Month: November 2024

Holy Ghost Prep 3 La Salle 1

BRISTOL—Holy Ghost Prep made a statement Monday afternoon, one that will reverberate through the area. Anthony Valeriote scored two goals and Jack Botthof was stellar in goal as the Firebirds prevailed over defending Founders Cup and Flyers Cup champion La Salle 3-1 at Grundy Arena.

The win marked a successful start for Holy Ghost Prep (2-0 overall) in APAC play.

It was the first setback for the Explorers in APAC play sincere the 2022-23 season and the reason was Botthof. The Explorers (2-1, 1-1 in conference) fired 37 shots at him, the junior stopped all but one of them. His best work came in the middle period when the Explorers outshot the Firebirds 19-6.

“We left him out to dry in that second,” Valeriote said. “You can’t anything more from him there. He kept us in that game. Without him, it’s a completely different game.”

The Firebirds jumped in front 3:36 into the first period after a pair of penalties gave the hosts a five-on-three power and Valeriote capitalized.

La Salle had the better of the play middle period but Botthof kept the Explorers at bat with one quality save after another.

“When I’m in that state, nothing else matters besides the game at that point,” he said. “

One of Botthof’s best saves came when he denied Grant LaGreca from close range with three-and-a-half minutes left in the period.

“After those big saves, I feel the energy on the bench and in me both rise up,” he said, “so we hopefully get back in the swing of things.”

Anthony Valeriote celebrates after finding the net against La Salle on Monday. He scored two goals in Holy Ghost Prep’s 3-1 win (Robert Barnes photo)

With 2:21 left the second frame La Salle appeared to have tied the game on a rebound off a goal-mouth scrum but the goal was waved off due to a and pass, a decision with which La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner vociferously disagreed.

The call seemed to take some energy out of the Explorers; Valeriote extended Holy Ghost Prep’s lead by converting a rebound of Brady Logue’s original shot. Logue himself made it a 3-0 game with 9:25 left in regulation after weaving his way through traffic in the offensive zone.

LaGreca ended Botthof’s bid for a shutout with 4:33 remaining in regulation.

“I thought we played a tremendous second period,” Muehlbronner said. We let up the first goal on a five-on-three and got back to work after that. I think we played a really good game after that.

“Our second period was tremendous; we had a lot of great opportunities. We scored a goal, they took it back. I don’t know what the referee saw there, but that’s the way it goes.”

Valeriote saw Wednesday’s result as a springboard for the balance of the APAC season.

“[It was important] to come in here in our home barn and send a message,” he said. “Show the rest of the league who we are and give ourselves an identity.”

La Salle 0 0 1—1

Holy Ghost Prep 1 0 2—3

First-period goal: Anthony Valeriote (HGP) from Chase Logue and Brady Logue, 3:36 (pp)

Third-period goals: Anthony Valeriote (HGP) from Brady Logue and Chase Logue, :22; Brady Logue (HGP) from Valeriote and Jack Gavaghan, 7:35; Grant LaGreca (L) from Declan Kelly, 12:27

Shot: La Salle 37, Holy Ghost Prep 28; Saves: Jake Rossi (L) 25, Jack Botthof 36

SHSHL and ICSHL to Stage Interleague Series

Tonight marks the start of a new partnership between the Suburban High Hockey League and the Inter County Scholastic Hockey League; the first two in a series of 12 interleague games between the two leagues as part of the regular-season schedule that will be played between tonight and December 5.

Tonight, Wissahickon from the SHSHL will face Strath-Haven from the ICSHL at Ice Works in Aston and Downingtown West from the ICSHL will host Central Bucks South from the SHSHL at Ice Line (the full schedule is listed below).

The two leagues square off against each other annually in the Flyers Cup tournament and regular-season interleague games are not new. This year’s series of games however, have more significance because the results will be considered by the Flyers Cup Committee when evaluating potential invitees.

Beyond the Flyers Cup tournament however, the series shines a spotlight on high-school hockey. Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna is looking forward to the crossover games.

“We go into the Flyers Cup every year blind [against the Inter County League teams] and how we match up,” he said. I know they’ve talked about it for a couple years and the coaches were all on board. It’s something I think is long overdue.

“I think for both leagues, to get a chance to see teams from the other league and it breaks up the monotony of the season and it gives you a different look altogether. It’s really cool thing they’re doing.”

Montagna likes playing interleague games as a change of pace,

“We maybe go down to Ice Line and whoever we’re playing brings a lot of fans in for a regular-season game,” he said. “It’s a playoff atmosphere you don’t always get when we’re playing teams two or three times a year.”

Haverford High coach John Povey says the series will be a boost for the high-school version of the sport.

“It’s something we’ve been trying to do for some time now,” he said. We just think it’s great for high-school hockey. When you get teams from each league, you’re going to get good hockey games and all that does promote the league promote the sport.

“It’s something we’ve been trying to do for a while and being able to make it happen this year is really good and it’s good for high-school hockey.”

Povey is no stranger to interleague games.
“We’ve been doing preseason games with each other for the last 10-plus years,” he says. “This is just a little bit different because it’s going to have a lot more meaning to it.”

When Shaun McGinty was playing high-school hockey at Council Rock High in the mid-1990s under legendary coach Paul Gilligan the Indians competed regularly against teams from throughout the area, including Delaware and Chester Counties.

McGinty notes that Gilligan wanted his teams to face the strongest opposition available.

“His mindset was to compete with the best to be the best.” McGinty said. “He always pushed his program and us as players.”

As a head coach himself, McGinty has regularly sought out top-flight non-league opposition.

“I’ve done it here from the time I was here with [former coach Tom Coyne},” said, “and since Tom’s left I’ve kept it going with Haverford and Father Judge. I’ve played Ghost and La Salle and those teams are great.

We’ve played Haverford and we’ve played Conestoga. It’s good that the leagues are doing it again. It’s great for the kids and good for the coaches to see what others leagues have.”

McGinty notes that games like the one his team will play Friday night against Downingtown East are tutorials of sorts for younger players who aspire to compete at the school varsity level.

“We try to sell our middle school here,” he said. When we’re in playoffs, we try to get the middle school kids come out to see the big boys play and promote the idea that ‘This is where I’ve got to get too, this is where I have to work to to get to this level of play. You’re going to see some talent. It’s a great way to promote the game and I think it’s huge.”

Crossover Schedule

Friday 11-8 Strath Haven 3 Wissahickon 1 at Ice Works

Friday 11-8 Downingtown East 6 C.B. South 1 at Ice Line

Wednesday 11-13 Prnnridge 6 Boyertown 3 at Hatfield

Thursday 11-14 Marple-Newtown at Hatboro-Horsham 7:10 at Hatfield

Thursday 11-14 Conestoga at Neshaminy   7:20 at Grundy

Friday 11-15 North Penn at Downingtown West 7:50 at Ice Line

Friday 11-15 Pennsbury at Spring-Ford 7:15 at Oaks

Friday 11-15 Central Bucks East at Avon Grove 8:00 at Ice Line

Wednesday 11-20 Lower Merion at Souderton 7:20 at Hatfield

Thursday 11-21 Radnor at Plymouth Whitemarsh 7:10 at Hatfield

Thursday 11-21 Haverford at Council Rock South 7:20 at Grundy

Thursday 12-5   Abington at Harriton    8:00 at Skatium

C.B. South 5 Pennridge 4 OT

HATFIELD—For drama, this one was hard to top. J.D. Crouch scored on a shorthanded breakaway just before the overtime-ending buzzer to give Central Bucks South a stunning 5-4 win over Pennridge Thursday night in a SHSHL National Division meeting at Hatfield Ice Arena.

The Titans overcame a 3-0 second-period deficit to post their second consecutive win of the young season.  The Rams (1-1) saw a four-point effort from Shane Dachowski go unrewarded; the senior delivered three goals and an assist. And Pennridge goaltender Jacob Winton was credited with 57 saves in the losing effort.

Dachowski was at the forefront of the game’s penultimate sequence; he had a clear path to the net when he was taken down by the Titans’ Sean Cutter, who was called for tripping with 9.6 seconds remaining in the five-minute overtime. allowing the Rams to put an extra skater on the ice. Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna’s lobbying effort for a penalty shot was unsuccessful.

Crouch got control of the puck off the ensuing offensive right-circle faceoff and headed for the other end of the ice, hoping to win the race against time.

“It was kind of just a lucky bounce,” he said. “I chipped it of the wall and the [defensemen] stepped and gave me all the time. There was not much time on the clock so I just had to shoot it. I heard my teammates on the bench yelling to shoot it, so I just ripped it.”

After a scoreless first period, it was the Rams, who took command in the second frame with a goal from Shane Venner followed by a pair from Dachowski to build a three-goal advantage. But Dominic Gibson and Joey Slobodrian scored goals for the Titans 51 seconds apart to make it a one-goal game with 3:41 left in the period.

Dachowski and Slobodrian traded goals before the second period ended; Gibson tied the game with 6:19 left in regulation.

Pennridge started the overtime with a four-skaters-to-three advantage after the Titans’ Logan Hood was flagged for interference with 42 seconds left in regulation but the Rams couldn’t take advantage.

South coach Shaun McGinty celebrated his team’s comeback.

“That’s a never-give-up attitude,” said. “That’s a team effort. [62] shots to 36, obviously, we’re getting the shots and controlling that end of the game. But [Winton] is an unbelievable goaltender. They obviously have guys that are going to do damage when they have the puck.

“Dachowski is a phenomenal player and he’s just going to do what he does.”

Montagna credited his team for its effort, Winton in particular.

“Jacob was obviously unbelievable in net,” he said. “I can’t say enough good things about our team tonight. They played a phenomenal game. I’m proud of them, I really am.

C.B. South 0 3 1 1—5

Pennridge 0 4 0 0—4

Second-period goals: Shane Venner (P) from Kaden Gunning, 2:00; Shane Dachowski (P) unassisted, 4:42; Dachowski (P) from James Rush, 11:02;  Dominic Gibson (CBS) from Jeff Kvecher and Sean Cutter, 12:28 (pp); Joey Slobodrian (CBS) from Cutter, 13:19; Dachowski (P) from Rush, 14:43; Slobodrian (CBS) from Logan Hood and Jake Stepp, 16:02

Third-period goal: Gibson (CBS) from Slobodrian, 10:41

Overtime goal: J.D. Crouch (CBS) unassisted, 0:00

Shots: C.B. South 62, Pennridge 36; Saves: Nate Neapolitan (CBS) 32, Jacob Winton (P) 57

La Salle 4 St. Joseph’s Prep 2

HATFIELD—The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference’s seventh season got off to a scintillating start Wednesday afternoon. St. Joseph’s Prep and La Salle played an entertaining 51 minutes of hockey before the Explorers left Hatfield Ice Arena as 4-2 winners in a rematch of La Salle’s win in last year’s Founders Cup final.

There was little to choose between the two sides.

“It was really fun,” said La Salle’s Jacob Warner. “We’re rivals, everyone around here knows any game against St. Joe’s is a good game.

“I think we came in here and knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game. All the guys knew they were not going to roll over and die for us. They’re going to bring it.”

LaSalle’s Jacob Warner sets ip in front of the net against St. Joseph’s Prep on Wednesday. The Hawks’ Declan Geary is the goaltender (Robert Barnes photo

The Explorers were shorthanded because of injuries and coach Wally Muehlbronner chose to rotate three lines rather than his usual four.

“I think only having three lines hurt us,” he said. “We didn’t have a ton of jump throughout the game. We had our spurts but weren’t able to really get a lot of sustained pressure at times. We kind of went in spurts.”

Warner, a senior, played a significant role in the day’s events. He scored first goal of the afternoon 4:17 into the opening period period after collecting a feed from Julian Tarsi who started the play with a run down the right wing.

The two combined again 55 seconds into the second frame when Tarsi scored from close range on a play that saw Warner pick up the primary assist.

Meantime, Jake Rossi was sharp in the Explorer net; he made 25 saves over the course of the first two periods.

Nole Donahue extended La Salle’s lead 7:24 into the final session and the hosts seemed to have things well in hand, particularly when back-to-back penalties put the Hawks two men down for 32 seconds with just 4:23 left in the game.

But Carter Short gave his team a jolt of energy when the Explorers lost the puck at center ice, sending Short away on a shorthanded breakaway. His goal with 2:47 remaining gave the Hawks a boos but Grant LaGreca answered for La Salle 27 seconds later.

Bradan Fisher finished the scoring when he found the back of the net for the Hawks (0-1) with 30 seconds remaining.

Despite the result, Hawks coach David Giacomin  expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance.

“All in all, we played pretty well,” he said. “We moved our feet and we proved we can be on the same ice with a team like [La Salle]. We’re relatively young still, return quite a bit from last year, but they were all really young, so all in all it was a fairly even game except for a couple shots they made.”

Warner noted the importance of the Explorers (2-0) staring APAC play with an impressive win against an opponent that have a quality effort of its own.

“I think that’s huge,’ Warner said. ”When you get evenly matched teams, it’s good because while you do build confidence when you blow somebody out, it’s not really great because then you’re going to go in and think you’re going to blow out every other team you play.”

St. Joseph’s Prep 0 0 2—2

La Salle 1 1 2—4

First-period goals: Jacob Warner (L) from Julian Tarsi, 4:17

Second-period goal: Tarsi (L) from Warner and Tristan Mitchell, :55

Third-period goal: Nole Donahue (L) from Michael Esmond, 7:24; Carter Short (SJP) unassisted, 14:13 (sh); Grant LaGreca (L) from Alex Gibson, 14;40; Braden Fisher (SJP) from Michael Castelli and Tommy Ely, 16:30

Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 32, La Salle 36; Saves: Declan Geary (SJP) 32, Jake Rossi (L) 30

For more about St. Joseph’s Prep CLICK HERE

For More about La Salle CLICK HERE

Holy Ghost Prep 8 Devon Prep 3

BRISTOL­—Monday marked the start of a new season for Holy Ghost Prep. The afternoon offered glimpses of the type of hockey team it hopes to become.

Anthony Valeriote   scored three goals and five other players scored one goal each as the Firebirds bested Devon Prep 8-3 in a non-league encounter at Grundy Arena.

The day’s events gave Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie some insights into where his team is with the APAC opener against La Salle now less than a week away.

“I think we needed a convincing victory,” he said, “and to just get started off on the right foot for this season. I think we came out and did that for the most part.”

Valeriote made sure the Firebirds got off to a good start; he scored the first goal of the game from the low slot just 37 seconds after the opening faceoff. But the Tide, who took the ice Monday having won two games against Class AA opposition, responded three-and-a-half minutes later when Kieran Crossan beat Jack Unger in the Holy Ghost Prep net.

Valeriote put the hosts back in front with 7:58 left in the period before the Firebirds broke the game open in the second frame. Mike Previtera, Valeriote, Joe Kaufmann, and Brian Kinniry all scored goals in a span of 2 minutes, 12 seconds, sending Tide goaltender Grant Gale to the bench and putting the hosts in complete control with a 6-1 lead with 7:09 still left in the second period.

For the Tide, which are in just their third season of ice hockey, it was another step in the evolutionary process. Devon Prep coach Matt Fabrizio spoke about what it was like to take the ice against an APAC opponent. The Tide compete in the Prep/Catholic Division of the Inter County League where they are aligned with Father Judge, Salesianum, Haverford School, and a co-op team that blends Bishop Shanahan and Coatesville.

“I think the biggest difference is the speed of the game,” Fabrizio said. “The way that a Holy Ghost plays, the way their feet never stop moving, the way they backcheck, the way attack the zone, the way they send their forwards crashing to that far post, is all a lesson.

“As the game went on, we got stronger, but when we watch that game film, they’re going to watch [Holy Ghost Prep.] I want them to watch what they do and learn from that.”

Holy Ghost Prep’s Joe Kaufmann battles Devon Prep’s Danny Pucci in Wednesday’s game (photo: Robert Barnes)

Braydon Russo scored for the Tide before the second period ended and Crossan pocketed his second goal of the game 87 seconds into the third session before Logan Barnes and Spadaccino added additional goals for the Firebirds.

Ritchie expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance.

“We were missing a big piece up front for this game due to injury,’ he said, “but I thought we did a nice job of picking up. the slack. I know we have four lines that can contribute and produce. So, offensively we did a great job, Defensively, we have to clean up.”

Senior defenseman Ryan Lippy, the Firebirds’ captain said he and his teammates played with self-assurance.

“We played really confident,” he said. “We moved the puck well and we played how we should be playing. But we had a couple mistakes which led to goals and I think we can pick it up next week.”

Devon Prep 1 1 1—3

Holy Ghost Prep 2 4 2—6

First-period goals: Anthony Valeriote (HGP) unassisted, :37; Kieran Crossan (DP) from Braydon Russo and Logan Reaney, 4:08; Vaeriote (HGP) from Joe Spadaccino, 7:58

Second-period goals: Mike Previtera (HGP) from Logan Barnes and Valeriote, 4:57; Valeriote (HGP) from Chase Logue and Joe Kaufmann, 5:17; Kaufmann (HGP) from Logue 5:59; Brian Kinniry (HGP) from Kaufmann, 7:09 (pp); Russo (DP) from Crossan and Reaney, 13:13

Third-period goals: Crossan (DP) from Russo, 1:27 (pp); Logan Barnes (HGP) unassisted, 1:54 (sh); Spadaccino (HGP) from Brady Flynn and Logue, 15:28

Shots: Devon Prep 27, Holy Ghost Prep 52 Saves: Grant Gale (DP) 33 and Aidan Wright (DP) 11; Jack Unger (HGP) 24

SHSHL Preview 2024-25

The Suburban High School Hockey League has embarked on a new season. Here’s a look at how the 2025-25 campaign shapes up.

National Division

Central Bucks East

Coach: Jeff Mitchell (fifth season)

Last year: 12-7-2, 11-5-2 in the division; Flyers Cup invitee

Key players: Sr. Cole Breen (G); Sr. D.J. Brown (D); Sr. Charlie Keiser (D); Sr. Jaden Young (F); Sr. Gavin Widmer (F)

Outlook: The Patriots will rely on their experience on defense and in goal to show the way this season. Brown and Keiser are solid blueliners and Breen is a premier netminder.

Central Bucks South

Coach: Shaun McGinty (ninth season)

Last year: 15-8-1, 12-5-1 in divisional play: Flyers Cup invitee

Key players: Sr. Nate Napolitano (G); Sr. Jake Stepp (D); Sr. Sean Cutter (F); Sr. Jeff Kvecher

Outlook: No matter how the winds blow, the Titans always field an experienced lineup, one that features scoring balance. This year’s group is no exception. There is an established corps of veterans being counted on to show the way for their teammates.

Central Bucks West

Coach: Dave Baun (20th season)

Last year: 3-14-1, 3-14-1 in divisional play

Key players: So. Isaak Mays (G); Sr. Blake Hager (D); Sr. Zane Sanders (F); Sr. Jack Misoda (F); Sr. Anthony Dowd (F)

Outlook: The Bucks have one of the smallest rosters in the division, one that includes just 14 skaters and a goaltender.

But there are several experienced seniors on hand to provide leadership and Mays, despite the fact he’s just a sophomore, is a quality goaltender,

Council Rock North

Coach: Ryan Dorsey (second season)

Last year: 5-14, 4-14 in divisional play

Key players: Jr. Michael Jacoby (G); Jr. Danny Maglathlin (D); Sr. Jackson Accardi (F); So. Ivan Bondra (F); So. Sean Davies (F); So. Rory Davies (F)

Outlook: The Indians took some graduation hits in the offseason but some promising newcomers will strengthen the lineup.

“We graduated a lot of players and a lot of production last season,” Dorsey said. “We return a good amount of experience this season, and we’re welcoming in a small but very talented freshman class. “While we’re facing some unknowns, our group has really come together nicely in preseason.”

Council Rock South

Coach: Joe Houk (19th season)

Last year: 23-2, 17-1 in divisional play. Won National Division title; Class AA Flyers Cup finalist

Key players: Jr. Trey Prizzilo (G); Sr. Danny Fillipov (D); Sr. Peter Pereborow (D); So. Wes Mallon (D); Jake Mauer (F); Jake Weiner (F); Jeremy Rayher (F); Jackson Mosley (F); Jordan Sarne (F);

Outlook: The Golden Hawks come in to the season looking to claim their third consecutive divisional title; something that hasn’t been done at the Class AA level since 2018. The lineup is solid. Weiner is the division’s top returning scorer after recording 28 regular-season goals a season ago. Mauer and Mosley are being counted on for production as well. Fillipov and Peroborough are solid on the blue line and Prizzillo is experienced in goal.

Neshaminy

Coach: Bill Mooney (first season)

Last year: 1-14-3, 1-14-3 in divisional play

Key players: Sr. Colin Thurnau (G); Sr. Liam Mooney (D); Ryan DeMatteo (F); Jr. Angelo Veneziale (F); Fr. Nate Parker (F)

Outlook: Mooney takes over behind the bench for Bill Keyser. The ‘Skins are in something of a rebuild mode but there is experience on hand in the presence of Mooney on defense and DeMatteo up front.

North Penn

Coach: Kevin Vaitis (16th season)

Last year: 13-10, 11-7 in divisional play; Flyers Cup invitee

Key players: So. Aidan Quigley (G); Jr. James Boyle (D); Jr. Danny Cabrales (D); Jr. Chase Kelly Del-Ricci (D); Sr. Cole Pluck (F); So. Sam Norton (F); Jr. Nolan Shingle (F); So. Chris Silvotti (F);
Outlook: The Knights took some big steps forward last season and are looking to do the same this time around with a lineup that blends youth with 13 returnees.

“We have come into this season looking to build upon the success of last season and hopefully do even better,” Vaitis said. We have a lot of speed up front and our defense and goaltending is very solid.

“We feel we have some unfinished business. We are really excited to see how we can come together as a team and works towards our goals that we have laid out in front of us.”

Pennridge

Coach: Jeff Montagna (seventh season)

Last year: 22-2-2, 17-0-1 in divisional play; defending Class AA Flyers Cup and state champions

Key players: Sr. Jacob Winton (G); Sr. Nick Young (D); Sr. Jared Garber (D); Sr. Josh Kelly (D); Sr. Shane Dachowski (F); Jr. James Rush (F)

Outlook: After winning their second Class AA Flyers Cup title and second state championship in three years what do the Rams do for an encore? Nine skaters return from last season and Winton is a quality goaltender but there are some big holes to fill.

“We will have to play different than we have in the past,” Montagna said, “and need guys to step up in different roles than they are used to. Our success will depend on our defense and how fast they come around. We will be strong in net but need to find secondary scoring.” 

Pennsbury

Coach: Ryan Daley (eighth season)

Last year: 4-14-1, 4-13-1 in divisional play

Key players: Jr. Brendan Milliken (G). Sr. Chris Sarver (D), Sr. Kevin DeRosa (D), Jr. Shane Gleisner (F), Soph. Jake Sarver (F)

Outlook: The loss of seven seniors to graduation means the Falcons will have some young players filling key roles. Chris Sarver on the blue line will provide a veteran’s perspective.

“We’re excited about the new additions to the team this year,” Daley said. We look forward to building new chemistry and concepts this season.

“It’s been fun getting the new guys acclimated with our style of play. We are on the younger side this year, but we have a great new core of players that will learn a lot from the upperclassmen that have won in this league.”

Souderton

Coach: Scott Ryon (first season)

Last year: 7-11, 7-11 in divisional play

Key players: Sr. Connor Paulus (G); Sr. Nick Smith (D); Sr. Patrick Callahan (D); Jr. Max Ryon (F)

Outlook: Scott Ryon takes over behind the bench for Ryan Uchniat. Paulus returns in goal and Max Ryon figures to be one of the area’s top point producers. The key to this year’s success hinges on the evolution of the younger players on the roster.

We are looking forward to building off of last year’s progress,” Scott Ryon said. “We expect some of our younger players to take a big step forward this year.”

American Division

Abington

Head Coach: Ken Brzozowski (eighth season)

Last year: 5-10-1, 5-7 in division

Key players: So. Matt Evangelist (G); So. Ben Biko (D); Jr. Moses Garcia (D); So. Mason Murdoch (D); Jr. Jamison Donofry (F); Jr. Hezikiah Brown (F)

Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts will field one of the youngest lineups in the SHSHL. The roster features 13 underclassmen and no seniors. But there is experience in spots, notably with Donofry up front and Garcia and Biko on the blue line.

Brzozowski is looking for youthful exuberance and a strong work ethic to be a formula for success.

Hatboro-Horsham

Head Coach Shane Smith (fourth season)

Last year: Formed a co-op team with Upper Dublin

Key players: Sr. Connor Smith (D); Sr. Brady Gurt (D); Sr. Victor Wilkins (F); Sr. Darius Graziani (F); Jr. Frank Stanchek (F); Jr Nate Nemchinov (F)

Outlook: After being on the outside looking in, the Hatters, whose hickey tradition dates back more than half a century, are once again full-fledged members of the SHSHL. Experience comes in the form of Smith and Gurt on defense and Wilkins, Graziani, and Nemchinov up front.

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Head Coach: Vince Forti (first season)

Last year: 13-5, 11-1 in divisional play, Flyers Cup invitee

Key players: Sr. Julian Lucks (G); Sr. Charlie Spause (D); Sr. Daniel Guller (D); Jr. Ryan Jagher (D); Sr. Ryan Campell (F)

Outlook: The Colonials come into the season off winning the regular-season championship a year ago and reaching the Flyers Cup tournament. They’re particularly strong on the blue line; Guller scored 19 regular-season goals last year, and Lucks is the most experienced goaltender in the division.

“The players are working extremely hard in practice,” Forti said. “We will continue to work hard and plan to be extremely competitive.”

Springfield

Head Coach: Don Quinn (second season)

Last year: 3-12, 3-9 in the division

Key players: Sr. Liam Baskin (G); Sr. Jack Sarsfield (G); Sr. Owen Quinn (D); Sr. Felix Boccella (D); Sr. Chris Cahill (F); Sr. Gabriel Wells (F); Sr. Thomas Manchester (F); Sr. Ronan Klein (F)

Outlook: The Spartans took some big strides last year in their second SHSHL season and Quinn expects that trend to continue. “We won a few games late in the year last season,” he said. “The team is ready to work hard and compete one shift at a time all season.”

Wissahickon

Head Coach: James Rumsey (second season)

Last year: 2-13, 2-10 in the division

Key players: Jr. Fletcher Lynch (G); Sr. Alex Winkowski (D); Sr. Aiden Brooks (D); Jr. Logan Dicus (D); Sr. Jack Raebiger (F); Sr. Sabrina Honeycutt (F); Sr. John Kuffner (F); So. Ben Raebiger (F); So. Joey Gambino (F)

Outlook: The Trojans offer an abundance of experience, including six seniors, which gives Rumsey reason for optimism.

“The boys and girls have looked great in practice,” he said. “We have a core group of men and women that have been personified everything our club stands for and we look forward to seeing what they will bring to their last season.”

Thank you for your interest in Hockey Happenings and scholastic hockey. If you’re interested in promoting your product, service, organization, or event, contact us here or at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com

Garnet Valley 12 Springfield-Delco 5

ASHTON—Springfield-Delco and Garnet Valley came out with all engines firing Friday night. What transpired was not an artistic masterpiece but hockey fans who prefer an abundance of scoring left Ice Works satisfied in the wake of the Jaguars 12-5 Central League win.

The goal-scoring barrage started early when Springfield’s Jake Heston beat Garnet Valley goaltender Garrett Stoops just seven seconds after the opening faceoff. Jake Robinson responded for the Jaguars three-and-a-half minutes later and the fireworks display continued unabated.

By the time the first period ended, eight goals had been scored and the Jaguars (2-0) had a 6-2 lead. They stayed in control the rest of the way.

Kaden Longo paced the Jaguars with a hat trick. He also added an assist. A.J. Tenhuisen scored twice and seven other players scored one goal each.

Heston scored twice for the Cougars (1-2).

It was a tough night to be a goaltender. Springfield’s Aidan Fifti saw 40 shots while Garrett Stoops, his Garnet Valley counterpart, had to deal with 31.

Garnet Valley assistant coach Pat Conway thought his team performed well after an uncertain start.

“We were a little sloppy in the first period,” he said, “but we kind of brought back together, started passing the puck and moving the puck around. Letting their practice take over and capitalize on being a team.”

Conway noted the importance of his players remaining committed to the team concept.

“Once they get back into a grove of realizing we got that lead because we were playing like a team and they get back on track playing as a team, it works out a lot better,” he said.

Garnet Valley defenseman Nolan Stott scored a shorthanded goal in the closing seconds of the first period and later added an assist. He was admittedly surprised by his team’s margin of victory.

“I thought it would be way closer,” he said. “In the last couple years, all the games have been close so I thought it would have been closer but the boys came together today. We really rallied against them and worked as a team and got the job done.”

Stott spoke to the importance of getting off to a fast start in the Central League race.

“It means everything to get a fast start,” he said. “Get on the horse early, let the other teams know we’re not here to mess around and we want this league.”

Springfield coach Dan Dilbeck said the evening was another step in his team’s development.

“We have a young team that’s still trying to figure some things out,” he said. “We’re still trying to jell together as a team and sometimes we just get outworked. And that’s what we have to figure out.

Springfield 2 1 2—5

Garnet Valley 6 3 3—12

First-period goals: Jake Heston (S) unassisted, :07; Jake Robinson (GV) from Kevin Walton and Evan Reilly, 3:40; Kaden Longo (GV) from A.J. Tenheuisen, 5:05; Chase Robinson (GV) unassisted, 10:35; Heston (S) from Cole Kuzmick and Mason Stallings, 14:06; Tenhuisen (GV) from Longo , 14:42; Reilly (GV) from Robinson and Walton, 15:41; Nolan Stott, GV unassisted,16:53 (sh)

Second-period goals: Stallings (S) from Ben Wyant, :07 Owen Parker (GV) unassisted, 11:58; Walton (GV) from Stott and Matt Abbonizio, 13:58; Tenhuisen (GV) from Stott, 16:20

Third-period goals: Brett Rosser (S) from Kuzmick, 5:10; Longo (GV) from Reilly, 5:44; Longo (GV) from Stott and Parker, 11:50; Ryan McGhee (GV) from Tenhuisen; Brendan Becker (S) from Joseph Clifford, 13:14

Shots: Springfield 31, Garnet Valley 40; Saves:  Aidan Fifti (S) 28, Garrett Stoops (GV) 26

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