Warner Finds a Good Fit at La Salle

By all accounts, Jacob Warner and La Salle College High School have been a good fit.

Warner, senior, is in his first season at the varsity level. He was originally listed on the roster as a defenseman but Coach Wally Muehlbronner moved him up front. Warner has responded with two goals and an assist through the Explorers’ first three APAC games, including the winning goal in his team’s 3-2 win over Malvern Prep on Thanksgiving Eve.

Muehlbronner commends Warner on his work ethic and willingness to learn.

“He’s just been a sponge in practice,” Muelhbronner said. “He wants to learn, wants to do well, and works really, really hard. He’s done a good job and he’s earning his ice time.”

Muehlbronner is quick to point out Warner’s willingness to step in wherever he’s needed.

“He’s had that attitude of ‘Whatever it takes, wherever he’s going to be able to play’” he said. “He wants to be on the team and and play; that’s where he can help us the most.”

A native of suburban Chicago, Warner was first exposed to La Salle when his family moved to the Philadelphia area prior to him starting seventh grade.

“We were looking for schools in the area,” he said. “My mom grew up around here and she went to [Mount St. Joseph] so she knew about La Salle and St. Joe’s.

“So, I came here seventh grade; I toured La Salle and I really liked it. I came back, I toured it again to see what it was like. I had a great time there, a great experience. I really liked the school, I felt it had a lot to offer for me.

“I wanted to play hockey at La Salle because I knew how solid their program was but I think just going in the school building it felt like a really good learning environment for me, for me at least, where I could thrive.”

Jacob Warner (Rick Woelfel photo)

Warner strives to strike the proper balance between academics and hockey but admittedly finds it difficult on game days.

“It’s tough, especially when you’re starting off the season,” he said. “Then when you get to playoffs there’s a different type of buzz around the school for the team.

“But, I think it’s mainly in school, you want to be thinking about that game, you don’t want to completely take your mind off it but it’s easy to let your mind roam. For me at least, I try to stay dialed in; from 8:00-2:40 I’m dialed in on school. if we have a game right after that when that bell rings at 2:40 my mind just shifts and I’m on that game.”

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Flyers Cup Eligible Announced

The Flyers Cup Committee has released a list of 54 teams who are eligible for invitations to the 46^th annual Flyers Cup Tournament.

The 54 teams will skate in four divisions.

The list of eligible teams is as follows.

Girls (7)

Avon Grove

Conestoga

Downingtown West

Pennridge

Radnor

West Chester East

West Chester Henderson

Class A (19)

Council Rock North

Garnet Valley

Harriton

Hatboro-Horsham

Hershey

Kennett

Marple Newtown

Moorestown

Palmyra

Penncrest

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Radnor

Springfield-Delco

Springfield Montco

Strath Haven

Unionville

WC East

WC Henderson

Wisshickon

Class AA (18)

Abington

Avon Grove

Boyertown

Central Bucks East

Central Bucks South

Central Bucks West

Conestoga

Council Rock South

Downingtown East

Downingtown West

Haverford

Kingsway

Lower Merion

North Penn

Pennridge

Pennsbury

Souderton

Spring-Ford

Class AAA (10)

Devon Prep

Father Judge

Haverford School

Holy Ghost Prep

La Salle

Malvern Prep

Owen J. Roberts

Perkiomen Valley

Salesianum

St. Joseph’s Prep

The size of the Flyer Cup field will be at the committee’s discretion. There are no automatic bids.

Hockey Happenings is looking for interested individuals to assist with our coverage of scholastic ice hockey in the Greater Philadelphia area. Interested individuals should have writing experience, be knowledgeable about ice hockey, and be capable of meeting deadlines.

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St. Joseph’s Prep 5 Gonzaga 4

Joseph’s Prep built a 5-0 third-period lead and hung on for a 5-4 non-league win over Gonzaga College High at the Class of 1923 Rink Friday afternoon in the two schools’ traditional post-Thanksgiving matchup.

Frank Ely scored twice for the Hawks, who improved their record to 2-1 overall. Cole Sullivan, Cole Gargon and Tristan Winata scored one goal each. Gargon and Michael Castelli each had two assists.

Quinten O’ Connor scored two goals for Gonzaga, which didn’t get on the scoreboard until 4:21 remained in the third period, Roman Villega and Lucas Abrantes added additional goals.

“We played really well for two-and-a-half periods,” said St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin,” then we stopped skating and they took it to us. It was a good lesson to play until the final buzzer.”

Declan Geary got the win in goal after a 38-save effort; the Hawks were outshot 42-21.

Gonzaga 0 0 4—4

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 3 1—5

First-period goals: Cole Sullivan (SJP) from Patrick Sweeney, 2:18 (pp)

Second-period-goals: Cole Gargon (SJP) from Michael Castelli and Caden Kelly, 4:41; Frank Ely (SJP) from Gargon, 7:08; Tristan Winata (SJP) from Michael Washlick and Jai Perry- Pereira, 9:03 (pp)

Third-period goals: Ely (SJP) from Waslick and Gargon, 9:51; Quinten O’Connor (G) from Brendan Rossello and Edwin Siembeida, 12:39; Roman Villega (G) from Lucas Abrantes and Jack Gardner, 14:48; O’Connor (G) from Villega and Matt Shay, 16:54; Abrantes (G) unassisted, 16:59

Shots: Gonzaga 42, St. Joseph’s Prep 21; Saves: Parker Amico (G) 8 and Claude Engle Kes G 8; Declan Geary (SJP) 38

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La Salle 3 Malvern Prep 2

Jacob Warner’s goal with 8:28 left in regulation proved decisive as La Salle topped Malvern Prep 3-2 Wednesday night in an APAC game at Ice Line.

Grant LaGreca and Nole Donohue also scored goals for the Explorers who improved to 2-1 in conference play and 3-1 overall.

LaGreca’s goal gave La Salle a 1-0 lead with eight seconds remaining in the opening period. Henry Tesoriero tied the game for the Friars (2-2, 1-1 in conference) with 3:40 remaining in the middle period.

Donohue’s goal came with 13:20 left in regulation time off a feed from Declan Kelly and gave the Explorers the lead for good. Warner’s goal extended his team’s lead but Teague Murray scored a power play goal with 6:04 remaining while Alistair St. Hilaire was in the box serving a roughing minor.

From that point on, La Salle goaltender Jake Rossi was resolute in goal despite being under pressure; he made 19 saves in the third period.

La Salle 1 0 2—3

Malvern Prep 0 1 1—2

First-period goal: Grant LaGreca (L) unassisted, 16:52

Second-period goal: Henry Tesoriero (MP) from Gabe Bedwell and Logan Love, 13:20

Third-period goals: Nole Donohue (L) from Declan Kelly, 3:49; Jacob Warner (L) from Michael Zarzycki, 8:32; Teague Murray (MP) from Cole Scrabinsky, 10:56 (pp)

Shots: La Salle 31, Malvern Prep 40; Saves: Jake Rossi (L) 38, Matt Crawford (MP) 28

Holy Ghost Prep 5 Council Rock South 1

Holy Ghost Prep overcame an early 1-0 deficit and rolled to a 5-1 non-league win over Council Rock South Monday night at Revolution Ice Gardens.

Brady Logue scored twice for the Firebirds (3-1 overall). Logan Barnes, Chris Marshall, and Anthony Valeriote also scored goals.

Daniel Filippov scored for the Golden Hawks, who lost for the first time in six starts.

Holy Ghost Prep 0 4 1—5

C.R. South 1 0 0—1

Devon Prep 4 Hun School 3

The Raiders dropped a one-goal decision to the visiting Tide on Thursday in their season opener at Ice Land. Anders Van Raalte, Lucas Jean, and Justin Bibeau scored the Hun School goals.

“Overall I’m happy with our first game as a group,” said Hun School coach Eric Szeker. “We got better as the game went along and ran into a very hot goaltender.”

Malvern Prep 4 Holy Ghost Prep 2

BRISTOL—There wasn’t a lot of slash and sizzle to what Malvern Prep was doing on Tuesday afternoon. But hockey games are not decided on style points.

Two third-period power-play goals in a span of 71 seconds allowed the Friars to overcome a 1-0 deficit and they went on from there to defeat Holy Ghost Prep 4-2 in an APAC game at Grundy Arena.

Teague Murray scored two goals and assisted on a third as Malvern Prep (2-1 overall) opened conference play with a win.

The host Firebirds (2-1, 1-1 in the APAC) took a 1-0 lead on Logan Barnes’ goal 1:37 into the second period on a play that started off a scramble for a loose puck the neutral one. Murray set up House Young for the game-tying goal which came with 3:58 remaining in the period and erased the deficit.

“I think that’s kind of our identity this year,” Murray said. “We went down, we’ve been down early in every game we’ve played but we keep battling. That’s just kind of our identity.”

The Firebirds were undone by self-inflicted wounds. With 33 seconds left in the second frame Brady Logue was flagged for interference, giving Malvern Prep a split power play.

Murray gave his team the lead 52 seconds into the third period when he topped home Matt Barbacane’s shot from the left point.

Just 19 seconds later Malvern Prep was awarded another power play when Holy Ghost Prep’s Anthony Valeriote was whistled for interference. Pax Hoishik delivered a power play goal just 52 seconds after that to give the Friars a two-goal lead.

Brian Kinniry gave the Firebirds a last-gasp opportunity when he beat Matt Crawford in the Malvern Prep net with 53 seconds to go but it took just 15 additional seconds for Murray to respond.

Afterward, he spoke of the importance of shepherding his younger teammates through the rigors what for some was their first APAC game.

“It’s super important,” the senior said. “They’ve got to know there’s not going to be any flashy goals when you’re playing good teams like Ghost and La Salle. You’ve got to get gritty goals.

Murray notes that Malvern Prep’s power play has improved since the season kicked off.

“The first two games were a little rusty,” he said, “but now we’re starting to pick it up and we were really clicking this game.”

Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan cited his team’s blur-collar approach.

“We had a lot of grit that game,” he said. “The first period was completely back and forth, up and down the ice, got some shots on net, got some power plays late in the second and early in the third and we capitalized on them.

“Right now, we’re feeling good with where we’re at.”

• Crawford finished with 22 saves. Matt Salita made 17 saves for Holy Ghost. Salita is the third goaltender the Firebirds have started in three game. each has played one full game.

Malvern Prep 0 1 3—4

Holy Ghost Prep 0 1 1—2

Second-period goals: Logan Barnes (HGP) from Colin Bara, 1:37; House Young (MP) from Teague Murray, 13:02

Third-period goals: Murray (MP) from Matt Barbacane and Cole Scarbinsky, :52 (pp); Pax Hoishik (MP) unassisted, 2:03 (pp); Brian Kinniry (HGP)) from Bara, 16:07; Murray (MP) unassisted, 16:32

Shots: Malvern Prep 21, Holy Ghost Prep 23; saves: Matt Crawford (MP) 22, Matt Salita (HGP) 17

St. Joseph’s Prep 4 Haverford School 1

St. Joseph’s Prep overcame an early 1-0 deficit and went on to defeat The Haverford School 4-1 on Wednesday afternoon at the Class of 1923 Rink in a non-league game.

Henry Cagliuso gave the Fords the lead with 4:57 left in the first period bur Caden Kelly tied the game for the Hawks with one minute left in the second session. Jai Perry-Pereira put his team in front with 7:43 left in the game before Frank Ely and Tristan Winata added goals in the final minute.

The Hawks (1-1) outshot the Fords 47-12 but Ike Matoney kept Haverford in the game with his work in goal.

“We played pretty well,” said Hawks coach David Giacomin. “We dad great puck movement and pressure. Haverford packed it in defensively and their goalie was awesome.”

Wyoming Sem. 5 Malvern Prep 3

Malvern Prep dropped a 5-3 decision to host Wyoming Seminary on Monday in a non-league game. Andrew Starck scored twice for the Friars (1-1).

Freshman Luke Johnson also scored.

Holy Ghost Prep 3 La Salle 1

BRISTOL—Holy Ghost Prep made a statement Monday afternoon, one that will reverberate through the area. Anthony Valeriote scored two goals and Jack Botthof was stellar in goal as the Firebirds prevailed over defending Founders Cup and Flyers Cup champion La Salle 3-1 at Grundy Arena.

The win marked a successful start for Holy Ghost Prep (2-0 overall) in APAC play.

It was the first setback for the Explorers in APAC play sincere the 2022-23 season and the reason was Botthof. The Explorers (2-1, 1-1 in conference) fired 37 shots at him, the junior stopped all but one of them. His best work came in the middle period when the Explorers outshot the Firebirds 19-6.

“We left him out to dry in that second,” Valeriote said. “You can’t anything more from him there. He kept us in that game. Without him, it’s a completely different game.”

The Firebirds jumped in front 3:36 into the first period after a pair of penalties gave the hosts a five-on-three power and Valeriote capitalized.

La Salle had the better of the play middle period but Botthof kept the Explorers at bat with one quality save after another.

“When I’m in that state, nothing else matters besides the game at that point,” he said. “

One of Botthof’s best saves came when he denied Grant LaGreca from close range with three-and-a-half minutes left in the period.

“After those big saves, I feel the energy on the bench and in me both rise up,” he said, “so we hopefully get back in the swing of things.”

Anthony Valeriote celebrates after finding the net against La Salle on Monday. He scored two goals in Holy Ghost Prep’s 3-1 win (Robert Barnes photo)

With 2:21 left the second frame La Salle appeared to have tied the game on a rebound off a goal-mouth scrum but the goal was waved off due to a and pass, a decision with which La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner vociferously disagreed.

The call seemed to take some energy out of the Explorers; Valeriote extended Holy Ghost Prep’s lead by converting a rebound of Brady Logue’s original shot. Logue himself made it a 3-0 game with 9:25 left in regulation after weaving his way through traffic in the offensive zone.

LaGreca ended Botthof’s bid for a shutout with 4:33 remaining in regulation.

“I thought we played a tremendous second period,” Muehlbronner said. We let up the first goal on a five-on-three and got back to work after that. I think we played a really good game after that.

“Our second period was tremendous; we had a lot of great opportunities. We scored a goal, they took it back. I don’t know what the referee saw there, but that’s the way it goes.”

Valeriote saw Wednesday’s result as a springboard for the balance of the APAC season.

“[It was important] to come in here in our home barn and send a message,” he said. “Show the rest of the league who we are and give ourselves an identity.”

La Salle 0 0 1—1

Holy Ghost Prep 1 0 2—3

First-period goal: Anthony Valeriote (HGP) from Chase Logue and Brady Logue, 3:36 (pp)

Third-period goals: Anthony Valeriote (HGP) from Brady Logue and Chase Logue, :22; Brady Logue (HGP) from Valeriote and Jack Gavaghan, 7:35; Grant LaGreca (L) from Declan Kelly, 12:27

Shot: La Salle 37, Holy Ghost Prep 28; Saves: Jake Rossi (L) 25, Jack Botthof 36