Plymouth Whitemarsh 11 Hatboro-Horsham 6

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—The start of a new hockey season marks a new beginning. That was especially so for Hatboro-Horsham and Plymouth Whitemarsh, who squared off Thursday night in an SHSHL American Division matchup at Hatfield Ice Arena.

The Colonials, who qualified for the Class A Flyers Cup tournament a year ago, were playing their first game for new coach Vince Forti.

The Hatters are returning to pure status in the SHSHL this season, meaning that every player on the roster is Hatboro-Horsham High School student which in turn makes the team eligible once more for postseason play.

But the Hatters took the ice minus goaltender Eric Miller, who was absent due to a concussion. Connor Smith, a defenseman by trade, stepped in in Miller’s place and gave a solid effort and made a number of quality saves, but the Colonials overcame an early 2-0 deficit and went on to post an 11-6 win.

Blake Ambler paced Plymouth Whitemarsh with four goals: he assisted on two others. Chris London delivered three goals and Daniel Molony two. Cooper Kanze, a freshman playing in his first high-school hockey game, added a goal and two assists.

“It was fun,” Kanze said. “I like the challenge. It’s way different from middle school, but way more fun.”

Vincent Graziano and Nathan Nemchinov scored goals 37 seconds apart to give Hatboro-Horsham a two-goal lead with 4:15 left in the opening period.

But the Hatters lost Reid Rochestie to a game misconduct penalty during an altercation and momentum shifted in the Colonials’ direction.

Ambler cut the deficit in half at the 2:15 mark before Kanze pushed the puck past Smith just as the buzzer sounded to end the period.

The goal counted and the Colonials rolled on from there, scoring eight times in the second period in a span of 9 minutes, 46 seconds.

Nemchinov scored his second goal of the night for the Hatters to tie the game at 3-3 with exactly 10 minutes left in the middle period but the Colonials responded with seven unanswered goals.

“We got off to a bit of a slow start, Forti said. But we stuck together as a team and really picked it up and came out with a solid win.”

Hatboro-Horsham coach Shane Smith praised his son Connor’s effort in goal.

“I thought he did a hell of a job,” He said. With [38] shots on net and he made some big saves. Unfortunately, we ended up on the losing end of the deal, but we have a lot to build on.”

Hatboro-Horsham 2 2 2—6

Plymouth Whitemarsh 2 8 1—11

First-period goals: Vincent Graziani (HH) unassisted, 12:08; Nathan Nemchinov (HH) unassisted, 12:45; Blake Ambler (PW) from Ryan Jagher, 14:59; Cooper Kanze (PW) from Ambler, 0:00

Second-period goals: Daniel Moloney (PW) from Chris London and Julian Zawislak, 5:06; Nemchinov (HH) from Evan Snow, 7:00; Chris London (PW) unassisted, 7:49; London (PW) from Luke Smith, 7:58; Ambler (PW) from Smith, 8:47; Ambler (PW) from Kanze and Smith, 10:40; Molony (PW) unassisted, 12:42; Daniel Guller (PW) from Ambler, 14:07; Ryan Campbell (PW) from Morgan Hulitt, 14:52; Joseph Mangin (HH) Darius Graziani, 16:37

Third-period goals: Victor Wilkins (HH) unassisted, 2:24; Kanze (PW) from Guller and Ambler, 3:57; Darius Graziani (HH) from Vincent Graziani, 6:31

Shots: Hatboro-Horsham 30, Plymouth Whitemarsh 38; Saves: Connor Smith (HH) 27, Julian Lucks (PW) 24

C.B. South 10 C.B. West 2

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—It took Central Bucks South some time to get started Wednesday night. But momentum kept building in the course of the Titans’ season-opening 10-2 win over Central Bucks West at Hatfield Ice Arena.

Leading just 1-0 after the opening period and 4-0 after the second, South put the game away with a four-goal spurt in a span of 3:03 early in the third period.

The Titans got contributions from many hands. Jeff Kvecher delivered a six-point night, scoring two goals and assisting four others. Ryan Montagna scored three goals and added an assist. Logan Hood added a goal and two assists while Keith Waldron generated three assists of his own.

Sean Cutter, the Titans’ captain, found his way onto the scoresheet with a goal and an assist.

“I thought we played pretty solid,” he said. “We started off slow, we definitely have stuff to clean up. But, I’m not disappointed. I think we’re going to have a strong season.”

West goaltender Isaac Mays his team in the game for two periods. The Bucks (0-1) were outshot 18-3 in the first frame and 64-18 for the game.

Anthony Dowd scored both goals for the Bucks, both of them coming in the third period.

The Bucks are one of youngest teams in the SHSHL but they made up for their lack of experience with a sustained effort.

“We’re young and we lack some experience,” said West coach Dave Baun, “but we play hard and you can’t really teach that. That’s a good baseline.

“If we play hard, we just gave to add one or two elements to our performance every game. If we do that, we’ll get better and the next time we play them, it will be a different game.”

South coach Shaun McGinty. “We had our shots, we had our chances [in the first period],” he said. “But with the first game you know nerves, anxiety, whatever you want to call it, the kids are going to play a little flat before they start settling in.

“After the first period we gave them a little talking to. Our D-zone was not what it should be. Then they were able to clean it up in the second and start to put it together. So, all in all it was a good showing by us, a step in the right direction.”

• The Titans carried pink stripes on their helmets to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month [October). The mother of one of South’s players is cancer patient.

“It as meaningful not just for [Cutter’s teammate] but for the team,” Cutter said. “I think it shows the character of the team and what we stand for.”

C.B.West 0 0 2—2

C.B. South 1 3 6—10

First-period goal: Jeff Kvecher (CBS) from Keith Waldron, 9:20

Second-period goals: Logan Hood (CBS) from Peter Herring, 1:51; Ryan Montagna (CBS) from Kvecher, 3:38; Alexander Cannon (CBS) from Herring, 4:53

Third-period goals: Sean Cutter (CBS) from Hood, 2:35; Kvecher (CBS) from Waldron and Montagna, 4:11; Joe Slobodrian (CBS) from Hood, 5:21; Hood (CBS) from Cutter, 5:38; Anthony Dowd (CBW) unassisted, 7:09; Montagna (CBS) from Kvecher, 7:42; Montagna (CBS) from Kvecher and Waldron, 7:58; Dowd (CBW) from Zane Sanders, 10:24

Shots: C.B. West 18, C.B. South 64 Saves: Isaac Mays (CBW) 54, Nate Napolitano (CBS) 16

APAC Preview 2024-25

The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is launching its seventh season. Here’s a look at what to expect from the five conference schools in the 2024-25 campaign.

La Salle

Coach: Wally Muehlbronner (27^th season)

Last year: 23-4, 8-0 in APAC; defending Founders Cup and Class AAA Flyers Cup champions

Key players: Sr. Jake Rossi (G); Sr. Cam Ross (D); Sr. Will Gregorio (D); Sr. Declan Kelly (D); Sr. Julian Tarsi (F); Sr. Grant LaGreca (F); Sr. Michael Zarzycki (F); So. Alistair St. Hilaire (F)

Outlook: The Explorers lost 12 seniors from last year’s Founders Cup and Flyers Cup champions but a solid nucleus returns. The defense corps is solid while Tarsi, LaGreca, Zarzycki, and St. Hilaire provide scoring balance. Rossi is a quality goaltender.

Holy Ghost Prep

Coach: John Ritchie (second season)

Last year: 12-14, 3-5 in APAC (0-1 in OT)

Key players: Sr. Ryan Lippy (D); Sr. Joe Kaufmann (D); So. Nate Romer (D); Jr. Chris Marshall (D-F); Sr. Colin Bara (F); Sr. Joe Spadaccino (F); Sr. Brian Kinniry (F); Jr. Anthony Valeriote (F); Jr. Jack Gavaghan (F); Jr. Lucas Gonzalez (F); Jr. Brady Logue (F); So. Chase Logue (F)

Outlook: The Firebirds struggled the first part of last season but were much improved after New Year’s.

“We were better the second half of the season,” Ritchie said, “which should help moving forward. The roster has a good core group of older experienced players, coupled with some talented newcomers.”

Spadaccino, Kinniry, and Bara will provide veteran experience up front while Lippy and Kauffmann will do the same in the back. The roster also includes three experienced goaltenders.

Hun School

Coach: Eric Szeker (second season)

Last year: 5-12, 1-7 in APAC (1-1 in OT)

Key players: Sr. Patrick Donoghue (G); Sr. Elliot Wong (G); Sr. Jr. Chase Preston (D; Jr. Andrew Darst (D); Sr. Luke Rassier (F); Jr. Jake Beck (F); Jr. Luca Jean (F); So. Justin Bibeau (F); Jr. Nate Trawinski (F); Jr. Jacob Kelly-Lepage (F); Jr. Anders Van Raalte (F); Sr Jake O’Connell (F)

Outlook: The Raiders will put a much deeper team on ice this season than they did a year ago. Ten seniors graduated but a talented junior class returns. Donoghue and O’Connell will be relied on for leadership in the locker room and on the ice. Szeker is looking scoring balance.

“Scoring will come from many players,” he said, “but Jake Beck, who had a strong sophomore season, will be counted on for production.”

Donoghue and Wong provide experience in goal.

Malvern Prep

Coach: Bill Keenan (sixth season)

Last year: 11-9, 4-4 in APAC (2-2 in OT); Class AAA Flyers Cup finalist

Key players: Sr. Matt Crawford (G); Sr. Matt Barbacane (D); Jr. Cole Scarbinsky (D); Sr. Gabe Bedwell (F); Sr. Teague Murray (F); Jr. Pax Hoishik (F); Jr. Henry Tesoriero (F); So. House Young (F)

Outlook: The Friars look to bounce back from a tough loss in the Flyers Cup finals. The team by a core group of seniors and upperclassmen with additions of talented underclassmen.

“This year is about resetting our mindset, getting back to the basics and finding our grit,” Keenan said. “This is one of the toughest schedules Malvern Prep will play in a few years so we are looking forward to a fun, competitive season.”

St. Joseph’s Prep

Coach: David Giacomin (12^th season)

Last year: 16-7 4-4 in APAC (1-0 in OT): Founders Cup finalist

Key players: So. Declan Geary (G); Jr. Michael Garr (G); Jr. Bruno Mainardi (G); Sr. Caden Kelly (D); Jr. Patrick Sweeney (D); Jr. Ben Kerson Jr. Adam Charaffi (D); Sr. Tristan Winata (F); Sr. Carter Short (F); Jr. Noah Stuhl (F); Jr. Tommy Ely (F); Jr. Michael Castelli (F); So. Frankie Ely (F); and So. Cole Gargon (F)

Outlook: Team speed combined with veteran experience on the blue line will be recipe for success for the Hawks this season.
“We hope to be a speed driven team that will play hard in all three zones,” Giacomin said. “Depth will play a big role this year. With offensive returnees and the defense leading the way we hope to get off to a fast start and build from there.”

Malvern Prep 4 Calvert Hall 0

Four different players scored goals as Malvern Prep opened its season Monday afternoon with a 4-0 win at Calvert Hall.

Alex March opened the scoring with 8:07 left in the first period. He assisted on Cole Scarbinsky’s effort 3:42 into the second frame. Quinn Riley added a goal later in the second period and Andrew Starck extended his team’s lead in the third.

Matt Crawford and Riley Doyle split the shutout in goal.

Philadelphia Blind Hockey Showcase a Unique Experience for Participants

The Philadelphia area hockey community came together at Hatfield Ice Arena Thursday night in support of Philadelphia Blind Hockey and that organization’s efforts to provide access to the sort to those with visual disabilities.

The second annual showcase brought together 10 high-school teams and a college club team who played a series of 15-minute four-on-four games while wearing specially designed goggles that replicated various visual impairments.

The evening also included teams representing Philadelphia Blind Hockey’s coaching staff, the Philadelphia Flyers’ community relations staff, and two teams representing the Flyers Warriors, which features players with disabilities.

The participants offered unique perspectives on the experience

Malvern Prep senior Gabe Bedwell joined several of his teammates on a squad that featured players from the Pennridge boys’ and girls’ teams. He said the experience of playing hockey with restricted vision left him with a sense of gratitude.

“It really does make me so thankful to have the vision that I have,” he said. “it really is just a gift from God, it just makes your heart bleed for people that aren’t as fortunate as you.

Bedwell had the opportunity to experience various vision issues, however briefly, with multiple pairs of goggles.

“One, I think it was cataracts,” he said. “You couldn’t see anything. Honestly, that was an experience. I think I had a goal with them somehow, And, the other ones were also very challenging.”

Bedwell was asked what it was like to play hockey with restricted vision.

“It’s hard to explain honestly,” he said. “It’s a weird experience.

“When I tried with the [cataract glasses] it was the hardest one. You could see colors and shapes but you didn’t know where their sticks were at all, you didn’t know how or when they were going to get to you. The closing speed was definitely a lot different and it’s just really like a guessing game sometimes. You just don’t know where you’re going.”

Bedwell noted that participating in the showcase was in keeping with Malvern Prep’s philosophy of community service.

“This is honestly one of the most impactful things I’ve done,” he said. “I think it really spreads awareness [the APAC] itself too. It’s pretty cool. It was honestly a great experience and it was actually fun.”

Former Flyer Brad Marsh skated with the Flyers’ community service team. Marsh played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League, including seven with the Flyers, but Thursday night was a new experience for him.

“Well, I’ll tell you, it was awkward,” he said. “It was weird, it was difficult, but it was quite a unique experience.”

Marsh was asked about how he and fellow Flyers alum Doug Crossman approached skating with restricted vision.

“Well, the thing is we do know how to skate, ”Marsh said “so our main goal was to keep our balance and stay out of everybody’s way.

“But it was fun. Whenever you can play hockey it’s great and USA Hockey and Canadian amateur hockey, they’ve done a great job incorporating the various disabilities into the game of hockey. Blind hockey, deaf hockey, sled hockey, I know I’m missing some, but hats off to the hockey associations for making the game accessible to people with disabilities.”

Marsh was asked what he wanted the high-school and college player who participated to take away from the experience.

“That they get an understanding of playing the game with a handicap,” he said. “And it gives them an appreciation of what they have. Whenever you can expose young people to something new, it’s a great learning experience.”

• In addition to Malvern Prep. the participating schools included North Penn, Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South, Pennridge [boys and girls] Holy Ghost Prep, Haverford High, Penncrest, Father Judge and the Neumann University men’s club team.

APAC Will Have a Presence at Blind Hockey Showcase

Two APAC schools will be among the participants Thursday night in the second annual Philadelphia Blind Hockey Showcase which is scheduled for Hatfield Arena.

Holy Ghost Prep and Malvern Prep will join Father Judge, Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South, North Penn, Haverford, Penncrest, along with and the boys’ and girls’ teams from Pennridge and the men’s club team from Neumann University.

Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie points out that participating in the showcase is in keeping with the school’s educational and spiritual philosophy.

“”We were very grateful to be included in the event last year. It is an event that aligns with HGPs Spiritan foundation. Participating in the Philadelphia Blind Hockey charity is a reminder that the spirit of the game knows no barriers. Together, the hockey community can inspire, uplift, and create opportunities for all athletes to experience our game.”

Doors will open at 5:30 Thursday evening; the first games will begin at 6:10. Admission is $5.

Blind Hockey Showcase Brings Awareness to Vision Impairment Issues

The Philadelphia Blind Hockey Showcase returns this week, bigger and more inclusive. Players representing 10 high-school teams will joined by teams representing several community organizations will take part in the event, which is scheduled for Hatfield Ice Arena on Thursday night. Doors will open at 5:30; the first games half-ice games will begin at 6:10.

The players will wear specially designed goggles which replicate various types of vision disabilities. Goaltenders will be blindfolded.

The first half of the evening will see teams taking the ice representing Philadelphia Blind Hockey, the Philadelphia Flyers community staff and alumni, and the Flyers Warriors.

Following those games the high-school player will take the ice.

One team will include players from Central Bucks South, Father Judge, and Haverford High. Another will blend players from the Pennridge boys’ and girls’ teams with Malvern Prep. A third will combine players from North Penn, Central Bucks East, and Holy Ghost Prep. The fourth will put see players from Penncrest skating alongside players from Neumann University’s men’s club team.

Flyers Cup Committee President Eric Tye spoke to the impact of last year’s inaugural showcase.

“It was awesome,” he said. “I think well beyond the expectations of anyone involved. We raised a lot of awareness, we raided a lot of money for Philadelphia Blind Hockey and think all the kids that played in it really got a whole new perspective on what it’s like to have a vision disability.”

Tye noted that the players on the high-school teams involved in the showcase have been working with the Philadelphia Blind Hockey program on an ongoing basis.

“All 10 of them have spent time with Philadelphia Blind Hockey at a practice session. Whether it was this year, last year, or the year before. They’ve all spent time being out at practice, some of them two or three times.”

Steve Mescanti is the head coach at Penncrest. He says participating in the Philadelphia Blind Hockey program, including last year’s showcase. Made an impact on his players.

“The kids really respond to it,” he said. “I think they somehow really grasp it, quickly and easily, that we’re a heck of a lot more fortunate than a lot of other people.

I think kids look at it ‘If I can teach or help these kids to love hockey as much as I do that’s a good thing.”

Mescanti says the program allows his student-athletes to use the game of hockey to make an impact in their communities.

“This is an opportunity to go out and have fun,” he said, almost in the same vein as pond hockey; ‘I can give back, and I can have fun. I can do something that I love.

“At the end, it’s very rewarding because the blind hockey kids are so appreciative which I think lets the other guys know that ‘You know what? I did a good thing here. It was very much appreciated, it’s something that love and I’m helping someone else to maybe grow the love that I have for the game.”

Haverford High John Povey says his players are looking forward to being part of the showcase.

“We had a handful of seniors that went up and attended the event and the same thing this year,” he said. “The five or six guys we’ve got going up are all seniors. It’s a nice little event for them and obviiuly what comes out of it is the unique experience of what the children are going through and what they have to live with.

You always want to give back and I think it’s great for all the communities involve, all the clubs involved.”

Like the other participating schools, the Fords help out with Philadelphia Blind Hockey practice sessions.

“We’ve had a couple different experiences with this organization,” Povey said. “It really puts it in perspective some of the things they have to go through.

“(But) they never complain and they have every reason to. You walk into those locker rooms, you walk into those events, they’ve got smile from ear to ear. It’s really cool to see.”

“For me as a coach, it’s good to see my players get involved and they do such a good job with it. They embrace it, they look forward to it, they’re excited about it.”

Admission to the showcase will be $5.

La Salle 3 Wyoming Seminary 2 OT

HATFIELD—A young hockey team found out some things about itself Wednesday afternoon. La Salle got a live-fire test from Wyoming Seminary before the Explorers emerged with a 3-2 overtime win at Hatfield Ice.

It was the second consecutive win for the defending APAC and Class AAA Flyers Cup champions to open the new season.

Julian Tarsi delivered the game-winning goal off a centering pass from Declan Kelly with 1:13 remaining in the extra period.

Tarsi liked his team’s mindset against a quality opponent.

“It’s good for us early in the year to play a good team like that,” the senior said. “It’s good to see the boys working hard like that and digging deep. Especially later in the game, find a way to win.”

After a scoreless first frame, Kelly gave the Explorers a 1-0 lead when he found the back of the net 8:01 into the middle period.

James Fitzpatrick answered right back for the Knights (1-3) at the 9:47 mark.

The third period also featured two goals in quick succession. Grant Lagreca gave the hosts the lead, albeit briefly at the 3:03 mark. Colin Donovan responded for the Knights at 5:05 during a power play after the Explorers were flagged for having too many men on the ice.

Jake Rossi got the win in goal, stopping 24 of 26 shots.

“We got some good work in our defensive zone,” said La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner. “I thought we played pretty well in the D-zone. We’ve been working a lot on that in the practices that we’ve had.”

La Salle lost 11 seniors off last year’s championship team. Those stepping into this year’s lineup are going through a necessary, if sometimes challenging transition.

“For a lot of the newer guys, it’s a different pace than they’re used to,” Muehlbronner said. “That was a good team that we just played, so I’m very pleased. I think that we got better as the game went along and I think the guys learned what they needed to do. We simplified some things and played a good game.”

Tarsi says his younger teammates are moving in the right direction.

“They’ve just got to get adjusted to the system,” he said, “and I think they’ve done a good job of that so far. They’re working hard. I’m excited to see what he future holds for them.”

Tarsi spoke to the responsibility the veterans on the roster have to show their younger teammates the way.

“It’s very important,” he said. “We’re supposed to be the leaders of the team.

“Honesty, coming off a huge loss last year, a devastating loss [in the state championship game] we’ve got to lead these guys back and find a way to get the job done.”

Wyoming Seminary 0 1 1 0—2

La Salle 0 1 1 1—3

Second-period goals: Declan Kelly (L) from Jacob Warner, 8:01; James Fitzpatrick (WS) from Sebastian Bilde, 9:47

Third-period goals: Grant Lagreca (L) from Michael Zarzycki, 3:03; Colin Donovan (WS) from Heil DeSeve and Jagar MacDonald, 5:27 (pp)

Overtime goal: Julian Tarsi (L) from Kelly and Cameron Ross, 3:47

Shots: Wyoming Seminary 26, La Salle 36; Saves: Jonah Boles (WS) 33, Jake Rossi (L) 24

Remembering Greg McDonald

On this day, last year, we lost Coach Greg McDonald.

Today, we remember and honor a man who gave so much of himself to the ice hockey community. Greg was a loving and devoted husband, father, friend, mentor and coach. He is sorely missed every day.

Please remember Coach Greg today – share a story, say a prayer, or shoot a puck to celebrate him.

Rest in peace, Coach Greg. We will keep your legacy alive!

For more information about Coach Greg, please visit: www.GregMcDonaldFoundation.org

Blindness Awareness Event to Kick Off Scholastic Hockey Season

Nine high-school boys’ hockey team and one girls’ team will be on hand for the Philadelphia Blind Hockey Showcase, which is set for Thursday, October 24 at Hatfield Ice.

The Philadelphia Blind Hockey organization is staging the event for the second year in a row to commemorate Blindness Awareness Month.

The teams will skate using vision-restricted goggles which are intended to simulate various types of vision loss/vision issues.

The participating teams will include Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South North Penn, and Pennridge from the SHSH, Father Judge, Haverford, and Penncrest from the ICSHL, and Holy Ghost Prep and Malvern Prep from the APAC.

The Pennridge girls’ team will also be on hand along with the Philadelphia Flyers Warriors and the Neumann University men’s club team.

Doors will open at 5:30. The first games will begin at 6:10.

Admission will be $5.

Hockey Happenings is seeking writers to assist with our coverage of scholastic hockey in the Philadelphia area this season. Seeking reliable individuals knowledgeable hockey who are available on weeknights. Writing experience preferred.

For details, contact us at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com