The APAC playoffs are still a ways off, but fans who took in Thursday’s matchup between St. Joseph’s Prep and Malvern Prep got a taste of the postseason atmosphere. Cole Gargon’s goal 2:37 into overtime gave the Hawks a 2-1 win that put a damper on the Friars’ Senior Day.
The result assures St. Joseph’s Prep (9-7, 4-3 in the APAC) of a third place in the conference standings with one regular-season conference game remaining against Hun School next Friday. By virtue of the point acquired in the overtime loss, Malvern Prep (3-9, 2-5) will finish fourth, regardless of the result of their regular-season league finale next Wednesday, also against Hun School.
Gargon’s winning goal concluded an overtime session that for most of two minutes played out in the Malvern Prep offensive zone. But a turnover in the neutral zone gave the Hawks their opportunity. They patiently cycled the puck before Frankie Ely deposited it on Gargon’s stick and the sophomore put a shot past Friar goaltender Matt Crawford.
“In overtime, like anything else, it’s a possession game,” said St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin. “and they possessed it.
“You don’t want to overcommit, you want that one turnover so you can start possessing the game. And, if you watched that play develop, he took the puck out of the (Hawks’) offensive zone; they had a little bit of tired legs and all it needs is one move around a guy and we’re walking in and getting shots.”
The two regulation goals came late in the first period. Jake Weingrtner put the hosts in front when he beat Declan Geary in the Hawk net with 4:03 left in the opening session. The goal came when Michael Castelli was in the box serving a roughing infraction, one of eight penalties called in the first period.
The Hawks responded with an even-strength goal from Bradan Fisher, who beat Crawford from the low slot with 1:27 remaining.
From there. The game evolved into a goaltending dual between Geary and Crawford who between them made 48 saves. Both netminders needed to be in top form.
“It’s always fun playing against {Crawford} Geary said. “We’ve practiced with goalie coaches before. It’s a fun environment with Senior Night. It’s a big one.”
Geary said the pressure of a big game sharpens his focus.
“It’dun,” he said. “I don’t like high-scoring game. I like the low-scoring ones here it’s tight and all that. It’s just fun to compete.”
Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan said his team was looking to keep the momentum going after defeating Hun School two days ago.
“We knew it would be a tough battle with St. Joe’s,” he said. “They’re a physical team, they move the puck well.
“Our guys matched it, our intensity was high, we came up a little short.”
The Friars are assured of hosting the postseason play-in game against Hun School sometime prior to February 19 when the semifinal are scheduled. The winner will face Holy Ghost Prep in one semifinal. St. Joseph’s Prep will face La Salle in the other. Both semifinal games will be played at Grundy Arena. The highest seeded finaliat will host the Founders Cup championship game.
St. Joseph’s Prep 1 0 0 1—2
Malvern Prep 1 0 0 0—1
First-period goals: Jake Weingartner (MP) from House Young, 12:57 (pp); Ben Kersun (SJP) from Bradan Fisher, 15:33
Overtime goal: Cole Gargon (SJP) from Frank Ely, 2:37
Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 28, Malvern Prep 23 Saves: Declan Geary (SJP) 22, Matt Crawford (MP) 26
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