HATFIELD—It was a memorable debut to put it mildly.  Braydon Russo’s goal with 52.2 seconds remaining in regulation gave Devon Prep a 4-3 win over Holy Ghost Prep Wednesday afternoon at Hatfield Ice.

The game winner concluded a comeback that saw the Tide overcome a 3-1 second-period deficit to win their season opener. The fact that the win came in their official debut in the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference made the occasion all the more memorable.

“It’s easily the biggest league win we’ve ever had,” said Devon Prep coach Matt Fabrizio. “We’re playing in a league that’s full of giants and amazing schools and amazing programs.

“It was a scary drive over because I was like ’What did I get us into’ but I think we proved we belonged, which was the most important thing I wanted to see.”

Russo delivered the game winner when he controlled a loose puck just beyond the offensive left faceoff circle and beat La Salle goaltender Anthony Foster. The senior assisted on two other Devon Prep goals.

The affair got off to a fast start. La Salle (0-1) started the scoring when Quinn Leonards beat Noah Russo, Braydon’s younger brother, in the Devon Prep net just 72 seconds into the first period. Patrick Cleary answered for the Tide just nine seconds later stability was restored until William Padulka put La Salle in front with 54 seconds remaining in the period.

Padulka extended the Explorers’ lead 43 seconds into the second frame, and the hosts maintained a two-goal advantage until Daniel Dowling answered for Devon Prep just over six minutes later.

Despite trailing by a goal going into the third period, the Tide remained upbeat.

“Even when we were down, we stayed positive on the bench Braydon Russo said. “There were no negative comments. Everybody was staying positive, picking each other up. I think that was the biggest thing.”

That positivity paid off when Jonathan Eves tied the game off a scramble in front with 9:20 left in regulation to set the stage for Russo’s winning effort.

The Tide enjoyed a 35-28 edge in shots.

La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner felt his team was outworked.

“We’re not going to win many games giving up 35 shots,” he said. “They’re a solid team. And they outworked us for easily two periods; two-and-a-half periods.”

Muehlbronner, who is starting his 30th season as the Explorers’ head coach, says a strong work ethic will be essential to his team’s success.

“It’s what we pride our program on,” he said. “As far as we came last year learning that, that’s what we need to be successful, we need to get back to that mindset.”

Devon Prep 1 0 3—4

La Salle 2 1 0—3

First-period goals: Quinn Leonards (L) from Liam Greenwalt and Tyler Welch, 1:12; Patrick Cleary (DP) from Braydon Russo, 1:21; William Podulka (L) from Daniel Burke and River Carangi, 16:06

Second-period goals: Podulka (L) from Carangi and Burke, :43; Daniel Dowling (DP) from Russo, 6:51

Third-period goals: Jonathan Eves (DP) from William Epperson, 7:40; Russo (DP) unassisted, 16:08

Shots: Devon Prep 35, La Salle 28

Saves: Noah Russo (DP) 25, Anthony Foster (L) 31

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