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HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP—Despite the winter chill outside, the air inside the Skatium was crackling with intensity Friday. That’s a common occurrence when La Salle and St. Joseph’s Prep square off, whatever the sport.
Keenan Schneider’s power-play goal 6:12 into the first period proved decisive as the Explorers prevailed 2-1 in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference matchup.
The win lifted La Salle to 5-4 overall and 2-2 in APAC play. The Hawks fell to 4-5-1 and 1-2-0-2.
La Salle, which has won four of its last five games, jumped in front when the Hawks coughed up the puck in front of and just to the left of their own net. Patrick Brace was one hand to coral the puck and put it behind Hawk netminder Rocco Bruno just 93 seconds after the opening faceoff.
Schneider’s goal came off a faceoff in the circle to Bruno’s right.
Keenan Schneider scores the game-winning goal
St. Joseph’s Prep countered when Nick Storti beat La Salle goaltender Aries Carangi from the left side of the slot 6:12 into the second session.
That was the last goal of the night but both teams maintained a high level of intensity and physicality the rest of the way. Through the first two-and-a-half periods the referees called 11 minor penalties, six against the Explorers, five against the Hawks, but passed on incidents that might have been whistled down on another occasion.
Emotions boiled over with 1:28 remaining in the third period and La Salle trying to protect its one-goal lead.
Eight players, four from each team, were accessed a total of 72 penalty minutes. Two La Salle players Carangi and forward Tim Whittock, were given game misconducts for receiving four penalties during the game and will serve one-game suspensions as a result.
Muehlbronner also faces a suspension; his team was accessed 16 penalties.
When all the penalties were sorted out, St. Joseph’s Prep had a power play. Coach David Giacomin pulled Bruno at that point, giving his team a six-skaters-to-four advantage for the duration of the game but the Hawks couldn’t score.
Will Braun took over for Carangi in the La Salle goal. His only warmup came while the officials were sorting out the penalties but he made two saves over the final 88 seconds of playing time.
“I was happy that we hung on,” Muehlbronner said. “We had a lot to overcome in the third period.”
Muehlbronner made his thoughts clear regarding the late-game incident. “In my eyes, that’s very preventable, what took place,” he said. “It’s not what I expect.
“I don’t think the lack of discipline came on our part. It was a disgrace, what happened at the end. I expect my guys to play hard, play the game the right way. “Thankfully we did that in the first period and that’s what got us through.”
Giacomin noted the teams took turns dictating the flow of the game.
“It was up and down,” he said. “They had a really good first period, I think we played really good in the third period, and that made for an interesting third period, at least the first part of it.”
Giacomin indicated the rivalry between the two schools contributed to the altercation.
“You don’t like to see it,” he said, “but you understand why it happens You’ve just got to hopefully teach the kids from this point on that that’s not the way we play, period. Both teams.”
La Salle 2 0 0—2
St. Joseph’s Prep 0 1 0—1
First-period goals: Patrick Brace (L) unassisted, 1:33; Keenan Schneider (L) from Charlie Kennedy, 6:12 (pp)
Second-period goals: Nick Storti (SJP) from Joey Samango and Dante Passio, :49
Shots: La Salle 38, St. Joseph’s Prep 34; Saves: Aries Carangi (L) 31 and Will Braun (L) 2, Rocco Bruno (SJP) 36
For more information about La Salle College High School CLICK HERE
For information about St. Joseph’s Prep CLICK HERE
Jeremy Jacobs scored 2:21 into overtime to give Malvern Prep a 4-3 win over Holy Ghost Prep Thursday night in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game at Ice Line as the Friars celebrated Senior Night.
Caiden Canale, Aidan Kelly, and Jimmy Jacobs also scored for Malvern Prep (9-2, 5-0 in the APAC) which tightened its hold on first place in the APAC standings.
Sean Marshall scored for the Firebirds (9-7, 1-4-1-0 in conference) with 1:39 left in regulation to force overtime.
Canale opened the scoring for the Friars 2:34 into the first period before Brian Butler tied the game for Holy Ghost Prep with a power-play goal at the 4:14 mark. Kelly’s goal with 40 seconds left in the opening session gave the hosts a 2-1 lead.
Michael Holt tied the game for Holy Ghost Prep with 4:30 left in the middle period.
Jimmy Jacobs put Malvern Prep in front for the third time with 5:52 remaining in the third period before Marshall’s goal necessitated overtime.
“It was a big night for our team,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan. “We were playing our second game since December 15 and we knew we had to come ready to play.
“(Holy Ghost Prep) is a good team, they get pucks deep and crash the net and it was good to see them get the win, especially for our seniors.”
Holy Ghost Prep 1 1 1 0—3
Malvern Prep 2 0 1 1—4
First-period goals: Caiden Canale (MP) from Jeremy Jacobs, 2:34; Brian Butler (HGP) unassisted, 4:12 (pp); Aidan Kelly (MP) from Jimmy Jacobs, 16:20
Second-period goal: Michael Holt (HGP) from Colin Moore, 12:30
Third-period goals: Jimmy Jacobs (MP) unassisted, 11:08; Sean Marshall (HGP) from Moore and Ciaran Chambers, 14:21
Overtime goal: Jeremy Jacobs (MP) from Pierre Larocque, 2:21
Shots; Holy Ghost Prep 31, Malvern Prep 34
Saves: Jason Soule (HGP) 30, Anthony Perti (MP) 28
Riley Frost is a long way from home; some 3,000 miles. The Carlsbad, Calif. native arrived at The Hun School two-and-a-half years ago. Now, he’s a senior and the Raiders’ captain. His passion for hockey runs deep.
“Hockey is kind of in my family,” he said. “Both my dad and my grandpa played hockey and my mom plays ringette (a sport for females that is played on ice and in some aspects, resembles ice hockey). So, it was kind of in my blood.”
One might not think of Southern California as a hockey hotbed but the Los Angeles Blades skated in the Western Hockey League immediately prior to the creation of the Los Angeles Kings when the National Hockey League expanded from six to 12 teams in 1967. San Diego’s hockey history dates back to the 1960s and the present-day San Diego Gulls skate in the American Hockey League.
Following his freshman year of high school however, Frost, who is 17, decided to take another step in his hockey career.
“I realized that I kind of wanted to go further with it,” he said, “and decided to come out to the East Coast. Hun was a great fit for me so I decided to come here.”
Frost says his coach, Ian McNally, significantly influenced his decision to enroll at the school.
“Kind of off that first meeting my family and I kind of really trusted him,” he recalls, “and we really fell in love with the school after that.”
As a boarding student, Frost’s days are full.
“Normally I wake up for classes around 8:00 and start the day off,” he said. And then throughout the day I’ll have a few free periods. That’s really when I get a lot of work done and get in as much schoolwork as I can.
“And then after that, hockey (the team practices daily), then usually after hockey come back, have a little down time, and then study hall starts.”
Boarding students at the school have a mandatory two-hour study hall five nights a week, Sunday through Thursday.
“It’s really great,” Frost said, “because you have a set time every night where everyone is doing work. If you have a buddy in a class, you can go work on a project or whatever together.
Sometimes there are teachers out and about. If you have any questions you can go talk to them. it’s been very nice to have that kind of study hall. When those two hours come down, everyone knows it’s time to dial it in, it’s time to work.”
Frost note that work ethic carries over into the ice. The Raiders navigate a demanding schedule against Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference and Mid-Atlantic Hockey League opposition.
“I kind of like our schedule this year,” Frost said. “It’s definitely gotten more competitive over the years.’
The Raiders stand at 5-5 overall and 1-2-1-0 in the APAC through January 19; they haven’t played a game since December 15 because of Covid issues that have impacted several scheduled opponents.
Frost has scored three goals in nine game and added six assists. McNally cites his contributions to the Hun School hockey program over the course of his career.
“Riley has been a great addition to our team and school since his arrival in 10th grade,” McNally said. “He was a natural selection to wear a “C” this year as he is a glue guy all over campus, in the room and on the bus, in the dorms and in the classroom, and of course with his play on the ice. He is getting the opportunity to put up points this year and is deserving of any accolades that come his way.”
Riley Frost
This is Hun School’s first season in the APAC. Frost has been impressed with the competitive balance among the five conference schools.
“Balance is a good word,” he said. We’re obviously all very competitive people and every game we’re going to come out and we’re going to play our hearts out and that’s really going to be what leads us to hopefully our end goal this season.”
Frost notes how much he, his teammates, and the student-athletes throughout the conference respect the game and respect each other on the ice.
“I think we all recognize that we’re all high-level athletes,” he said, “and obviously, we would like to go as far as we can in our careers and so that level of respect that all the teams have for each other is pretty crucial to our league.”
In the wake of the layoff, Frost says he and his teammates are gathering themselves for what in effect will be a sprint to the end of the season
“Definitely,” he said. “Trying to dial in all our systems and truly getting that team chemistry going again is going to be essential for us.”
In addition to playing hockey, Frost also plays lacrosse; he’s an attackman and midfielder. He stresses the importance creating a system to manage his time effectively.
“Once you find something that works for you, it really becomes quite simple,” he said. “You have your practice time, you have a little bit of down time and then it’s your schoolwork, getting everything done, making sure you have a good night’s sleep and you’re ready for the next day. I think once you find what works, that’s really important.”
Click Here for more information about The Hun School.
Until further notice, the general public will not be permitted in the Gray Rink at Hatfield Ice for Arcadia University hockey games. The university has revised its spectator policy due to Covid concerns. That policy reads in part:
Attendance at home indoor athletic events will be limited to University community members and approved guests. There will be no general admission, and Arcadia will not permit fans from visiting institutions. Arcadia students, faculty, and staff with a valid KnightCard will be admitted to the event. Also, guests of Arcadia student-athletes may be added to a spectator pass list.
The revised protocols impact the Kuch Center (including Lenox Pool and Alumni Gymnasium) and Hatfield Ice Arena and pertain to the sports of men’s and women’s basketball, men’s volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming, and men’s and women’s ice hockey.
Spectators that are allowed inside Arcadia athletic events are required to wear a mask, per the university’s indoor masking policy.
WARWICK—For Pennridge it was all in an evening’s work. The Rams remained unbeaten Wednesday night with a 5-0 win over Central Bucks East in a SHSHL Class AA matchup at Revolution Ice Gardens.
Pennridge is now a perfect 10-0 on the season, 6-0 in divisional play, and sits atop the Flyers Cup Class AA rankings to boot.
Adam Boyle scored two goals and assisted on another. Aerek Lehrhaupt also scored twice as the Rams bested the Patriots for the second time this season; they prevailed 5-1 on December 8.
“We talked before the game,” said Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna. It was a point of emphasis the way we played against them last time. We did not play well and they outworked us last game.
“We stressed that in the locker room all week, about getting off to a better start against this team and not being outworked.”
The Rams dominated the first period although they scored just once. Boyle collected a loose puck in front of the East net and tucked it inside the left post with 4:16 left in the opening session. As is often case in such circumstances, it was a case of a goaltender keeping his team in the game. In this case was the netminder was Matt Magiacapre who was credited with no few 26 saves in the opening 17 minutes and gave the Patriots (3-7, 2-4 in the division) reason to hope.
But East’s hopes were dashed 5:10 into the second frame when Shane Dachowski scored for the Rams on a breakaway while his team was skating two men short.
Boyle added his second goal of the night at the 14:14 mark before Lehrhaupt added two goals in the third period.
Emotions boiled over with 9:21 left in regulation when the Rams’ Pierce McGinley took the Patriots’ Kyle McIntyre into the wall on the Pennridge’s offensive right wing just beyond the faceoff circle. No penalty was called on the play. Phil McIntyre stepped up in defense of his brother and teammate and wound up drawing nine minutes in penalties; minor penalties for elbowing and roughing, plus a major. As a result, the Patriots were shorthanded virtually all of the rest of the game. but they kept battling.
“I loved how we stayed in the game the whole team,” said Central Bucks East coach Jeff Mitchell. “They put a lot of shots up on us in the first period so I was starting to get a little worried that we were sitting on our heels. But, the boys kept fighting back, it just wasn’t going I for us tonight.”
Montagna works to keep his team focused on the task at hand while also acknowledging what is possible. He’s counting on his seniors to show the way.
“The seniors that we have have been through this,” he said. “They know there’s a bigger goal than just getting through the regular season and they’ve been real good about teaching the other guys that and telling them that. They know what we’re fighting for.”
Ice Chips—Ryan Pico pitched a shutout in goal, making 24 saves while Mangiacapre was credited with 44 … The Rams will make up a game with Pennsbury Monday night at Hatfield Ice (6:20 start).
Pennridge 1 2 2—5
C.B. East 0 0 0—0
First-period goals: Adam Boyle (P) unassisted, 12:44
Second-period goals: Shane Dachowski (P) from Boyle and Colin Dachowski, 5:10 (sh); Boyle (P) unassisted, 14:14
Third-period goals: Aerek Lehrhaupt (P) from Colin Dachowski, 6:43; Lehhaupt (P) unassisted, 12:40
Shots: Pennridge 49, C.B. East 24; Saves: Ryan Pico (P) 24, Matt Mangiacapre (CBE) 44
The Grundy Skate Shop is a full-service hockey pro shop inside the Grundy Arena, offering a great selection of equipment, brands and various services. We do a full range of repairs as well as offer custom hockey jerseys. Owner Bill Keyser, has over 25 years experience in the industry and specializes in skate sharpening, including profiling. Please visit our Facebook page or stop in and check us out!
Jeff Mauro has written a book on the history of the Pennsylvania state high school hockey championship. To find out more and order a copyCLICK HERE
Will Schneider scored with 5:43 remaining in regulation to give the host Blues the win over the Explorers on Wednesday evening in a Mid-Atlantic Prep League game..
Chris Wnek and Max Maddalo scored the La Salle goals while Chase Hannon, Dan Whittock, Jackson Lindmar and Matt Giordano all had assists.
It was on this date 63 years ago, January 18, 1958, that Willie O’Ree became the first Black player to appear in a National Hockey League Game. Tonight, the Boston Bruins will retire Mr. O’Ree’s number 22 when they host the Carolina Panthers.
Mr. O’Ree skated for the Bruins against the Montreal Canadians. He played in two games for the Bruins that year and 43 more during the 1960-61 season. He finished his NHL career with four goals and 10 assists, all coming during the 1960-61 season.
His professional career spanned 21 seasons, much of it in the Western Hockey League, a top-flight minor league at a time when the NHL had only six teams. This despite the fact he was blind in one eye.
Mr. O’Ree serves as the NHL’s Director of Youth Development. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builders category in 2018.
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