The final numbers on the scoreboard were misleading. True enough, Holy Ghost Prep prevailed over Salesianum 5-2 Thursday night in a Class AAA Flyers Cup semifinal at Hatfield Ice Arena.
The top-seeded Firebirds (20-4-1) earned a place in next Wednesday’s final (6:00 puck drop at Hatfield Ice) against La Salle.
Thursday’s matchup was the second meeting of the season between the two schools. The Firebirds won the first 5-1 on January 9th.
But on this night, for two periods, the fifth-seeded Sallies gave Holy Ghost Prep all it could handle and going into the third frame the teams were deadlocked at 2-2. The Firebirds put the way by scoring three goals in the third period.
Brady Logue, who paced the Firebirds with a three-goal effort, started the scoring 7:27 into the first period. It was the only goal of the opening frame.
Salesianum (18-4) tied the game on a goal from Jerry DiStefano 8:34 into the middle period Logue answered with his second goal of the game with 4:19 left in the period but when Sean Albert found the back of the net 80 seconds later, the two team were deadlocked once more.
“They did a good job of taking us out of our game,” said Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie. “So, we made some adjustments. I think we got back to what’s worked for us in the third period.”
Once the final period commenced, the Firebirds did their best to make up for lost time. Chase Logue extended his team’ lead 5:17 into the period. Lucas Gonzalez made it a 4-1 at the 7:05 mark before Brady Logue completed his hat trick with 53 seconds remaining.
“Once {Salesianum} scored {their first goal} the momentum kind of changed” said Holy Ghost Prep captain Ryan Lippy. “The kind of stopped our momentum.
“And then we kind of realized that we needed to pick it up but we didn’t start picking it up until the third.”
Holy Ghost Prep enjoyed a 34-20 edge in shots.
Lippy said he and his teammates entered the third period refocused.
“We decided to put the emotion aside,” he said. “And just play our game, play how we should play.”
Salesianum coach Brian LeBlanc celebrated what his team accomplished this season.
“The team executed on every aspect of our game,” he said. “It was a special group of players who played for each other; our family. I’m very proud of what they accomplished this year. Unfortunately injuries during the last two weeks took down some firepower.
“Thank you to the Flyers Cup committee who worked hard to organize a great tournament for these young men.”
• Holy Ghost Prep last won a Flyers Cup in 2017. Salesianum won three Cups in the now-defunct New Jersey/Delaware Division, most recently in 2023, the last year that division existed.
Salesianum 0 2-0—2
Holy Ghost Prep 1 1 3—5.
First-period goal: Brady Logue (HGP) unassisted, 7:27
Second-period goals: Jerry DiStefano (S) unassisted, 8:34; Brady Logue (HGP) from Joe Spadaccino and Santino Tibero, 12:41; Sean Albert (S) from MIchael Cellucci and Braeden Graham, 14:01
Third-period goals: Chase Logue (HGP) from William Harmr, 5:17; Lucas Gonzalez (HGP) from Colin Bara and Brian Kinniry, 7:05; Brady Logue (HGP) unassisted, 16:07
Shots: Salesianum 20, Holy Ghost Prep 34: Saves: Gavin Needs (S) 29, Jack Unger (HGP) 18
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