a deadlock was due in large measure to Caterino’s work in the Friar net; the senior logged 35 saves in his final high-school game,

Sudden-death overtime began with the teams changing ends (thus dealing with long changes) and a regulation-period length 17 minutes on the clock.

Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie had some instructions for his troops prior to the start of overtime.

“We needed to adjust offensive zone possession,” he said. “They were releasing a guy and taking a cycle off every time.

“We were trying to create some low-to-high chances, with our {defense} because they were just clogging the middle.

“So the biggest thing was keeping our guys steady and controlling our emotions. I think the experience of last year helped us.”

In the end the Firebirds moved on.  But the Friars’ effort resonated with everyone in the building.

“This was a resilient group of seniors that held this team together,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan. “It makes a difference when you have a good senior group, and they were the glue of this team.

“I thought we brought our best effort tonight. Taking Ghost to overtime in a Flyers Cup game; you couldn’t ask more from the boys. I’m proud of where we were tonight.”

Malvern Prep 1 1 0 0—2

Holy Ghost Prep 1 1 0 1—3

First-period goals: Andrew Starck (MP) from Jake Weingartner and Pax Hoishik, 2:29; Jake Smaron (HGP) from Lucas Gonzalez, 12:32                      

Second-period goals: James Young (MP) unassisted, 2:34; Chase Logue (HGP) from Gonzalez, 15:25

Overtime goal: Chase Logue (HGP) from Gonzalez 6:58

Shots: Malvern Prep 27, Holy Ghost Prep 38 Saves: Ryan Caterino (MP) 35; Matt Salita (HGP) 25                                                                 

North Penn 4 Downingtown West 1

Special teams matter more than ever come the postseason. Special-team situations worked to North Penn’s advantage Thursday night. The Knights overcame an early 1-0 deficit and scored twice on second-period power plays to separate themselves from Downingtown West en route to a 4-1 win in a Flyers Cup Class AA a semifinal at Hatfield Ice.

The top-seeded Knights (25-1) will attempt to complete a successful title defense Tuesday night against Boyertown, a 4-3 winner over Council Rock South in Thursday’s other semifinal.

From North Penn’s perspective, it was a performance that was more workmanlike than flamboyant.

“{Downingtown West} is a very good hockey team,” said North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis. “Their goalie (Justin Adams) is outstanding. We knew going in that it was going to be a tough game and it was.

“They got goal early, but we kept playing and kept working.”

The fifth-seeded Whippets (13-9-1) drew first blood when Brady Cusa opened the scoring 5:35 into the opening period. Joey Risa took a shot from the left wing. North Penn goaltender Andrew Norton made the save but lost track of the rebound and Cusa tucked the puck inside the left post.

Nolan Shingle responded for North Penn at the 9:52 mark however to send the teams into the second period on even terms.

The Whippets undermined themselves with penalties in the second frame. Colin Gordon was whistled for interference just 19 seconds into the period. It took Chris Silvotti just 44 additional seconds to respond with a power-play goal. Shingle’s second goal of the night, which came with 5:26 remaining in the period, was also a power-plays effort. James Boyle assisted on the goal to pick up the 100th point of his career.

“We always try to work on the power play,” Shingle said. “When you’re given a chance like that, you kind of have to capitalize, it can be a big momentum swinger.

“This whole season, we kind of have been on the other side of calls a lot, so I feel like every power play we get, we’ve got to make the most of it.”

Declan Leahy added the Knights’ fourth goal, with Boyle’s help, 4:56 into the third period.

 Now, it’s on to the finals where the Knights will try to become the first Class AA team in seven years to defend a Cup title. Shingle says the Knights are taking it a step at a time.

“That’s been a big thing this whole season,” Shingle said. “Don’t get too ahead of ourselves and just keep focused. “We’ve got to go into every game with the mentality that this team can beat us if we don’t come to play.”                                                                                                     

• Downingtown East in 2019 was the last Class AA team to mount a successful Flyers Cup defense. The Cougars won three straight titles from 2017-’19.

Downingtown West 1 0 0—1

North Penn 1 2 1—4

First-period goals: Brady Cusa (DW) from Joey Risa, 5:35; Nolan Shingle (NP) from Samuel Norton, 9:52

Second-period goals: Chris Silvotti (NP) from Ismael Cabrales, 1:03 (pp) Shingle (NP) from Norton and James Boyle, 11:34 (pp)

Third-period goals: Declan Leahy (NP) from Boyle, 4:56

Shots: Downingtown West 14, North Penn 40; Saves: Justin Adams (DW) 36, Andrew Norton (NP) 13

Flyers Cup Results Thursday, March 12

Class AA Semifinals

North Penn 4 Downingtown West 1—(see story)

Boyertown 4 Council Rock South 3—Brayden Kotzen scored  with 38 seconds left in regulation to give second-seeded Boyertown the come-from-behind win over the third-seeded Golden Hawks Thursday night at Ice Line.

The Bears (17-5), who will face North Penn in Tuesday’s final, never led until Kotzen’s game winner; the teams traded goals all evening.

Dylan Remick tied the game for Boyertown with 1:26 remaining in regulation; he also assisted on the game winner.

Jake Weiner scored the Golden Hawks’ first two goals, one in each of the first two periods. Allen Pronin also scored for South, which closed the season at 17-6.

Council Rock South 1 1 1—3

Boyertown 1 1 2—4

First-period goals: Jake Weiner (CRS) from Jordan Sarne, 7:55 (sh); Zach Rosen from Brayden Havrilla and Joseph Bilotta,  12:57

Second-period goals: Weiner (CRS) from Wesley Mallon, 9:55 (pp) Nate Ochranek (B) from Brayden Kotzen and Logan Brown, 11:04

Third-period goals: Allen Pronin (CRS) from Weiner and Trey Prozzillo, 4:54; Dylan Remick (B) from Jax Drost and Kotzen, 15:34; Kotzen (B) from Brown and Remick, 16:22

Shots: Council Rock South 20, Boyertown 27; Saves: Trey Prozzillo (CRS) 23, Lucas Yancey (B) 17

Class AAA Semifinals

Holy Ghost Prep 3 Malvern Prep 2 OT— (see story)

La Salle 4 St. Joseph’s Prep 1—Luke Bauman scored two goals and William Padulka and Patrick Lunsford also scored goals as the third-seeded Explorers (8-13) topped the second-seeded Hawks Thursday night at Ice Line.

John Greenwalt assisted on three goals for La Salle, which will face top-seeded defending champion Holy Ghost Prep in Tuesday’ final.

Cole Gargon scored for the second-seeded Hawks, who finished the season at 17-8.

The game was tied at 1-1 early in the second period when Baumann and Lunsford scored goals five minutes apart to give La Salle a 3-1 lead with 6:21 left in the period.

Baumann added his second goal 5:16 into the third period.

La Salle 1 2 1—4

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 0 0—1

First-period goals: William Padulka (L) unassisted, 9:47; Cole Gargon (SJP) from Michael Castelli, 14:07 (pp)

Second-period goals: Luke Baumann (L) from John Greenwalt, 5:33; Patrick Lunsford (L) from Greenwalt and Andrew Frantz, 10:39 (pp)

Third-period goal: Baumann (L) from Greenwalt and Lunsford, 5:16 (pp)

Shots; St. Joseph’s Prep 41, La Salle 23; saves: Declan Geary (SJP) 19, Anthony Foster (L) 40

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Flyers Cup Class AA Semifinals Preview

  1. North Penn vs. 5. Downingtown West 8:45 at Hatfield Ice
  1. North Penn

Coach: Kevin Vaitis

Record: 24-1

Key players: So. Andy Norton .927 save %; Sr. James Boyle 2 goals, 0 assists, 2 points in tournament; Jr. Samuel Norton 3-4-7; Sr. Nolan Shingle (F), 3-5-8

In this tournament: Def. Shawnee 9-2 in first round; def. Owen J. Roberts 6-3 in quarterfinals

5. Downingtown West

    Coach: Brett Mackell

    Record: 13-8-1

    Key players: Sr. Justin Adams .926 save %; So. Peter Budaj 0 goals, 8 assists, 8 points; Jr. Braiden Maya 3-1-4; Jr. Brady Cusa 2-2-4; Logan Brown 2-2-4; Nate Ochranek 2-2-4

    In this tournament: Def. Pennridge 6-2 in first round; def.      C.B. East 6-2 in quarterfinals

2. Boyertown vs. 3 Council Rock South   8:30 at Ice Line

2. Boyertown

Coach: Joe Slowik

Record: 16-5

Key players: Lucas Yancey .915 save % Brayden Kotzen 5 goals, 2 assists, 7 points; Declan Black 0-4-4;

In this tournament: Def. Souderton 12-2 in first round: def. Pennsbury 5-3 in quarterfinals

3. Council Rock South   

Coach: Joe Houk                                                    

Record: 17-5

Key players: Trey Prozzillo .922 save %; Jake Weiner 6 goals, 1 assist, 7 points; Jordan Sarne 2-1-3; Connor Holland 1-1-2

    In this tournament: Def. Spring-Ford 6-3 in first round; def. C.B. South 3-1 in quarterfinals:

Ice chips: North Penn is attempting to become the first Class AA champion to successfully defend since Downingtown East in 2019.  Last year’s title was its first. Council Rock South won championships in 2009, ’11, and ’12. Downingtown West and Boyertown are each seeking their first Flyers Cup.

Flyers Cup Class AAA Semifinals Preview

Thursday, March 12

  1. Holy Ghost Prep vs. 4 Malvern Prep 8:45 at Hatfield Ice
  1. Holy Ghost Prep

Coach: John Ritchie

Record: 18-4

Key players: Matt Salita .956 save %; Chase Logue 27 goals, 6 assists, 33 points; Lucas Gonzalez 11-12-23; Anthony Valeriote 7-16-23

In this tournament: Had a bye in the quarterfinals

4. Malvern Prep

    Coach: Bill  Keenan

    Record: 6-11-2

    Key players: Ryan Corrado .908 save % Jake Weingartner 7 goals, 13 assists, 20 points, Pax Hoishik 7-10-17; Logan Love 4-3-7

    In this tournament: Def. Devon Prep 6-4 in quarterfinals

2. St. Joseph’s Prep vs. 3. La Salle 6:30 at Ice Line

2. St. Joseph’s Prep

Coach:  Charlie Van Kula

      Record:17-7

       Key players: Declan Geary .929 save %; Cole Gargon 16oals, 13 assists, 29 points; Bradan Fisher 11-14-25; Michael Washlick 9-11-20

       In this tournament:  Def. Salesianum 8-0 in quarterfinals

  • La Salle

    Coach: Wally Muehlbronner                                                     

    Record: 7-13

    Key players: Anthony Foster .918 save %; Thomas Leonards 13 goals, 2 assists, 15 points; Patrick Lunsford 6-8-14; Andrew Frantz 4-8-12

    In this tournament; Def. Father Judge 6-2 in quarterfinals

    Ice  chips: The four APAC schools in this year’s semifinals have won 14 consecutive Class AAA Flyers Cup titles and 17 of the last 18. All told, La Salle has win 13 Flyers Cups (including one in Class AA), Malvern Prep 10, Holy Ghost Prep 5 (one in Class AA) and St. Joseph’s Prep 1.

Malvern Prep won a record five straight Cups from 2001-05.

Class A Flyers Cup Semifinals

Hershey 7 West Chester East 1

 The top-seeded Trojans scored four goals in the first period and went on to a 7-1 win over the fourth-seeded Vikings in a Class A Flyers Cup semifinal Tuesday night at Ice Line. Blake Umberger and Callan Peterson scored twice each for Hershey. Bryce Erwin, Cameron Kertulis, and Brady Cox also scored for Hershey, which won this tournament two years ago.

Cole Pariseault scored the only goal for the fourth-seeded Vikings in the third period.

West Chester East 0 0 1—1

Hershey 4 1 2—7

Penncrest 5 Kennett 2

Trailing 1-0 in the first period, the second-seeded Lions reeled off five straight goals to post a Class A semifinal win at Ice Line Tuesday night.

Keane Naugle, Nash Grant, and Benett Sullivan scored goals before the first period ended. Christian Vernacchio and Sebouh Flett added goals in the second.

Luke Ganly  and Lucas Mott scored goals for the third-seeded Blue Demons

Kennett 1 0 1—2

Penncrest 3 2 0—5

What Lies Ahead/Flyers Cup Schedule

Here is the schedule for the remainder of the 47th Flyers Cup

Fifteen of the top 16 seeds (four in each classification) have reached the semifinals.

Tuesday March 10

Class A Semifinals

Hershey 7 West Chester East 1

Penncrest 5 Kennett 2

Wednesday, March 11

Girls Semifinals

Avon Grove 9 West Chester East 1

Lower Merion 3 Downingtown West 2

Thursday, March 12

Class AAA Semifinals

  1. Holy Ghost Prep vs 4. Malvern Prep        8:45 at Hatfield Ice
  2. St. Joseph’s Prep vs. 3. La Salle                6:30 at Ice Line

Class AA Semifinals

  1. North Penn vs 5. Downingtown West      6:30 at Hatfield Ice
  2. Boyertown vs 3. Council Rock South        8:30 at Ice Line

Monday, Match 16

Class A Final                  6:30 at Ice Line

Tuesday, March 17

Class AA Final       TBD at Hatfield

Class AAA Final     TBD at Hatfield

Thursday, March 19

Girls Final            7:00 at PNY

North Penn 6 Owen J. Roberts 3

Over the course of his four-year career at North Penn, James Boyle has made it a point to step up when his team needed him most. He came up big Thursday night.

Boyle set the tone by scoring his team’s first two goals in the second period as the Knights bested Owen J. Roberts 6-3 at Hatfield Ice Arena to advance to the Class AA Flyers Cup semifinals. The top-seeded and defending-champion Knights (24-1) will face fourth seed Downingtown West next Thursday in the semifinal at the same venue (6:30 start).

Boyle, who is regarded as one of the area’s premier defensemen, missed Tuesday’s first-round win over Shawnee due to illness.

“It was good to get back,” he said, and get a couple right away.”

North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis cited Boyle’s contributions to the Knights’ success over the past two seasons.

“I said at one point that {North Penn’s Samuel Norton} is probably the best player in the league,” Vaitis said, “but James is right up there. He’s honestly, the energy of this team.

“We won on Tuesday but it wasn’t our best game. We were missing something; were missing James.”

The evening’s opening goal was set up when Norton made a dash down the left wing and made a cross-ice pass to Boyle who collected the puck between the circles and beat Wildcat goaltender Page Faith on the netminder’s glove/left side 6:55 into the frame. It was his 16th goal of the season.

His 17th came five-and-a-half minutes later when Vaitis used his timeout with the Knights in the midst of an extended power play; the Wildcats’ Maximillian Connell was serving a double minor for boarding and unsportsmanlike conduct. One minute, 37 seconds later, Quinn Rafter was sent off for slashing Vaitis took advantage of the situation to give his power-play unit a breather.

“I think that was huge,” Boyle said, “to settle down and just gather ourselves to capitalize on the five-on-three. I think we needed it, just to settle ourselves down.”

North Penn’s two-man advantage was extended when the Wildcats’ Jaxton Rafter drew a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct followed by a 10-minute misconduct and a game misconduct

By the time things had quieted down, Nolan Shingle and Chris Silvotti had added power play goals and North Penn had a 4-0 lead.

“We had a full five-on-three for two minutes,” Vaitis said. “It was a 1-0 game at the time. Our power play unit was out there at the beginning of {the four-minute power play}. We called a timeout to draw a couple things up, but also to give them a breather.

“It was a big moment for us, and the boys did a great job on that power play.”

Declan Leahy extended North Penn’s lead 5:38 into the third period before Brody Majcher got Owen J. Roberts (13-8) on the scoreboard with 9:42 left in regulation. Shingle added a sixth goal for the Knights before Richie Pupek and Tyler Moyer added goals for the Wildcats.

Emotions were on edge throughout the final period. By evening’s end, each team had been called for 10 penalties.

Now the Knights will prepare for Downingtown West.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” Vaitis said. “They’re a good team down there in the Intercounty League. We have some time off here to go rest up, practice Monday, watch some film on Monday, and get ready for therm.”

Owen J. Roberts 0 0 3—3

North Penn 0 4 2—6

Second-period goals: James Boyle (NP) from Samuel Norton and Nolan Shingle, 6:55; Boyle (NP) from Norton, 12:18: Shingle (MP) from Ismael Cabrales and Norton, 13:21; Chris Silvotti (NP) from Shingle, 14:21

Third-period goals: Declan Leahy from Silvotti and Gavin Lombardi, 4:38; Brody Majcher (OJR) from Colin Daugherty, 7:18; Norton (MP) from Shingle, 9:44; Richie Pupek (OJR) from Daugherty, 14:14; Tyler Moyer (OJR) from Majcher and Tanner Nau, 15:21

Shots:  OJR 41, North Penn 50; Saves: Page Faith (OJR) 44, Andy Norton (NP) 38