When a goaltender steps up, a lot of people notice. So it was at Hatfield Ice Monday night.
Ricky Gonzalez made 53 saves in the Bensalem net and his teammates played inspired hockey in front of him as the Owns overcame a 3-2 third-period deficit to post a 5-3 win over Plymouth Whitemarsh in the SHSHL American Division finale.
Alex Hood scored four goals for the third-seeded Owls (14-3) who claimed the first SHSHL title in school history but it was the senior netminder Gonzalez who was the difference in the game.
Bensalem, which had only 10 skaters available due to suspensions, was outshot 56-21.
“I have no words right now, said Bensalem coach Bill Hood. “I’m very proud of these kids.
“Obviously, we had a short bench; we had three kid suspended. And these kids, all year long, they just never quit.”
Gonzalez credited his teammates for their support.
“If it wasn’t for Alex and my brother (Lucas Gonzalez) and the rest of the team it wouldn’t have even been close,” he said. Everybody stood their ground tonight and we came up with the victory.
Gonzalez spent much of the evening under heavy incoming fire but being busy is to his liking.
“It gives me so much confidence,” he said. “Seeing that (shot total) up there, but there were three (Colonial goals) on 40 shots. In the third period, that kept me going.
Justin Borne got the Owls going with the evening’s first goal 5:09 into the opening frame, David Branigan and Blake Ambler responded for the top-seeded Colonials (13-4) to give their side a 2-1 lead with 2:06 left in the opening session.
Hood and Branigan traded goals in the second period, leading to Hood’s game-tying goal 2:24 into the final period.
Hood’s game winner, which came at the 7:49 mark, came off a dash down left the left wing. His shot along the ice beat Plymouth Whitemarsh goaltender Julian Lucks inside the right post and immediately caromed back into play. The referee on the play immediately blew his whistle and signaled a goal.
Hood later put an exclamation point on the game by scoring into an empty net just before the final buzzer.
Still later, he could be found in his team’s dress room, hugging the championship trophy with all the energy at his command and reflecting on what he and his teammates have accomplished.
“It’s a big family,” he said. “we’ve battled through the past three years. Everybody counted us out. It doesn’t matter how far down we are, we found a way today.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Dave Cox was unavailable following the game.
Ice chips: Both teams will compete in the Flyers Cup. Plymouth Whitemarsh will gave Unionville in a Class A first-round game on March 4. Bensalem will go against Pennridge in a Class AA first-round game on March 5.
Bensalem 1 1 3—5
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2 1 0—3
First period goals: Justin Rapone (B) from Matt Rowan and Brandon Stahl, 5:09; David Branigan (PW) from Jason Yoder, 8:19; Blake Ambler (PW) from Chris London, 14:54
Second-period goals: Alex Hood (B) unassisted, 8:55; Branigan (PW) from Dylan Novitsky, 10:56
Third-period goals: Hood (B) unassisted, 2:24; Hood (B) unassisted, 7:49; Hood (B) from Rowan, 16:59 (en)
Shots: Bensalem 21, PW 56 Saves: Ricky Gonzalez (B) 53, Julian Lucks (PW) 16
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