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.
Trey Jefferis III scored two goals and four other players scored one goal each as West Chester East downed Springfield Declo 6-2 Monday night to claim the Class A Flyers Cup title at Ice Line. The Vikings will take a perfect 25-0 record into Saturday’ state championship game against Norwin (11:00 at Ice Line). The Cougars finished at 18-2-0-3.
The first period turned into a shootout that featured five goals. and ended with the Vikings holding a 3-2 advantage. Ronan Mulholland scored just 48 seconds to the game to give the Cougars the early lead. Before the ended West Chester East had secured a 3-2 advantage.
Jefferis, Henry Thornton, and Connor Watson all scored for the Vikings in the opening session while Colin Hannigan added a goal for Springfield.
West Chester East broke the game open early in the second period when Danny Tirendi and Chase Becnel scored goals in a span of 1:48. Jefferis added his second goal with 6:24 left in the period.
This marks the third time West Chester East has won the Class A Flyers Cup. The previous two came in 2008 and ’13.
Springfield 2 0 0—2
West Chester East 3 3 0—6
First-period goals: Ronan Mulholland (S) from Adam Baumann, :48; Trey Jefferis (WCE) from Michael Cardarelli, 9:34; Henry Thornton (WCE)from Kyle Gross and Cam Greenawalt, 12:12 (sh); Colin Hannigan (S) from Zach Crain and Dominic Romolini, 13:16 (pp); Connor Watson (WCE) from Cardarelli, 14:49
Second-period goals: Danny Tirendi (WCE) from Thornton and Chase Khounsacknarath,:44; Chase Becnel (WCE) Cardarelli, 2:32 (pp); Jefferis (WCE) from Becnel, 10:36
Shots: Springfield Delco 24, West Chester East 56; Saves: Luca DiMarcantonio(S) 50, Jesse Davis (WCE) 22
WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP— Malvern Prep put on a hockey clinic Monday night. The Friars came out storming right from the opening faceoff and rolled to a 6-1 win over St. Joseph’s Prep in the Class AAA Flyers Cup final at Ice Line.
With the win, the Friars (16-3) became the first team to successfully defend the Class AAA Flyers Cup since 2014. It’s the 10th Cup title in school history.
“I think our mentality is just ‘We want it back,’” said senior Matt Harris. “That’s been the message all year. We knew that we had a mark on our back, but we knew, coming out here, we had to give our all and that for the seniors, it could be our last game out here.”
Harris shouldered his share of the load and then some. He scored three goals and assisted on another Monday night and finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with seven goals and two assists in two games while being named the winner of the Bobby Clarke Award as the tournament’s most valuable player.
Pierre Larocque, Jimmy Jacobs, and Jonathan Holt also scored goals for the Friars. Jacobs and Quinn Dougherty each contributed a pair of assists.
“We have the mentality on our team that anybody can step up and fill a role,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan. “I have guys that play club and I’ve got guys that don’t play club.
“For me, it’s just looking for the right fits in our lineup every day. When the guys come to practice, they compete, they work hard, and they fill in the roles. It’s a ‘Next guy up’ mentality in this locker room and I think that’s what keeps the guys going.”
It didn’t take the top-seeded Friars long to gain a firm hold on the proceedings. Jeremy Jacobs found Larocque in front of the Hawks’ net and Larocque put the puck behind Rocco Bruno just 1:39 into the opening period.
Harris made it a 2-0 game at the 13:08 mark with a shot from the deep right wing off a deflection. He scored his second goal of the night 3:25 into the middle period when he put in a rebound of Jacobs’ shot from the low slot.
Holt found the back of the net at the 4:56 mark, leaving the third-seeded Hawks (10-9-1) down 4-0, prompting their coach, David Giacomin, to use his timeout.
“Unfortunately we gave up that one early,” he said. “The momentum we had coming out of the locker room I thought would have been high. But any time that happens and you’ve got a bunch of young kids, their heads drop a little bit and it took a little while for us to get our legs moving.”
The Friars celebrate with their fellow students following their win over St. Joseph’s Prep Monday night.
St. Joseph’s Prep got a goal from Nick Storti 1:49 into the final frame but Jacobs and Harris scored two minutes apart late in the period to clinch the Cup and send the Hawks into the state championship game against Penguins Cup champion Peters Township Saturday at Ice Line (5:00 start).
No Class AAA team has successfully defended the state title since 2009.
Notes—The All-Tournament team selected by the Flyers Cup Committee, included Harris, Jacobs, and Jeffrey Hammond from St. Joseph’s Prep at forward, Larocque and Storti on defense, and Malvern Prep’s Anthony Perti in goal.
St. Joseph’s Prep 0 0 1—1
Malvern Prep 2 2 2—6
First-period goals: Pierre Larocque (MP) from Jeremy Jacobs, 1:39; Matt Harris (MP) from Caiden Canale and Jimmy Jacobs, 13:08
Second-period goals: Harris (MP) from Jimmy Jacobs and Steven Getsie, 3:25; Jonathan Holt (MP) from Gavin Wilson and Aidan Kelly, 4:56
Third-period goals: Nick Stori (SJP) from Christian Short, 1:49; Jimmy Jacobs (MP) from Harris and Dougherty, 13:14 (pp); Harris (MP) from Dougherty, 15:12 (sh)
Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 31, Malvern Prep 35; Saves: Rocco Bruno (SJP) 29, Anthony Perti (MP) 30
If you need service on your vehicle we suggest Keeble’s Service in Warminster. They’re located at 580 Park Avenue in Warminster, just up the road from the Warminster Train Station. They provide honest, reliable service at a reasonable price. They’re open 5 days a week starting at 7:30 a.m.
Defending champion Malvern Prep and St. Joseph’s Prep are set to square off Monday night in the Class AAA Flyers Cup final. Game time is 6:30 at Ice Line. The Friars are attempting to become the first Class AAA team to successfully defend the Flyers Cup title since La Salle in 2014. Here’s how the two teams match up.
St. Joseph’s Prep
Coach: David Giacomin
Record: 10-8-1
This tournament: Defeated Cardinal O’Hara 6-1 in the first round. Defeated La Salle 2-0 in the semifinals.
Key players:Jeffrey Hammond, 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points in APAC play; 3 goals and 1 assist in the Flyers Cup tournament.
Joey Samango, 8 goals and 2 assists for 10 points in APAC competition; 2 assists in the Flyers Cup.
Dante Passio, 1 goal and 7 assists in the APAC.
Rocco Bruno. Has made 46 saves in 2 Flyers Cup starts
Flyers Cup history: Won Flyers Cup and state titles in 2018
Malvern Prep
Coach: Bill Keenan
Record: 15-3, Founders Cup champion
This tournament: defeated Holy Ghost Prep 6-2 in the semifinals
Key players: Matt Harris, 13 goals and 9 assists for 22 points during the APAC season. Scored four goals and added an assist in the Flyers Cup semifinals.
Jim Jacobs, 8 goals and 9 assists for 17 points during the APAC season.
Jeremy Jacobs, 7 goals, 7 assists for 14 points during the APAC season.
Anthony Perti, Made 35 saves in the semifinals
Flyers Cup history: Won 9 Flyers Cup titles in 1987, ’90, ’97, 2001-05, and 2021. Won state titles in 1990, 2004, and 2021.
Notes: The Hawks and the Friars met twice during the APAC season. Malvern Prep won the first meeting 6-5 on December 10. St. Joseph’s Prep won the rematch 4-2 on January 27. That was Malvern Prep’s only APAC loss.
The winner of this game advances to the Class AAA state championship game on Saturday, March 26 at 5 p.m. at Ice Line.
The Grundy Skate Shop is a full-service hockey pro shop inside the Grundy Arena, offering a great selection of equipment, brands and various services. We do a full range of repairs as well as offer custom hockey jerseys. Owner Bill Keyser, has over 25 years experience in the industry and specializes in skate sharpening, including profiling. Please visit our Facebook page or stop in and check us out!
Jeff Mauro has written a book on the history of the Pennsylvania state high school hockey championship. To find out more and order a copyCLICK HERE
According to the tournament web site, there will be an option to purchase an e-ticket at the rink. on game day as well.
NO PAPER TICKETS WILL BE SOLD
Monday March 21
6:30 Class AAA Final at Ice Line
Malvern Prep vs. St. Joseph’s Prep
8:30 Class A Final at Ice Line
West Chester East vs. Springfield Delco
Tuesday, March 22
7:45 Class AA Final at Hatfield Ice
Pennridge vs. Council Rock South
THIS GAME IS SOLD OUT
Saturday, March 25
11:00 Class A State Championship Game
2:00 Class AA State Championship Game
5:00 Class AAA State Championship Game
All at Ice Line
The Grundy Skate Shop is a full-service hockey pro shop inside the Grundy Arena, offering a great selection of equipment, brands and various services. We do a full range of repairs as well as offer custom hockey jerseys. Owner Bill Keyser, has over 25 years experience in the industry and specializes in skate sharpening, including profiling. Please visit our Facebook page or stop in and check us out!
The Hockey Happenings podcast with Rick Woelfel and Eric Tye can be found HERE
The defending Class AAA Flyers Cup champion Friars scored three times in the first period and went on to a 6-2 win over Holy Ghost Prep Wednesday night in a semifinal game at Ice Line.
Matt Harris scored three goals and assisted on another to lead the Friars into next week’s final against St. Joseph’s Prep. That game will be played at Ice Line (date/time TBD).
Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 2
Malvern Prep 3 2 1—6
First-period goals: Hayden Campbell (MP) from Teague Murray, 5:52; Jimmy Jacobs (MP) from Matt Harris, 9:39; Harris (MP) from Caiden Canale and Pierre Larocque, 10:08
Second-period goals: Harris (MP) from Brady Doyle, 3:02; Harris (MP) from Larocque: 5:17
Third-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) from Ciaran Chambers and Shaun Moore, 6:29 (pp); Harris (MP) unassisted, 14:54 (sh/en); Brian Butler (HGP) unassisted, 15:59
Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 37, Malvern Prep 31; Saves: Jason Soule (HGP) 18 and Colin Mudrick (HGP) 7, Anthony Perti (MP) 35)
Council Rock South 4 Haverford 1
David Vergules scored three goals as the third-seeded Golden Hawks downed the defending champion and second-seeded Fords Wednesday night in a Flyers Cup Class AA semifinal at Ice Line. Julian Wagenmann recoded two assists for the Golden Hawks, who broke the game open with three goals in the third period.
South will face Pennridge next week in the championship game at Hatfield Ice (date/time TBD).
C.R. South 1 0 3—4
Haverford 1 0 0—1
First-period goals: David Vergules (CRS) unassisted, 3:28; Jagur McClelland (H) from Nate Rabadam, 5:19
Third-period goals: Vergules (CRS) from Julian Wagenmann, 4:00; Kevin Koles (CRS) from Wagenmann, 5:43; Vergules (CRS) from Peter Pereborow and Baize Pepe, 15:09 (en)
Shots: Council Rock South 25, Haverford 27; Saves: Carson Lopez (CRS) 26, Jai Jani (H) 21
HATFIELD TOWNSHIP— It was hockey’s equivalent of a first-round knockout. Pennridge scored three times before the contest was nine minutes old and went on to an 8-1 win over Avon Grove Wednesday night at Hatfield Ice Arena.
The top-seeded Rams (20-0-1) will face third-seeded Council Rock South in an all-SHSHL final at this same venue, likely next Monday or Tuesday. Fifth-seeded Avon Grove closed at 14-8-0-1.
As impressive as Pennridge has been this season coach, Jeff Montagna felt his team reached a new level on this night.
“I thought was by far the best game they’ve played all year,” he said. “On the biggest stage. And in the biggest game of their lives up until that moment.”
Andrew Savona the Rams off to a fast start when he beat Justin Mackey in the Red Devils’ net 4:16 into the opening period off a feed from Kevin Pico. Shane Dachowski followed at 8:09 and Pico extended the Rams’ lead just 30 seconds later.
Jack Lowery, who assisted on two of the Rams goals, said the Rams were energized by the fast start. “The past few games we’ve been coming out a little slow,” he said, “and going down early. “We talked in the locker room before this game; the biggest thing is to come out here, score a couple goals fast.
“(Avon Grove is looking up to us. We’re the one seed. We want them chasing us, playing our game and get them off theirs. That’s exactly what we did tonight.”
Savona and Dachowski finished the evening with two goals each. Pico had two assists to go with his goal. A total of six players had multi-point games.
Lowery pointed out that the Rams’ fast-paced style is easier to implement with veteran Ryan Pico in goal.
“We can rely on Ryan every game,” he said. “Every game, no matter what, he’s back there making good saves for us. When you have a goalie like that, you can take some chances.”
Avon Grove’s only goal was a power-play effort off the stick of Brendan Chandler 6:33 into the third period.
The Flyers Cup final and possibly a state championship game are still ahead but Lowery, a senior knows his time with the Rams is drawing to a close. That realization has sharpened his focus.
“These are the last games I’m going to be playing competitively in youth hockey,” he said. “All I want to do is win, that’s all we want to do.”
Avon Grove 0 0 1—1
Pennridge 3 1 1 3—8
First-period goals: Andrew Savona (P) from Kevin Pico, 4:16; Shane Dachowski (P) from Aidan Boyle and Jack Lowery, 8:09; Pico (P) from Tyler Manto, 8:39
Second-period goals: Manto (P) from Dachowski, 11:49 (sh)
Third-period goals: Savona (P) from Pico, 1:32; Brendan Chandler (AG) from Will Gorman, 6:33 (pp); Aeryk Lehrhaupt (P) unassisted, 10:57 (pp); Ryan Schuler (PP) from David, 14:22; Dachowski (P) from Lowery and Schuler,16:24
Shots: Avon Grove 26, Pennridge 39; Saves: Justin Mackley (AG) 31, Ryan Pico (Pr) 25
HATFIELD TOWNSHIP— The evening’s festivities didn’t feature an abundance of artistry. The matchup between St. Joseph’s Prep and La Salle was a gritty, grind-it-out hockey game between two foes intimately familiar with each other.
It was Hawks who emerged from the scrum victorious by a count of 2-0 in a Class AAA semifinal Wednesday night at Hatfield Ice.
Jeffrey Hammond scored both goals to propel the third-seed Hawks (10-8-1) into next week’s final against top-seeded Malvern Prep. The junior spoke to the level of familiarity between the Hawks and the Explorers, who are traditional rivals in every sport.
“All the videos of our games are on You Tube,” he said. “All the players and coaches watched a lot of our games, over and over again and we picked out what we needed to do to come out with a win today.”
Hammond said all the preparation paid off. “We definitely came prepared,” he said. “We knew it was going to be a tough game. Everyone expected it. Everyone played like they had to to get the job done.”
Hammond gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead 4:27 into the first period when he scored off a scramble in front of the La Salle net, beating Explorer netminder Will Braun. The early goal set the tone.
“We knew going into it that they’ve got the speed,” said St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin said of the Explorers. “They are strong, they like to bang the body.
“I told them as long as we keep them on the outside, don’t give up the little gritty goals, take away the behind the net, we would have a chance.
“We were lucky enough to get two good goals early, and they had to play catchup, which is hard to do.”
Hammond scored a statement goal for the Hawks 8:31 into the second session. With his teammate Nick Storti serving a two-minute sentence for a slashing infraction, Hammond found space on right wing and beat Braun with a wrister.
That was it as far as scoring was concerned, although the game’s emotional temperature remained at a fever pitch.
But try as they might the second-seeded Explorers (8-9-1) couldn’t find a way to sustain momentum in their offensive zone or solve Hawks’ goaltender Rocco Bruno who finished with 26 saves.
“We just couldn’t seem to get any bounces or any momentum going,” said La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner. “I think the shorthanded goal we gave up really hurt us.
“I think St. Joseph’s Prep played a great game. They were opportunistic. They played a really good game.”
Emotions boiled over in the late going. With 1:38 left in the third period La Salle’s Chase Hannon was called for elbowing before being accessed three additional penalties, resulting in his banishment.
A series of penalties with 36 seconds left resulted in the teams finishing the game with three skaters each on the ice although La Salle had already pulled Braun to add an extra skater.
St. Joseph’s 1 1 0—2
La Salle 0 0 0—0
First-period goals: Jeffrey Hammond (SJP) fro Joey Samango and Christian Short, 4:27
Hockey Happenings 