Defending champion Malvern Prep and St. Joseph’s Prep are set to square off Monday night in the Class AAA Flyers Cup final. Game time is 6:30 at Ice Line. The Friars are attempting to become the first Class AAA team to successfully defend the Flyers Cup title since La Salle in 2014. Here’s how the two teams match up.
St. Joseph’s Prep
Coach: David Giacomin
Record: 10-8-1
This tournament: Defeated Cardinal O’Hara 6-1 in the first round. Defeated La Salle 2-0 in the semifinals.
Key players: Jeffrey Hammond, 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points in APAC play; 3 goals and 1 assist in the Flyers Cup tournament.
Joey Samango, 8 goals and 2 assists for 10 points in APAC competition; 2 assists in the Flyers Cup.
Dante Passio, 1 goal and 7 assists in the APAC.
Rocco Bruno. Has made 46 saves in 2 Flyers Cup starts
Flyers Cup history: Won Flyers Cup and state titles in 2018
Malvern Prep
Coach: Bill Keenan
Record: 15-3, Founders Cup champion
This tournament: defeated Holy Ghost Prep 6-2 in the semifinals
Key players: Matt Harris, 13 goals and 9 assists for 22 points during the APAC season. Scored four goals and added an assist in the Flyers Cup semifinals.
Jim Jacobs, 8 goals and 9 assists for 17 points during the APAC season.
Jeremy Jacobs, 7 goals, 7 assists for 14 points during the APAC season.
Anthony Perti, Made 35 saves in the semifinals
Flyers Cup history: Won 9 Flyers Cup titles in 1987, ’90, ’97, 2001-05, and 2021. Won state titles in 1990, 2004, and 2021.
Notes: The Hawks and the Friars met twice during the APAC season. Malvern Prep won the first meeting 6-5 on December 10. St. Joseph’s Prep won the rematch 4-2 on January 27. That was Malvern Prep’s only APAC loss.
The winner of this game advances to the Class AAA state championship game on Saturday, March 26 at 5 p.m. at Ice Line.
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 copy CLICK HERE
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