Hawks Win Purple Puck Title

Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference, Hockey News, Scholastic Hockey News 2 Minutes

For the third time in four years, St. Joseph’s Prep has claimed a title at the Purple Puck Tournament.

Jack Ely and Bradan Fisher scored goals three-and-a-half minutes apart as the Hawks edged fellow APAC member The Hun School 3-2 for the Prep Division championship Monday afternoon at the St. James Sports Complex in Springfield, Virginia just outside Washington, D.C.

St. Joseph’s Prep (11-4 overall) overcame a 2-1 deficit to post its sixth consecutive win and avenge a 2-1 loss overtime loss to the Raiders in an APAC game on December 10.

John Wagner opened the scoring for St. Joseph’s Prep just 1:31 into the 25-minute first half. Jacob Kelly-LePage tied the game for the Raiders (8-4) at the 6:06 mark before Luca Jean gave Hun School a 2-1 lead 8:54 into the half.

The Raiders were undermined however by two major penalties late in the first half. Jean received a five-minute penalty for slashing with 3:47 left in the half and Anders Van Raalte was flagged for head butting with 18 seconds left, putting Hun School two men down to start the third period.

The Hawks took advantage. Ely tied the game exactly one minute into the half and Fisher delivered the game winner at the 4:33 mark with Hun School still one man short.

 “We got lucky to survive through first half only one down,” said St. Joseph’s Prep coach Charlie Van Kula. “I think the two games in one day without leaving the rink threw off our routine and rhythm and it showed with how we came out.

“But we showed a lot of grit to reset and play out game in the second half.

“I’m really proud of our guys, both jayvee and varsity, on how they represented our program, on and off the ice.”

Hun School head coach Nathaniel Welsh missed the tournament because of a family obligation so assistant coach Kevin Morello was in charge behind the Raider bench.

“I’d have to say the more disciplined team came out on top,” he said. I’m still proud of our group. We’ll continue to improve and will see them {St. Joseph’s Prep} again in the APAC.”

Ice chips—Fisher finished the tournament with five goals and four assists. Cole Gargon added five goals and three assists. They were the top two scorers in the six-team Prep Division.

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 2—3

The Hun School 2 0—2

First-half goals: John Warner (SJP) from Michael Castelli, 1:31; Jacob Kelly-LePage (HS) from Conor Mulligan and Devin Espana, 5:06; Luca Jean (HS) from Andrew Darst, 8:54

Second-half goals: Jake Ely (HGP) from Cole Gargon and Noah Stuhl, 1:00 (pp); Bradan Fisher (SJP) from Castelli, 4:33 (pp);

Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 35, Hun School 23; Saves: Declan Geary (SJP) 21, Blake Echternacht (HS) 32

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Published by Rick Woelfel

Rick has worked in print and broadcast journalism for more than 35 years. He's covered golf in one medium or another for more than 30. He is the co-author of the book So You Want to Play Golf with PGA professional Kim Verrecchio and the host of the Women's Golf Report podcast. Most recently, Rick served as an associate editor for The Mulligan Magazine. He also served as an associate editor for Philadelphia Golf Magazine and New Jersey State Golf from 2004-07. Rick covered his first LPGA Tour event in 1986 and continues to cover women's golf for various media outlets. High on his bucket list is having the opportunity to one day play in an LPGA Tour pro am. Rick is also a longtime correspondent for two suburban Philadelphia daily newspapers, the Intelligencer and the Bucks County Courier Times in Doylestown, PA. Over the course of his career he has coverzed a wide variety of sporting events. He is also a veteran play by play and public address announcer, and handles the PA mic for the nationally ranked Delaware Valley University football program. Rick is also a longtime contributor to Referee, a magazine devoted to sports officiating. He called his first baseball game at age 13 and continues to umpire softball and baseball today.

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