Thanksgiving Eve Celebrates High School Hockey

The night before Thanksgiving is a highlight of the high-school hockey season. The schedule features a number of traditional rivalries. Here’s a look at the schedule.

SHSHL

Central Bucks South vs. North Penn 5:00 at Hatfield

Souderton vs. Pennridge 7:00 at Hatfield

Council Rock North vs. Council Rock South 7:00 at RIG

Neshaminy vs. Pennsbury 7:20 at Grundy

Upper Moreland vs. William Tennent/HH 8:45 at RIG

C.B. East vs. C.B. West 9:00 at Hatfield

APAC

Father Judge vs. Holy Ghost Prep (non-league) 8:10 at FSZ

La Salle vs. Malvern Prep 8:30 at Ice Line

ICSHL

Downingtown West vs. Downingtown East 5:10 at Ice Line

Marple Newtown vs Garnet Valley 5:30 at Ice Works

Archbishop Carroll/PJP vs. Great Valley/P-vIlle 6:00 at PNY

Unionville vs. WC Henderson 6:10 at Ice Line

WC Rustin vs WC East 6:50 at Ice Line

Haverford vs. Springfield Delco 7:00 at Skatium

Oxford vs. Sun Valley/Chichester 7:00 at IceWorks

Spring Ford vs. Perk Valley 7:00 at Center Ice

Kingsway Girls vs WC Rustin Girls 7:45 at PNY

Conestoga vs. Radnor 7:50 at Ice Line

D-town Wet Girls vs. Avon Grove Girls 8:30 at Ice Line

Strath Haven vs. Penncrest 8:30 at Ice Works

OJR vs. Boyertown 9:00 at Center Ice

Conestoga Girls vs Radnor Girls 9:30 at Ice Line

Wyoming Seminary 5 La Salle 1

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—For two periods, La Salle and Wyoming Seminary battled each other on even terms. The result was a 1-1 standoff.

In the third frame, Knights broke through, scoring four goals to record a 5-1 win Friday evening at Hatfield Ice.

Alexis Billequey scored two goals and assisted on another as the Knights improved to 4-1 on the season.

The Explorers dropped to 0-2 but Coach Wally Muehlbronner saw his team take some big strides.

“For us, the game was a big step forward,” he said. “Our approach, the way the guys played, we played hard for three periods.”

The Explorers actually took the early lead when Chase Hannon bested Wyoming Seminary goaltender Caleb Chabot with 7:45 left in the opening period.

The second period was almost two thirds gone before BIllequey responded for the Knights and when the teams left the ice at period’s end it was anyone’s game for the taking.

Starting the third period on fresh ice, the Knights stepped up. Mathis Pellerin beat LaSalle netminder Jake Rossi just 1:24 into the period. Colin Donovan made it a 3-1 game at the 4::05 mark and Billequey scored his second goal just 42 seconds later.

Anthony Petrick completed the scoring with 3:04 left in the game.

Rossi, a sophomore, gave a solid effort in the Explorer net.

“He’s only a sophomore but he’s a competitor,” Muehlbronner said. “He’s a good goalie, I was happy with the way he played today.”

Despite the loss, Muehlbronner sees things heading in the right direction.

“We did a couple things that, if we look back at it, and correct them, it could have been a 1-1 game to the end,” he said. “We hurt ourselves a little it in the third.”

Wyoming Seminary 0 1 4—5

La Salle 1 0 0—1

First-period goal: Chase Hannon (L) assist unavailable, 8:15

Second-period goal: Alexis Billequey (WS) from Oliver van der Groen and Jason Shapiro, 10:18

Third-period goals: Mathis Pellerin (WS) from Yoan Gagnon and Billequey, 1:24; Colin Donovan (WS) unassisted, 4:05; Billequey (WS) from Daniel Svozil, 4:47; Anthony Petrick (WS) from Gagnon, 12:56

Shots: Wyoming Seminary 34, La Salle 22; Saves: Caleb Chabot (WS) 21, Jake Rossi (L) 29

St. Joseph’s Prep 3 Holy Ghost Prep 2 OT

BRISTOL—A hockey fan couldn’t have wished for more. Tristan Winata’s goal 60 seconds into three-on-three overtime gave St. Joseph’s Prep a dramatic 3-2 win over Holy Ghost Prep Wednesday afternoon in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game at Grundy Arena.

Winata’s game-winner, his second goal of the afternoon, came when he collected a feed from goaltender Rocco Bruno and put a backhander past Firebird netminder Colin Mudrick just moments after the Firebirds had a chance of their own.

The result squared the Hawks’ record at 1-1 in the APAC and 4-1 overall and came five days after a loss to Malvern Prep in their conference opener.

“It’s amazing to be part of that experience,” Bruno said. “The game was real tight, real close, the adrenaline was pumping, and it’s a great overall feeling to come out with a win.”

Bruno had as much to do with his team’s success as anyone in the building. The Firebirds (1-1 overall and in the the APAC) outshot the Hawks 46-25; Bruno finished his day’s work with 44 saves. He spoke to the importance of staying focused.

“Not letting yourself being distracted,” he said. “I’ve got to make sure I’m paying attention to my D-men and talking to them. I have to keep control of a lot of things at once, but I can’t get distracted by anybody other than who’s on the ice.”

St. Joseph’s Prep assistant coach Van Stefanou said Bruno’s play gave his teammates an energy boost but stressed the senior netminder had plenty of help.

“I think it gives our team a lot of momentum going forward,” he said. “Rocco played out of his mind, but our whole defensive corps, and even the forwards coming back and helping defensively out really turned it around especially from the last game. Our focus this game was to protect the house and our guys did just that.”

The Hawks took a 1-0 lead when Shane O’Neill scored from the high slot just inside the Holy Ghost Prep blue line 11:32 into the first period. Winata made it a 2-0 game during a power play at the 12:12 mark of the second frame.

But the Firebirds didn’t buckle. Kieran Mulholland and Brady Baehser scored goals five minutes apart and with 10:48 left in regulation it was a 2-2 game.

And as time marched on the level of play at both ends of the ice picked up, something even Gump Whiteside, the losing coach, could appreciate.

“That’s a great game,” he said. “Win, lose, or tie, two good teams playing.”

Whiteside was pleased with the way his troops recovered from the two-goal deficit.”

“I really liked the way our guts responded in the third period,” he said. “We did everything we wanted to do. I told the guys after the game, when you get to overtime, anything can happen. We had that opportunity early and it didn’t go our way.”

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 1 0 0 1—3

Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 2 0—2

Frost-period goal: Shane O’Neill (SJP) from Jeffrey Hammond and Tristan Winata, 11:32

Second-period goal: Winata (SJP) from Jake Schulz and Patrick Sweeney, 12:12 (pp)

Third-period goals: KIeran Mulholland (HGP) unassisted, 1:10; Brady Baehser (HGP) unassisted, 6:12

Overtime goal: Winata (SJP) from Rocco Bruno, 1:00

Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 25, Holy Ghost Prep 46; Saves: Rocco Bruno (SJP) 44; Colin Mudrick (HGP) 22

Tristin Winata scores the winning goal

For more information about St. Joseph’s Prep CLICK HERE

For more information about Holy Ghost Prep CLICK HERE

Elsewhere: Hun School 4 Father Judge 0—Four different players scored goals as the Raiders won their season opener from the host Crusaders on Wednesday. Ryan Levesque, Justin Laplante, Charles-Etienne Jette, and Ethan Estulin were the goal scorers.

Stephen Chen (21 saves) and Julian Arsenault (10) combined on the shutout.

Hun School 1 2 1—4

Father Judge 0 0 0—0

First-period goal: Ryan Levesque from Tyler James, Mark Gall, 16:38

Second-period goals: Justin Laplante, 9:33 (SH)

Third-period goal: Elian Estulin from Laplante, Marino

Malvern Prep 4 Bishop O’Connell 1

Malvern Prep defeated Bishop O’ Connell 4-1 ina. non-league game Monday night at Ice Line.

The win improved the Friars to 4-0 on the season. They’ll host La Salle Thursday night.

Malvern Prep 4 St. Joseph’s Prep 1

HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP—Caidan Canale scored two goals and assisted on another as Malvern Prep opened defense of its Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference title with a 4-1 win over St. Joseph’s Prep Friday night at the Skatium.
Brayden Baum and Jeremy Jacobs also scored for the Friars (3-0 overall). Four of the game’s give goals came in the first period.
Ben Kerson have the Hawks (3-1, 0-1 in the APAC) a 1-0 lead 5:02 into the first period but Jeremy Jacobs, Brayden Baum, and Canale scored goals in a span of 9:38 to give the Friars (3-0 overall) a 3-1 lead after the opening period.

Canale added his second goal of the night with 10:15 left in the game.

Brandon Novabilski got the win in goal, making 31 saves.

Malvern Prep 3 0 1—4

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 0 0—1

First-period goals: Ben Kerson (SJP) from Jeffrey Hammond, 5:02; Jeremy Jacobs (MP) from Caidan Canale, 7:04 (pp); Brayden Baum (MP) from Jacobs and Steven Gestie, 8:01; Canale from Gabe Bedwell, 16:42

Third-period goals: Canale from Jacobs, 6:45

Shots: Malvern Prep 39, St. Joseph’s Prep 32 Saves: Brandon Novabiliski (MP) 31, Rocco Bruno (SJP) 35

For more information at about Malvern Prep CLICK HERE

For more information about St. Joseph’s Prep CLICK HERE

Malvern Prep’s Jimmy Jacobs Stepping Up as a Senior

Expectations are running high at Malvern Prep. That’s generally been the case of late. The Friars are two-time defending Class AAA Flyers Cup champions and claimed the APAC title last season after sharing it with La Salle in 2021, and going on to win the state championship that year.

The Friars won their first two starts heading into Friday’s Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference opener against St. Joseph’s Prep

But Jimmy Jacobs knows past performance is no assurance of future success.

“I think our mindset is to look at one or the other and give it our best,” he said. “We’ve really just got to take this season one game at a time.

“It’s a long season and we just focus on one game at a time. I think that’s where we can really be successful as a group and a team.”

A senior forward, and a second-team All-APAC choice last season, Jacobs understands the importance of senior leadership.

“I think last year and the year before, we had two really strong senior groups and leaders overall,” he said. “If we want to do anything similar to that this year, we need some people to step up and become leaders and take a big role.

“I think of a senior as someone others rely on. “(Your teammates) know that you’ve been through it, with it being your fourth year. I think being a senior, you have a big impact on the team, because you’re a leader and all the underclassmen look up to you.”

Malvern Prep’s Jimmy Jacobs (Photo furnished by Jimmy Jacobs)

Jacobs stresses the responsibility veterans have to help the underclassmen feel comfortable and part of the group.

“To me it doesn’t matter what grade you’re in,” he said. “If you’re on a team, we’re a family. So, no one is treated differently if you’re a freshman or if you’re a senior. I think in order to be successful, everyone has to get along and treat each other as they would treat any other teammate.”

Jacobs believes that good team chemistry must be developed and nurtured by the players themselves.

“There’s only so much a coach can do,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re the ones playing for each other, we’re the ones in the locker room we’re the ones that have to get along. The coaches can only do so much.”

APAC Preview

The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is set to launch its fifth season. Here’s a look at how its member schools shape up.

Holy Ghost Prep

Coach: Gump Whiteside (15^th season)

Last year: 12-12, 1-5-1-1 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Colin Mudrick (G); So. Ryan Lippy (D); Sr. Brady Baehser (F); Sr. John Seravalli (F); Sr. Landon Stout (F)

Outlook: The Firebirds started out strong last season but faded after the holiday break. Whiteside is counting on a strong senior class, including Baesher, a two-time first-team All-APAC selection.

Mudrick is experienced in goal.

“We are looking forward to starting the season,” Whiteside said. “The team chemistry is strong. The players have been working hard both on and off the ice. The seniors have really stepped up with a great work ethic.”

The Hun School

Coach: Ian McNally (12^th season)

Last year: 8-9, 3-4-1-0 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Stephen Chen (G); Sr. Vincent Gregoire (D); Sr. Elian Estulin (F); Sr. Mark Gall (F); Sr. Josh Sosner (F); Jr. Brendan Marino (F); Sr. Simon Gregoire (F)

Outlook: The Raiders lost 10 seniors to graduation.

“We have plenty of holes to fill,” McNally said.

But a solid group of returnees remains, led by Chen, who was the first-team All-APAC goaltender last season. Estulin will be counted on to score goals.

La Salle

Coach: Wally Muehlbronner (25^th season)

Last year: 8-10-1, 4-3-0-1 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Aries Carangi (G); Sr. Chase Hannon (D); So. Owen Quinn (D); Jr. Matt Conforti (F); Sr. Ryan Desmond (F); Jr. Pat Brace (F)

Outlook: This season’s edition of the Explorers will be young in spots but there is experience on hand in Carangi in goal, Hannon on the blue line, and Conforti up front, among others.

Muehlbronner is taking a back-to-basics approach.

“In the defensive zone, we just want to keep it simple,” he said. “That’s pretty much always been our approach. In the offensive zone, we’ve got some younger guys that are pretty creative. So, I want them to be creative but still play within our basic system.”

Malvern Prep

Coach: Bill Keenan (fourth season)

Last year: 16-4, 5-1-2-0 in APAC; Conference champions and Class AAA Flyers Cup champions

Key players: Sr. Brandon Novabilski (G); Sr. Steve Getsie (D); Sr. Jack Sharer (D); Jr. Brady Doyle (D); Jr. Jonathan Holt (D); Sr. Jimmy Jacobs (F); Jr. Jeremy Jacobs (F); Jr. Aidan Kelly (F); Jr. Caiden Canale (F)

Outlook: The Friars took their share of graduation hits in the offseason, but their returning veterans are supported by an impressive group of newcomers.

Doyle and Holt head up the blueliners while the Jacobs brothers are being counted on up front.

Keenan is cautiously optimistic.

“We are excited to see what this younger incoming class can do,” he said. “The culture within the program has strengthened over the past two seasons and we look to continue building on the brotherhood in which Malvern creates. Our upperclassmen have to set the tone early in the season but the younger guys have to find ways to contribute.”

St. Joseph’s Prep

Coach: David Giacomin (10^th season)

Last year: 11-8-1, 3-3-0-2 in APAC; Flyers Cup finalist

Key players: Sr. Rocco Bruno (G); Jr. Ajay White (G); Sr. Dante Passio (D); Jr. Shane O’Neill (D); Jr. Gareth McDonald (D); Sr. Jeffrey Hammond (F); Sr. Joey Samango (F); So. Tristan Winata (F); So. Jake Schultz (F)

Outlook: After reaching the Class AAA Flyers Cup finals, the Hawks must deal with loss of 10 seniors. Bruno and White are a formidable goaltending tandem while Passio leads the blue-line corps. Hammond and Samango are proven commodities up front.

“We hope to be a speed driven team that will play hard in all three zones,” Giacomin says. “Depth will play a big role this year. With offensive returnees and goaltending leading the way we hope to get off to a fast start and build from there.”

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Malvern Prep 4 Calvert Hall 1

Jeremy Jacobs scored two goals and Caiden Canale and Gavin Wilson also scored as defending Class AAA Flyers Cup and APAC champion Malvern Prep opened its season Monday with a 4-1 win over Calvert Hall at Ice Line.

The Friars took control of the game in the first period when Wilson, Jacobs, and Canale scored in a span of 7:44.
Brandon Novabilski got the win in goal, making 36 saves.

“Over the last two years we graduated a lot of seniors and needed some young guys to step up,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan. “I was pleased with our energy and tempo we set from the beginning. Our goalie came out strong and played a great game.”

APAC Getting Ready for Year 5

As the start of a new scholastic hockey season approaches, the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is continuing to evolve.

The APAC, which will be starting its fifth season this fall, will once again include five teams. Defending conference and Class AAA Flyers Cup champion Malvern Prep will be joined by Holy Ghost Prep, The Hun School, St. Joseph’s Prep, and La Salle.

In addition, the conference has created partnerships with two other private schools, The Haverford School and Devon Prep which will compete against APAC member schools this season.

“The APAC schools are coordinating as scheduling partners with The Haverford School and Devon Prep, two institutions with developing varsity ice hockey programs,” said APAC Commissioner Jim Britt. Those games will not count as part of the APAC regular-season standings, but the competitions will help develop future opportunities.”

While the complete APAC schedule has yet to be announced, the conference has scheduled two doubleheader events for this season. The first will be sometime in mid-November on a date and at a site to be announced. The second will be an outdoor event on January 11, 2023 at the Spring Mountain outdoor rink in Spring Mount.

National Scholastic Field Set

Defending champion Holy Ghost Prep heads the field for the 16^th annual National Invitational Scholastic Showcase. The annual extravaganza is scheduled for December 2-4 in Jamestown, NY and will feature teams from Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Ontario who will all be on a quest to win the Governor’s Cup.

The field will include:

• Bethel Park Blackhawks WPA – 2021 Pa Hockey Scholastic Showcase Champions

• Buffalo St Francis Red Raiders NY – 2006 NISS Governors Cup Champions

• Cathedral Prep Ramblers WPA – 2019 NISS Governors Cup Champions

• Culver Academy IND – 32-Time Indiana Champions

• Franklin Regional Panthers WPA – 2022 Penguins Cup Finalists

• Holy Ghost Prep Firebirds EPA – 2022 and 5 NISS Governors Cup Champions

• Glenbrook South Titans ILL – 2022 Hoosier Cup Champions

• Meadville Bulldogs WPA – 8 Time Pennsylvania Champions

• Medina Bees OHIO – 3-Time Ohio Club Champions

• North Allegheny Tigers WPA – 3-Time Pennsylvania Cup Champions

• Ontario Hockey Academy – 3-time NISS Governors Cup Champions

• Peters Township Indians WPA – 2022 Pennsylvania Champions

• St Edwards Eagles OHIO – 11-Time Ohio State Champions

• St Ignatius Wildcats OHIO – 7-Time Ohio State Champions

• St Joseph’s Marauders NY – 10- Time New York State Champions

• University School Preppers OHIO – 2-Time Ohio State Champions