Pennridge 5, Central Bucks South 1

By Rick Woelfel

HATFIELD—It wasn’t a flashy performance. But it was a model of efficiency.

Blake Stewart and Arek Lehrhaupt each scored twice to lead Pennridge to a 5-1 win over Central Bucks South in a SHSHL National/Continental matchup Thursday night at Hatfield Ice.
It was the second win for the Rams (2-1 overall, 0-1 in league play) in two nights.

Rams coach Jeff Montagna was pleased his team stepped up after a subpar, albeit winning effort against Central Bucks West on Wednesday.

“It was boring in a good way,” he said. “I have not been happy at all the first two nights (including an opening night-loss to Pennsbury), especially defensively. They did a really nice job just keeping things simple, and once we got the lead, not giving (South) a whole lot of life.”

Aidan Boyle got things started for the Rams when he beat Madison Ambler with a forehander from midway between the two circles 9:13 into the first frame. Lehrhaupt made it 2-0 at 11:50 with a shot from the edge of the right circle on an odd-man situation.

The Titans got on the board when Garrett Sklar beat Ryan Pico in the Pennridge net 6:31 into the middle period but that was all they could manage.

“We were outworked and outplayed,” said South coach Shaun McGinty, “and only a few players showed up. We need to win the corner battles and the battles in the defensive zone.”

Stewart restored the Rams’ two goal lead at the 7:59 mark of the period., then widened the margin with his second goal of the game 8:10 into the third frame. Stewart, who is the Pennridge captain, was pleased to see his team bounce back after an off night 24 hours earlier, but still wasn’t satisfied

“(Wednesday night) was pretty sloppy,” he said, “but we went home, we thought about the game and came out here and forced things that we needed to do tonight. It was much better, but without being on the ice very much, all that’s a little tough.”

Lehrhaupt finished the scoring with 1:09 left in the game.

The Rams are one of the most experienced teams in the SHSHL Montagna is counting on leadership from his veterans to help them reach their potential. “I told them ‘It’s on you guys’” he said. “Guys that have played for me for three, four years, they have to lead this team and have to set the example … and I didn’t think the first nights they did that.”

Montagna cited Stewart’s leadership abilities but also the responsibility that comes with wearing the captain’s C.

“He has to lead us and a couple of the other guys have to lead us,” Montagna said, “And they did that tonight.”

Pico and Ambler made 21 saves apiece. Ambler was in goal in place of veteran Mason Moyer who has been unavailable for the Titans’ first two games.

Pennridge 2 1 2—5
C.B. South 0 1 0—1
First-period goals: Aidan Boyle (P) from Andrew David, 9:13; Arek Lehrhaupt (P) from Jeff Manto, 11:50.
Second-period goals: Garrett Sklar (CBS) from Aydin Thierolf, 6:31; Blake Stewart (P) from Andrew David, 7:59.
Third-period goals: Stewart (P) from Richie Shanks and Boyle, 8:10; Lehrhaupt (P) from Manto, 14:51.
Shots: Pennridge 26, C.B. South 22; Saves: Ryan Pico (P) 21, Madison Ambler (CBS) 21.

La Salle’s David Kimmel a Serious Student of Hockey

David Kimmel is counting the days. The La Salle senior is eagerly anticipating next Friday, January 29 when he and his Explorer teammates will open the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference season against Holy Ghost Prep.

Kimmel, who is primarily a center, has been practicing and playing occasional games with his club team. But the Covid-19 pandemic has kept the APAC teams off the ice for much of the last month-and-a-half, save for occasional practices.

“It’s definitely been very different,” Kimmel said. “We haven’t been able to get into school all that often; we’re in a hybrid mode, like every other day, so we’ve relied on technology to communicate and choose to kind of keep our hopes up about when we’re hoping to be able to start the season.

“And when we’re at the rink itself, it’s very different. Having to get dressed all separated, not having that locker room camaraderie that every hockey player enjoys. So, it’s definitely been very different this year. We had to get dressed six feet apart and we weren’t able to bond in the locker room like we have been in previous years.”

While he hasn’t seen a lot of game action this season, Kimmel is taking advantage of the practice time he’s getting with his club team.

“Our practice schedule has been virtually unchanged,” he said, “so I’ve been able to keep my stamina up, working hard to stay in shape for when (La Salle games begin). Just being on the ice at least three times a week has really helped me to keep in the flow of hockey and avoid any minor setbacks that could start at the beginning of the season.”

Kimmel, who is primarily a center, has also watched a lot of hockey, specifically the recent World Junior Championships; he watched virtually every game the United States played and a lot of Team Canada as well. For someone as committed to hockey as Kimmel, the tournament was a learning experience.

“I think it’s amazing that the players are just a couple years older than (high-school players),” he said. “They look like they could complete with the best of NHL players. Watching them is definitely a really big advantage to my game.

Kimmel enjoys studying players who play his position. “I like to kind of focus on one player that would match my position out there on the ice,” he said, “and just notice everything that he does well. Also, having the overhead perspective, I can see some of the things that maybe he could have done better and then try to envision my own self on the ice and think what I would do in that scenario.”

When he’s watching televised hockey, Kimmel views the game differently than a casual fan would because of his on-ice experience. “I would say most people that don’t have a hockey mind would focus on the scoring plays,” he said. “I’m just taking note of key passes that kind of start plays and generate scoring chances, and also defensive positioning and shot blocking, especially in the final seconds of the U.S.-Finland game (in the World Junior semifinals); a couple US players laid out their bodies on the line and that’s nothing I think a normal hockey fan would notice.

“And then also there just so many skillful plays that largely go unnoticed, like (plays) in the corners and ways to get the puck on net. People who haven’t really played hockey wouldn’t understand how difficult it is.”

Seeing some of the plays world-class junior players are capable of making got Kimmel thinking about what he could add to his own game. “You just get a lot of creative ideas from what they’re doing, he said.” So, I definitely like to take note of the special things that I see out there.”

William Tennent 11, Quakertown 2

WARMINSTER—William Tennent is skating in new surroundings this season. The Panthers have shifted from the Continental to the American Division of the Suburban High School Hockey League for 2021.

On Wednesday night, they looked very much at home in their new enviornment. Frank Rosenberry scored four goals and assisted on another as the Panthers sped past Quakertown 11-2 at the Bucks County Ice Sports Center.

Like Tennent (1-1), Quakertown (0-1-0-1) switched divisions this season.

Tennent coach Nick D’Aurizio was impressed with the way his troops responded after a season-opening 10-goal loss to Wissahickon one week ago.

“I think the jitters were there last week,” he said, “playing a new team last week. It’s a different season, a different situation.

“We didn’t come ready to play last week. When the puck dropped tonight, we looked like we were ready to go.”

The game stayed close well into the second period. Tennent’s Matthew Castan and Quakertown’s Jack Dilberto traded goals in the first frame before Rosenberry gave Tennent the lead when he scored off a scramble in front of the net with 45 seconds left in the period.

Rosenberry scored his second goal of the game 2:08 into the middle period. That was a prelude to his team breaking the game open with three additional goals in a span of two minutes, 30 seconds. Bryan Mesaro scored the first goal of the flurry before Rosenberry added his third and fourth goals of the evening.

Quakertown coach Keith Krem noted that turnovers caused his team difficulties. “Turnovers and pinches,” he said. “We’ve got to be more defensively sound and more conservative on the back end.

Krem said some of his team’s miscues were the result of poor decision making. “Especially when we got down a couple goals,” he said. “We tended to start forcing some things and just made some risker decisions. (Tennent) was pretty sound in just getting pucks in behind us.”

Castan joined Rosenberry as a multiple-goal scorer for Tennent. He contributed two, along with two assists.

D’Aurizio shuffled his lines after the loss to Wissahickon and his formula produced some impressive results.

“We mixed the lines up a lot since last week,” he said, “Monday we worked on two new line combinations and I think these combinations actually clicked. That’s what it’s all about, tweaking the lineup to find what’s going to fit.”

Notes: Tennent had a 43-24 edge in shots. Thomas Lomas got the win between the pipes. His best work came on back-to-back shots from close range not quite midway through the third period.

Quakertown 1 0 1—2

William Tennent 2 5 4—11

First-period goals: Matthew Castan (WT) from Nate Silberman and Gavin Loughlin, 8:09; Jack Dilberto (Q) from William Wilson, 10:27; Frank Rosenberry (WT) from Silberman, 15:15.

Second-period goals: Rosenberry (WT) from Castan, 2:08; Bryan Mesaro (WT) unassisted, 7:17; Rosenberry (WT) from Justin Carrelli, 9:05 (pp); Rosenberry from Casran and David Parkinson, 9:47; Casrfan (WT) from Jagger Azvolinski, 12:37.

Third-period goals: Carelli (WT) unassisted, 5:39; Azvolinski (WT) from Zach Devor and Walt Wolaniuk, 6:49; Devor (WT) unassisted, 11:33; Maxwell Jallboot (Q) from Anthony Pagliei, 14:29; Carelli (WT) from Rosenberry, 15:48.

Shots: Quakertown 24, William Tennent 43; Saves: Austin Sroudt (Q) 32, Thomas Lomas (WT) 22

SHSHL Update

Standings through 1-15-21

National/Continental Divisdions W L T OTL Pts

Central Bucks East 1 0 0 0 2

Council Rick South 1 0 0 0 2

Neshaminy 1 0 0 0 2

North Penn 1 0 0 0 2

Pennridge 0 0 0 0 0

Pennsbury 0 0 0 1 1

Central Bucks South 0 1 0 0 0

Central Bucks West 0 1 0 0 0

Souderton 0 1 0 0 0

American Division W L T OTL Pts

Wissahickon 1 0 0 0 2

Abington 1 0 0 2 2

Hatboro-Horsham 1 1 0 0 0

Quakertown 0 0 0 1 1

Truman 0 0 0 1 1

Plymouth Whitemarsh 0 1 0 0 0

William Tenennt 0 1 0 0 0

Malvern Prep 9, West Chester East 5

Jack Constabile scored three goals and six other players scored one goal each as Malvern Prep downed West Chester East 9-5 Thursday night at Ice Line.

The Friars put the game away by scoring three times in a five-minute span in the third period.

Anthony Perti got the win in goal, making 16 saves.

Malvern Prep (3-0) is the only Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference team to have played a game this season because of Covid-19 issues.

West Chester East 1 3 1—5

Malvern Prep 1 5 3—9

Central Bucks East 11, Central Bucks West 1

HATFIELD— Like other high-school teams in the area, Central Bucks East waited a long time to play hockey. The Patriots took the ice against Central Bucks West Thursday night at Hatfield Ice with an abundance of energy and it showed.

Adam Bostock scored five goals as the Patriots rolled to an 11-1 season-opening SHSHL win.
With one of the area’s most experienced lineups on hand, East enters the season with high expectations. Thursday’s performance did nothing to diminish those expectations.

Bostock gave his team the lead just 56 seconds after the opening faceoff. He completed a hat trick before the first period ended with his team leading 6-0. But three other players also scored goals, a sign of the balance the Patriots are looking to find.

“It’s hard to get a solid third or fourth line running around,” said East coach Jeff Mitchell. “But, I’m mainly going to put that on my upperclassmen. They’re their on the first and second lines to to show the lesser lines what to do, where their other guys are at. It’s just communication and chemistry,”

The Patriots stretched the lead to 9-0 by the end of the second frame. Bostock, a senior, stressed the importance of the veterans showing the way.

“I think it’s very important for the seniors to step up and lead the younger guys,” he said. “The younger guys are going to have four more years of this, so we have to teach them how to do it and continue the legacy for us at East.”

Chris Mangiacapre joined Bostock as a multiple-goal scorer, scoring twice. Matt Mangiacapre finished his night’s work with 19 saves in goal.

Ryan Haywood scored West’s only goal 4:11 into the third period. For a young Bucks squad, Thursday’s game was baptism under live fire. Kyle Fasolak started in goal but was relieved by Liam Rogers before the first period ended.Rogers wound up being credited with 56 saves.

“What our job is right now is take a young group and teach them how to play,” said West coach Dave Baun, “and get them to play as a team and play up to their capabilities.

“I think we have some talent, we have some players with good attitudes, and if you have thosetwo things they can take you a long way.”

Notes—Chris McIntryre, who was expected to be the Patriots’ starting goaltender this year, has given up hockey. McIntyre, a senior, is planning to enlist in the United States Marine Corps following graduation.

C.B. East 6 3 2—11
C.B. West 0 0 1—1
First-period goals: Adam Bostock (CBE) unassisted, :56; Chris Mangiacapre (CBE) from Bostock, second assist unavailable, 1:41; Bostock (CBE) from Connor Keiser and Ian Treger, 6:39; Tyler Godwin (CBE) from Keiser and Treger, 7:33; Phil McIntyre (CBE) unassisted, 9:56.
Second-period goals: Bogdan Bordadenko (CBE) from Bostock and Keiser, 1:33 (pp); Bostock (CBE) from Boradenko and McIntyre, 5:16; Chris Mangiacapre (CBE) from Ryan Gerken and Chris Asimakopoulos, 8:18.
Third-period goals: Ryan Haywood (CBW) from Nick Bruno, 4:14; Keiser (CBE) from Shane West, 7:12; Bostock (CBE) unassisted, 10:43.
(Game terminated via 10-goal rule).
Shots: C.B. East 72, C.B. West 20; Saves: Matt Mangiacapre (CBE) 19; Kyle Fasolak (CBW) 5 and Liam Rogers (CBW) 56

In other games:

Hatboro-Horsham 7, Plymouth Whitemarsh 5

North Penn 10, Souderton 0

Malvern Prep 9, West Chester East 5

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Council Rock South 5, Central Bucks South 3

HATFIELD—At a time when familiarity is difficult to come by, there was something reassuring about Wednesday’s Suburban High School Hockey League season opener between Central Bucks South and Council Rock South.

There were no spectators in the stands and the players came to the rink dressed instead of utilizing the locker rooms at Hatfield. But it was business as usual once the teams hit the ice.

Kevin Koles’s long-range goal with 4:58 left in regulation proved to be the game winner as the Golden Hawks scored a 5-3 decision.

Jeremy Purcell put the puck in an empty net with six seconds left to complete the scoring; it was his second goal of the game.

Purcell was happy to get back on the ice with his teammates. “It feels good,” he said. “It’s been a long time, especially with that month off (break in the preseason). But it felt good, it felt good to be out there.”

The Golden Hawks were awarded the only power play of the game just 56 seconds into the opening period. They didn’t score during the man advantage but Doug Lopez put in a rebound at the 3:17 mark to give his team a 1-0 lead, beating Titan netminder Dominic Varacallo. Varacallo drew the assignment in goal in place of veteran Mason Moyer who was not dressed.

Aydin Thierolf tied the game for the Titans at the 8:38 mark before Daniel Kvecher finished a dash down the right wing by putting the puck behind Golden Hawk goaltender Carson Lopez to give the Titans the lead just 36 seconds later.

That lead was short lived. Julian Wagenmann tied the game with 32 seconds when he tipped in Kyle Boss’s original shot.

At period’s end, the Golden Hawks changed goaltenders Lopez left the game because of illness and veteran Jimmy Sweeney took over.

The Golden Hawks took the lead for the second time when Purcell scored just seven seconds into the period but the Titans tied the game at the 4:53 mark and had the better of the play for much of the rest of the period, but never got the lead back.

“We had a slow start,” said Titan coach Shaun McGinty. “We had our chances. We need to capitalize on them.”

The third period was scoreless until Koles’s late-game heroics. For a young Golden Hawks team, it was a good beginning.

“It was okay, they did well,” said Council Rock South coach Joe Houk. ”I told them ‘Keep it simple, don’t over pursue things.’”

Council Rock South 2 1 2—5

Central Bucks South 2 1 0—3

Shots: C.R. South 17, C.B. South 23; Saves: Carson Lopez (CRS) 7 and Jimmy Sweeney (CRS) 13; Dominic Varacallo (CBS) 12

The Road Ahead

The path to the start of the hockey season has been difficult to navigate to stay the least. But all interested parties now parties now have a road map that shows a route all the way to the end of the season.

The Inter County Scholastic Hockey League (ICSHL) launched its 2021 campaign last Friday and the Suburban High School Hockey League is kicking off its season this week.

Meantime, the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference (APAC) remains on hold, on deference to the Covid-19 restrictions which are still in place in the City of Philadelphia and have mandated the closing of ice rinks, specifically the Class of 1923 rink at the University of Pennsylvania and the Flyers Skatezonein Northeast Philadelphia.Those restrictions are scheduled to be lifted this Friday, January 15.

APAC Commissioner Jim Britt said the conference is aiming at a February 1 start date. “The teams are making the final tweaks for APAC games and crossovers against selected ICSHL Class AAA teams,” he said.”

Britt praised the coaches and school administrators at the four APAC schools for their efforts to bring the 2021 season to fruition.

““Everyone was disappointed last March when the 2020 Flyers Cup was paused & eventually cancelled,” he said. “The APAC coaching staffs & administrators have been working hard to provide the best & safest 2021 experience possible, being creative & flexible as we navigate the challenges. We’re all looking forward to getting back on the ice.”

As for the 2021 Flyers Cup tournament, Flyers Cup Committee President Eric Tye indicated that the field for this year’s tournament will be announced on Sunday, March 28. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 5 and conclude on Thursday, April 15.

Those dates are subject to change if the season is interrupted because of Covid issues or some other cause.

The state championship games are scheduled for Saturday, April 24 in Pittsburgh.

Here’s the Lineup

Here’s the cast of characters for the Suburban High School Hockey League’s 48th season.

National/Continental Divisions

Council Rock South

Coach: Joe Houk (15^thseason)

Last Year: 14-6-0-1

Key players: Jr. Jimmy Sweeney (G); So. Carson Lopez (G); Sr. Brennen Wright (D); Sr. Kyle Schneider (D); Sr. Doug Lopez (F); Sr. Jeremy Purcell (F).

Outlook: The defending SHSHL Class AA champions will be dealing with numbers issues this season. Five players who played key roles on last year’s team and were eligible to return did not. But there is experience on hand, including Sweeney and Lopez in goal, Wright and Schneider on the blue line and Purcell up front.

“We’ll be competitive,” Houk said, “but we’ll need to work for every win. It’s a good group of hardworking boys and I look forward to getting started.”

Central Bucks East

Coach: Jeff Mitchell (first season)

Last year: 10-6-1-1

Key players: Sr. Chris McIntyre (G); Sr. Conner Keiser (D); Sr. Conner Hausner (F); Jr. Phil McIntyre (F).

Outlook: Mitchell takes over for Ken Latchum who in two tours of duty spent a total of 12 years behind the Patriots’ bench. His roster will feature a solid corps of seniors led by Chris McIntyre in goal and Keiser on the blue line.

“These young men are looking to make a statement this year” Mitchell said. “They have a lot to prove before they move onto their everyday lives”

Central Bucks West

Coach: Dave Baun (17^thseason)

Last year: 7-7-2

Key players: Sr. Keith Orlando (F); Jr. Evan Hee (D); Jr. Grant Funseth (D); Sr. Ben Morris (F); Jr. Reese Dalzell (D).

Outlook: Baun, the senior coach in the SHSHL in terms of longevity, will be directing one of the youngest teams he’s ever had.

“We are as young and as new as we’ve been in years,” he said. “But, we also have some of the best attitudes and hardest workers we’ve seen in a while and when you have that, a lot of good things are possible.”

Central Bucks South

Coach: Shaun McGinty (seventh season)

Last year: 21-4

Key players: Sr. Mason Moyer (G); Jr. Daniel Kevecher (F); Jr. Aidan Gaffney (F); Sr. Owen Mendham (D); So. Matt Crouch (D).

Outlook: The Titans suffered some graduation hits in the off season but dome key veterans return, including Moyer in goal. The seven-time SHSHL Class AA champions should be as dangerous as usual.

“Our goal each tear is to win,” McGinty said. “Our focus is on hard work, sacrifice, and discipline. There is no other way.”

Neshaminy

Coach: Matt DeMatteo

Last year: 12-4-0-1

Key players: Sr. Robbie Seewagen (F); Sr. Thomas Gallagher (F); Sr. Matt Buchinski (D); So. Brian Nelson (G); So. Nolan Geria (F); So. J.J. Hathaway (D).

Outlook: The ‘Skins blossomed into a potent offensive force and that trend should continue this season. Four of the top five scorers on last year’s team return, led by Seewagen, perhaps the league’s premier sniper, along with Gallagher and Geria. Buchinski is solid on the blue line and Nelson was impressive in goal last year.

“Our goal is to build on the success of the last few years,” DeMatteo said, “and take another step forward this season.”

North Penn

Coach: Kevin Vaitis (12^thseason)

Last year: 15-4-0-1

Key players: Sr. Ryan Cunningham (D); Sr. Chase Mueller (D); Jr. Nicholas Ebbinghaus (G); Jr. Tony Tuozzo (F); Sr. Jeromy Porubski (F); Sr. Zach Cline (F); So. Ryan Kaufhold (F).

Outlook: The Knights lost some key pieces from last year’s roster but they will not be bereft of talent. Cunningham and Mueller are two of the SHSHL’s top defensemen Ebbinghaus is an experienced goaltender.

Pennsbury

Coach: Ryan Daley (fourth season)

Last year: 10-6-1

Key players: Jr. Shane Siegmound (F); Sr. Erik Eisler (F); So. Brendan Macainsh (F); Jr. Reece Millman (D); Jr. Connor Coyne (D).

Outlook: The Falcons continue to improve on the offensive side of the puck with some young freshman talent coupled with some veteran leadership.

“We’ve made big moves in the right direction every season since I took over as head coach,” Daley said, “and we expect to do the same this year.”

Pennridge

Coach: Jeff Montagna (third season)

Last year: 9-6

Key players: Sr. Blake Stewart (F); Sr. Jeff Manto (F); Sr. Conner Frisch (D); Jr. Jack Lowery (F); Jr. Aiden Boyle (D); Jr. Ryan Schuler (D); Jr. Ryan Pico (G).

Outlook: The Rams may be the most experienced team in the SHSHL. All but one player returns from last year’s team. Stewart, Manto, and Lowery are solid up front and there is a wealth of experience on the blue line with Boyle and Schuler, and in goal with Pico.
“As always, how well we play defensively will dictate how successful we are as a team,” Montagna said.

Souderton

Coach: Ryan Uchniat (third season)

Last year: 3-7-1-1

Key players: Jr. Carter Povazan (D); So. Tim Alexander (F); So. Noah Connor (G); Sr. Amanda Kaminsky (G)

Outlook: The Big Red will be a young team; there are eight freshmen on the roster. Circumstances will require they play major roles.

“Our goal is to continuously improve,” Uchniat said, “and bring a high compete level. We’ll be relying on good defense and goaltending.”

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American Division

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Coach: Matt Aiello (seventh season)

Last year: 18-2

Key Players: Sr. John Cubbin (F-D); Sr. Zach Spera (F); Sr. T.J. Corcoran (D); Sr. Jack Mishkin (D); Jr. Luke Weikel (F); Jr. Aidan Keogh (F).

Outlook: The defending division champions likely won’t display the firepower they did a year ago, but with seven seniors returning the Colonials should still be formidable.

“We have high expectations for the coming season,” Aiello said.

Weikel and Keogh figure to be the top offensive threats.

Abington

Coach: Ken Brzozowski(fourth season)

Last year: 4-13

Key players: Sr. Colin Bruton (F), Sr. Holden Brooker (D); Jr. Tommy Rourke (D-F); Jr. Joe Stelacio (D-F); So. Griffin Carpenter (F).

Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts move back to the American Division this year and bring an abundance of experience with them. Bruton will offer a veteran presence up front and Carpenter saw a lot of ice time there last year as a freshman. Brooker will head up the defense corps while Rourke and Stelacio will utilize their experience in a variety of roles.

“The team will look to grow from its experience last year at the AA level,”Brzozowski said. “They’ve been working hard off the ice withindividual training and zoom team sessions through the pandemic and are looking forward to getting back on the ice.”

Hatboro-Horsham

Coach: Gianni Lafratta (third season)

Last year: 12-5-1

Key players: Sr. Aidan Esack (F-D), Sr. Seth Lerner (F-D), Sr. Alex Howieson (F) Sr. Vincent Tarsi (F-D), Hannah Gurt (D).

Outlook: The Hatters will have an abundance of experience in the lineup. Lafratta is hoping to add some scoring punch to go with a traditionally strong defense corps.

Quakertown

Coach: Keith Krem (second season)

Last year: 2-12-1

Key players: Sr. Eric Orezehoski (D); Jr. Anthony Pagliei (F); Fr. Kira Shaw (F).

Outlook: The Panthers return for their second SHSHL season skating in the American Division and featuring a mix of experienced veterans and eager newcomers. Pagliei will be the primary scoring threat but Krem is also excited by Shaw, who is making her high-school debut.

Truman

Coach: Bill Keyser (10^thseason)

Last year: 4-12
Key players: Sr. Frank Gallagher (F); Sr. Brent McGoldrick (D); Sr. Sean Doughery (D); Jr. Justin Reid (F).

Outlook: The Tigers are customarily lacking in numbers but they traditionally make up for it with sustained effort.

“We hope to have a good showing,” Keyser said. “Our goal is to play hard and have fun.”

William Tennent

Coach: Nick D’Aurizio (11^thseason)

Last year: 5-11

Key players: Sr. Zach Devor (D); Sr. Justin Carrelli (F); Sr. John Kreider (D); Jr. Matt Castan (F); Jr. Tom Lomas (G).

Outlook: The Panthers shift into the American Division this season and are primed to compete for a division title against schools of similar size.

“We’re excited to compete against some really good teams in the American Division,” D’Aurizio said, “and hopefully be in the position by the end of the season to play for a league championship. We have a strong core of seniors this year that have been 4 year lettermen and I’d love nothing more than to send them off with a title.”

Wissahickon

Coach: Ken Harrington (sixth season)

Last year: 10-10

Key players: Jr. Michael Bonanni (G); Sr. Bryan Garry (F); Jr. Nick Hussa (F); Sr. Nolan Ryan (D); Jr. Ty Schiff (D); Sr. Chris Shea (G).

Outlook: The Trojans scored a lot of goals last year in a division where goals are traditionally plentiful. With Garry and Hussa returning, this year’s team should score a lot of goals as well but Harrington believes the strength of his squad will be on the blue line where Ryan and Schiff return. Bonnani and Shea should both see time in goal.

After Long Wait The SHSHL Season is at Hand

The road to where the Suburban High School Hockey League is now, the threshold of the start of its 48^thseason, was long, arduous, and at times seemingly filled with insurmountable obstacles. But, thanks to the efforts of league officials, coaches, and rink staffs, the league will kick off its 48^thseason Wednesday night.

Barring any interruptions, each of the nine teams in the Class AA division will play a 12-game schedule, facing four opponents once and the other four twice. In the latter scenario, the first meeting between the two teams will be a non-league game, the second meeting will be the game that will count in the league standings.

The seven teams in the American Division will play each other twice each; all the games will count in the league standings.

North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis admits it will take time for the players to get their skates under them again.

“It’s definitely going to take a while,” he said. “we’ve had two practices (last week), we had another practice this past Monday so we’ll have three practices under our belt before our first game on Thursday.

“All the other teams are kind of in the same situation, it’s not like it’s a North Penn-only type thing.”
Vaitis says the compressed schedule will bring with it a sense of urgency. “It’s a 12-game season,” he said, “so we’ve got to really focus in on the things we need to do on the ice.

“We’ve had a lot of chalk talk off ice to clean up things that we need to.

“We’re going to have limited practice time this year. The second week of January is our first game and by the third week of March the (regular season) is over. “We’re looking at six or seven practices, that’s it.”

Senior defenseman Ryan Cunningham is North Penn’s captain this season. A four-year varsity players, Cunningham embraces the responsibility of encouraging his younger teammates.

“It puts me in a good position of being able to help the younger players feel comfortable and advance with their games,” he said.

Until the Knights resumed practices after the holidays, Cunningham had been off the ice for over a month. But he maintained his focus on hockey, doing off-ice workouts and taking in the recently completed World Junior championships.

He’s looking forward to stepping on the ice Thursday night when the Knights open their season against Souderton.

“It’s definitely going to be awesome,” he said. “The main thing is to go out and skate as a team,” he said. “It will definitely be exciting to be back on the ice.”