Longtime rivals collide Wednesday night in a Flyers Cup finals doubleheader at Hatfield Ice. Here’s a look at the matchups.
Class AAA Final—6:00
1 Holy Ghost Prep (20-4-1)
Coach: John Ritchie
Players to watch: Brady Logue 25 goals, 18 assists, 43 points inc. 6 goals and 2 assists for 8 points in the tournament; Joe Spadaccino 10-17-27, 0-3-3 in the tournament; Brian Kinniry 18-6-24, 1-1-2 in the tournament; Jack Unger 1.74 GAA, .922 save percentage
How they got here: Defeated Owen J. Roberts 10-0 in the quarterfinals and Salesianum 5-2 in the semifinals.
2 LaSalle (17-7)
Coach: Wally Muehlbronner
Players to watch: Nole Donohue 14 goals, 19 assists, 33 points including 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points in the tournament; Grant LaGreca 20-5-25, 3-0-3 in the tournament; Julian Tarsi 10-14-24, 0-4-4 in the tournament; Jake Rossi 1.90 GAA, .926 save percentage
How they got here: Defeated Devon Prep 7-0 in the quarterfinals and Father Judge 7-2 in the semifinals.
Ice chips: This game marks the fourth meeting of the season between the two teams. The Firebirds won the previous three, including the Founders Cup championship game for the APAC title 6-4 on February 26th.
The Explorers will be trying to win their third consecutive Class AAA Flyers Cup and their 13th overall (they’ve also won it once in Class AA). Their 13 overall titles is a record in any classification. Holy Ghost Prep has won four Flyer Cup titles, three times in Class AAA, once in Class AA.
Class AA Final—8:45
1 Council Rock South (22-2)
Coach: Joe Houk
Players to watch: Jake Weiner 43 goals, 21 assists, 60 points, including 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points in the tournament; Jeremy Rayher 33-31-64, 4-2-6 in the tournament; Jordan Sarne 18-27-45, 1-3-4 in the tournament; Trey Prozzillo 2.56 GAA; .884 save percentage
How they got here: Defeated Owen J. Roberts 10-0 in the quarterfinals and Spring-Ford 7-2 in the semifinals
2 North Penn (19-3)
Coach: Kevin Vaitis
Players to watch: Cole Pluck 24 goals, 33 assists, 57 points; 3 goals in the tournament; Samuel Norton 28-28-53.0-3-3 in the tournament Nolan Shingle 23-18-41, 4-2 in the tournament; Aidan Quigley 1.91 GAA .923 save percentage; Andrew Norton 2.14 GAA .909 save percentage
Ice chips: The teams split two regular-season meetings. The Golden Hawks won the first 6-3 on November 20th, the Knights took the rematch 5-3 on February 5th.
South is seeking its fourth Flyers Cup title and its first since 2012. North Penn is seeking its first Cup.
La Salle’s success this season has been based on the concept of getting contributions from a variety of sources.
Such was the case Thursday night. Grant LaGreca and Noel Donohue each scored two goals and three other players scored on goal each as the Explorers downed Father Judge 7-2 in a Class AAA Flyers Cup semifinal at Hatfield Ice Arena.
Second-seeded La Salle (17-7) will face Holy Ghost Prep next Wednesday at this same venue in a bid to win its third consecutive Flyers Cup, a feat the Explorers last accomplished in 2014 when they claimed the Cup for a fourth consecutive year. Sixth-seeded Father Judge closed the season at 16-6.
The game was closer than the final score seemingly indicted. Judge trailed 2-1 after one period was close enough to be a threat, trailing 4-2 early in the third before the Explorers put the game away.
Michael Zarzycki got thing started for La Salle when he beat Crusader goaltender Christian McDonald 3:32 into the first period. But Chris Ferrero responded for Judge with a power-play goal at the 8:49 before Donohue’s effort with 1:14 remaining put La Salle in front for good.
The Explorers extended their lead in the second period on goal from Declan Kelly and Alex Gibson.
Jake Pound made thing more interesting when he scored for Judge just 14 seconds into the final period but LaGreca answered at the 2:21 mark.
Donohue and LaGreca once more added additional goals.
“We started slow,” LaGreca said, “but we stuck to our system, listened to what our coaches had for the game plan, but we played the right way in the end.”
LaGreca said the Explorers stayed patient when it counted.
“We know we can’t look past anyone.” he said. “We’ve got to stay patient and keep shooting pucks on net.”
The final numbers on the scoreboard were misleading. True enough, Holy Ghost Prep prevailed over Salesianum 5-2 Thursday night in a Class AAA Flyers Cup semifinal at Hatfield Ice Arena.
The top-seeded Firebirds (20-4-1) earned a place in next Wednesday’s final (6:00 puck drop at Hatfield Ice) against La Salle.
Thursday’s matchup was the second meeting of the season between the two schools. The Firebirds won the first 5-1 on January 9th.
But on this night, for two periods, the fifth-seeded Sallies gave Holy Ghost Prep all it could handle and going into the third frame the teams were deadlocked at 2-2. The Firebirds put the way by scoring three goals in the third period.
Brady Logue, who paced the Firebirds with a three-goal effort, started the scoring 7:27 into the first period. It was the only goal of the opening frame.
Salesianum (18-4) tied the game on a goal from Jerry DiStefano 8:34 into the middle period Logue answered with his second goal of the game with 4:19 left in the period but when Sean Albert found the back of the net 80 seconds later, the two team were deadlocked once more.
“They did a good job of taking us out of our game,” said Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie. “So, we made some adjustments. I think we got back to what’s worked for us in the third period.”
Once the final period commenced, the Firebirds did their best to make up for lost time. Chase Logue extended his team’ lead 5:17 into the period. Lucas Gonzalez made it a 4-1 at the 7:05 mark before Brady Logue completed his hat trick with 53 seconds remaining.
“Once {Salesianum} scored {their first goal} the momentum kind of changed” said Holy Ghost Prep captain Ryan Lippy. “The kind of stopped our momentum.
“And then we kind of realized that we needed to pick it up but we didn’t start picking it up until the third.”
Holy Ghost Prep enjoyed a 34-20 edge in shots.
Lippy said he and his teammates entered the third period refocused.
“We decided to put the emotion aside,” he said. “And just play our game, play how we should play.”
Salesianum coach Brian LeBlanc celebrated what his team accomplished this season.
“The team executed on every aspect of our game,” he said. “It was a special group of players who played for each other; our family. I’m very proud of what they accomplished this year. Unfortunately injuries during the last two weeks took down some firepower.
“Thank you to the Flyers Cup committee who worked hard to organize a great tournament for these young men.”
• Holy Ghost Prep last won a Flyers Cup in 2017. Salesianum won three Cups in the now-defunct New Jersey/Delaware Division, most recently in 2023, the last year that division existed.
Second-period goals: Jerry DiStefano (S) unassisted, 8:34; Brady Logue (HGP) from Joe Spadaccino and Santino Tibero, 12:41; Sean Albert (S) from MIchael Cellucci and Braeden Graham, 14:01
Third-period goals: Chase Logue (HGP) from William Harmr, 5:17; Lucas Gonzalez (HGP) from Colin Bara and Brian Kinniry, 7:05; Brady Logue (HGP) unassisted, 16:07
Shots: Salesianum 20, Holy Ghost Prep 34: Saves: Gavin Needs (S) 29, Jack Unger (HGP) 18
For two seasons now, Jake Rossi has been a fixture in the La Salle net. Last season, he was named the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference’s first-team All-Conference goaltender and helped the Explorers win their second consecutive Class AAA Flyers Cup. As a sophomore, he was part of a team that won a state championship.
But sometime in the next two weeks, Rossi’s high-school career will come to an end. That moment could come in Thursday’s Flyers Cup semifinal against Father Judge, perhaps in next week’ final, or the state-championship game on March 22.
The passage of time however, makes the conclusion of Rossi’s journey inevitable.
“It’s definitely been a fun journey,” he said. “I had a lot of ups. Obviously, some downs, that’s what comes with the sport and just kind of looking back on it, I don’t think I’d have it any other way.”
The numbers Rossi has complied this season have been impressive; a 1.98 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.
“Jake is the quiet, steady backbone of our team,” said La Salle head coach Wally Muehlbronner. He has been the startong goalie in 99 percent of our games the past to years and always gives us a chance to win.”
But Rossi is the first to admit he’s just one element in in this season’s success. With the Explorers perhaps lacking some of the offensive firepower they’ve had in recent seasons, getting contributions from all hands has been essential.
Jake Rossi
“I think this year it’s been definitely different from years in the past,” Rossi said. “I think, especially last year, our depth with the seniors was incredibly strong. Especially early {this season, you saw some of the dropoff.
“But I think some of the younger guys, the freshmen, the sophomores, and even some of the seniors who are on the varsity for their first year, they really stepped up and helped to fill that role. And I feel like some of the guys definitely embraced their roles even if they’re not playing top-line minutes.
“Especially me, I noticed an impact where it’s just wearing guys down on the forecheck. I’m really appreciative of that.”
Rossi says the contributions of the younger players on the roster helps keep the veterans focused.
“We know our spots are not guaranteed,” he said. “You might be playing on the first line or the first D-pair but that could change game to game, especially if you’re not playing well.
“That pressure from the younger guys, for the older guys, it gives us motivation and kind of pushes us to be our best which I think this year we really have compared to years past.”
Rossi says he and his teammates are a closely knit group, linked by their shared experiences.
“I think for us hockey guys, especially for us seniors it’s kind of knowing all we’ve been through. We’ve battled together, most of us, all together, for four years.
“So, we know each other’s aspirations and we know we need to give it our all for each other. Especially this year, with us being seniors. At the end of the day our goal is to win a state championship. That’s what we push ourselves to hopefully achieve.”
Rossi started skating at age 4 and was playing hockey at age 6. By the time he turned 8, he was a goaltender. For the past six years, he works with goaltending coach Chris Economou.
“My first year or two I wasn’t {a goaltender} Rossi recalls, “but I think eventually our team needed a goalie and I don’t know why but I said ‘I’ll do it.’ and started learning how to play. I’ve loved it ever since.
“I think for me it was kind of knowing that I was the last guy. If everyone else got beat, I was the only one left from keeping the puck out of the net. I didn’t think about it when I was young, but looking at it now I embraced the challenge of that and it think it made me work harder.”
Rossi is considering the next steps in his hockey career. He’s exploring playing junior hockey next season and want to play in college.
Wherever his future takes him however, he will take his memories of La Salle with him.
“Just being in the room with the boys,” he said. “Like some of our practices, even the ones where we {skated hard}, there was kind of a sense of ‘It’s going to make us better and prepare us for the more important stuff coming down the road.’
And I think classes, nor even just about the hockey team. The camaraderie, showing appreciation when the sports teams did well Our swimming team won a state championship my freshman year and the all the guys in class congratulated them.”
“Jake is a model student-athlete at La Salle,” Muelronner said, “well respected by his peers, teachers, and administrators.”
Rossi reflected on how his experience at La Salle has impacted him, as a student approaching adulthood, and as an athlete.
“I think it’s helped me tremendously,” he said. “The social aspect has been everything I could have asked for. I’ve made so many lifelong friends, not just through hockey but through classes and other stuff like that. And I think it’s just kind of instilled a good work ethic in me, in the classroom and life in general. I think that’s something that I’ll always keep from La Salle.”
Salesianum had a bit too much for Malvern Prep Thursday night. Too much in terms of physicality and firepower. Liam Bell scored two goals set the pace as the Sallies downed the Friars 4-2 Thursday night in a Class AAA Flyers Cup quarterfinal at Ice Line.
Fifth-seeded Salesianum (18-3) will move to the semifinals next Thursday against top-seeded Holy Ghost Prep. Fourth-seeded Malvern Prep closes the season at 5-11.
Salesianum coach Brian LeBlanc said his team took care of the small details.
“Our game is forecheck hard and backcheck hard,” he said. “Every shift we have 110 percent in that 45-second shift and every person on all three lines did that. That’s what gets you success.”
Senior Braeden Graham, the Sallies’ captain, said he and his teammates were comfortable with the game’s physics tone.
“We knew they were going to come out hitting,” he said. “We knew they were a team that hit. we knew from watching film on them that we had to match that so playing the body tonight was really important to us to keep their skill payers contained.”
Bell have his team a 1-0 lead 10:33 into the first period off a setup from Jerry DiStefano who played the puck across the goal mouth from the right wing. Bell was perfectly positioned to tuck the disk inside the left post.
The Friars suffered a huge loss with 10:54 left in the second period when they lost senior forward Teague Murray, one of their primary offensive threats. Murray checked the Sallies’ Connor Davis into the boards near the Salesianum bench and was assessed a five-minute major penalty for a check from behind plus a game misconduct.
“You don’t want to see a kid get kicked out of the game,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan. “I think the call was a little borderline but you can’t control the {referees}.
“Obviously, we needed somebody to put the puck in the net for us and that was a back breaker but you have got to find a way to step up and fill the void.”
Sean Melican extended Salesianum’s lead with 49 seconds left in the second period when he found his target from between the faceoff circles. Bell scored his second goal of the night 2:49 into the third period. From that moment on Malvern Prep was playing against the clock as much as the Sallies.
James Young got the Friars on the scoreboard 7:31 into the final session with a shot from just inside the blue line during a power play.
Salesianum’s Sean Albert and Malvern Prep’s Luke Johnson traded goals down the stretch.
Keenan credited the Sallies for their effort
“They’re a really good team,” he said. “They’re well coached. I’ve known {LeBlanc} for a few seasons now. They play fast, they play physical. Our boys I think matched the intensity, we just couldn’t find the back of the net.”
Graham says he and his Salesianum teammates aren’t finished yet. “We’re very proud of ourselves,” he said, “but we know this isn’t the end.
“A lot of the teams in the APAC have disrespected us. They don’t think we’re on the same level as they are because we play in a different league (the Prep/Catholic Division of the ICSHL).”
Ice chips—Salesianum won three Flyers Cup titles in the now-defunct New Jersey/Delaware Division, including the last one two years ago.
Salesianum 1 1 2—4
Malvern Prep 0 0 2—2
First-period goal: Liam Bell (MP) from Jerry DiStefano and Connor Davis, 10:33
Second period goal: Sean Melican (S) from Davis and Justin Celestino, 16:11
Third-period goals: Bell (S) unassisted, 2:49; James Young (MP) unassisted, 7:31 (pp); Sean Albert (S) from Braedon Graham, 9:53; Luke Johnson (MP) from Gabe Bedwell and Matt Barbacane, 13:56 (pp)
Shots: Salesianum 33, Malvern Prep 23; Saves: Gavin Needs. (S) 21; Matt Crawford (MP) 29
Father Judge took control of the game with a four-goal outburst in the second period and stunned St. Joseph’s Prep 6-2 Thursday night in a Class AAA Flyers Cup quarterfinal at the Skatium.
Carlos Rowland and Owen Myers each scored twice for the sixth-seeded Crusaders (16-5), who will face La Salle next Thursday in the semifinals while the third-seeded Hawks closed their season at 10-10.
Rowland scored the first goal of the night 7:19 into the opening period. When he scored a second time, 50 seconds into the second frame, the burst. Gavin Culver, Myers, and Joseph Mullen followed with goals in a span of 3 minutes, 6 seconds and 11:16 still to go in the second period Father Judge had a 5-0 lead.
“We weren’t prepared,” said St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin. “The boys thought they would walk all over Father Judge.”
Jai Perry-Pereira got the Hawks on the scoreboard with 2:18 left in the second session but St. Joseph’s Prep never got any closer.
Myers scored his second goal of the night with 7:09 left in regulation. Michael Washlick added the Hawks’ second goal with 4:49 remaining.
“Judge’s goalie (Christian McDonald) played great,” Giacomin said. He made four unbelievable saves.
“In one-and-done scenarios you have to show up. Father Judge did and that’s why they are moving on. Our goalie played well despite the score as he got no help in the second period.”
Father Judge 1 4 1—6
St. Joseph’s Prep 0 1 1—2
First-period goal: Carlos Rowland (FJ) from Gavin Culver, 7:19
Second-period goals: Rowland (FJ) from Jake Proud and Owen Myers, :50; Culver (FJ) from Charles Heron, 2:38; Myers (FJ) from Rowland, 4:54 (sh); Joseph Mullen (FJ) unassisted, 5:44; Jai Perry-Pereira (SJP) from Adam Charaffi, 14:42
Third-period goals: Myers (FJ) unassisted, 9:51; Michael Washlick (SJP) from Patrick Sweeney and Perry-Pereira, 12:11
Shots: Father Judge 44, St. Joseph’s Prep 35 Saves: Christian McDonald (FJ) 33, Declan Geary (SJP) 38
There are 10 Flyers Cup games on the schedule for Thursday night. By the time finishes Thursday night, 25 of the 41 teams that started the week will have been eliminated.
The atmosphere of the Flyers Cup tournament is unique. A period of adjustment is often necessary. Therefore, it was not surprising that it took La Salle some time to get started against Devon Prep Tuesday night.
But, the Explorers eventually got rolling and the two-time defending Class AAA Flyers Cup champions rolled on to a 7-0 win over the Tide at Hatfield Ice Arena. The top-seeded Explorers (16-7) will move on to next Thursday’s semifinals against St. Joseph’s Prep or Father Judge. Devon Prep, the seventh seed, finished its third varsity season at 14-7.
While La Salle dominated on the scoreboard, it took some time for the Explorers’ offense to settle in. Cam Ross scored the only goal of the first period with just 56.4 seconds remaining.
Danny Burke extended the La Salle lead two minutes into the second frame.
“It was the first Flyers Cup game for easily half our team,” said La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner in explaining his team’s start. “There were a lot of jitters I think they had to get out.
“We played a pretty good game. Their goaltender (Grant Gales) was strong early on.
Nole Donohue extended the Explorer lead to 3-0 when he scored with exactly one minute left in the second period before Alistair St. Hilaire, Will Gregorio, Donohue, and Grant LaGreca found the back of the net in the third.
Donohue said the Explorers; experience and cohesion is showing when it matters most. “We have a good bond,” he said. “We all work good together.
“We work hard as a team and pick each other up. That’s what gets us all going.”
One individual seemingly unfazed by the environment was La Salle goaltender Jake Rossi who pitched a shutout, making 14 saves along the way. He spoke to what the Flyers Cup experience is like for his less-experienced teammates.
“I think for them it’s realizing the intensity and importance of it,” he said. “It was a little bit of a slow start today but around the second period and into the third we really put our foot down.”
Devon Prep coach Matt Fabrizio was disappointed with the result but not with his team’s effort.
“The way my guys came out and battled, the fight was pretty even up through the last minute or so of the second period when it was 2-0,” he said. “We were happy with the opportunity to play La Salle. We regard La Salle and Holy Ghost, and all those teams as the cream of the crop, so any chance we get to play those guys is a huge opportunity.”
Devon Prep 0 0 0—0
La Salle 1 2 4—7
First-period goal: Cam Ross (L) from Alistair St. Hilaire, 16:04
Second-period goals: Danny Burke (L) from St. HiIaire and Liam Greenwalt, 2:00; Nole Donohue (L) from Tristan Mitchell 16:00
Third-period goals: St. Hilaire (L) from Donohue, 6:02; Will Gregorio (L) from St. Hilaire and Julian Tarsi, 8:03; Donohue (L) from Tarsi, 11:13; Grant LaGreca (L) from Declan Kelly and Michael Zarzycki, 15:11
Shots: Devon Prep 17, La Salle 57; Saves: Grant Gales (DP) 50; Jake Rossi (L) 17
Joe Kaufmann’s goal with 12:32 left in the third period snapped a 3-3 tie and Holy Ghost Prep went on to a 6-4 win over La Salle in the APAC Founders Cup championship game at Grundy Arena.
It was the first triumph for top-seeded Holy Ghost Prep (18-4-1) in an APAC final in three tries.
The win marked the Firebirds’ third over second-seeded La Salle (15-7) this season but it did not come easily. Brady Logue, Colin Bara, and Brian Kinniry scored goals in a span of 7 minutes, 21 seconds in the first period to give the hosts a 3-0 advantage.
“That was our game plan going in,” Kinniry said. “Get on them early.”
But, just before the midway point of the second period, the Explorers woke up. Michael Esmond made a run up the middle of the ice and finished the play himself 2:19 into the period. Nole Donohue made it a 3-2 game at the 8:53 mark and Cam Ross tied the game 2:09 into the third period when he put in a rebound.
Kauffman said he and his teammates knew they had a fight on their hands as La Salle made its surge.
“We weren’t sure what was really going to happen,” he said. “We just knew when we got back on the ice in the third that we had to give it our all. Either put something in the net, or stop them from scoring.”
And Kaufmann did just that with a shot from the right wing. Logue extended his team’s lead with 9:43 left in the regulation and Kinniry scored his second goal of the game with 1:36 left.
Kinniry said he and his teammates stayed focused on their mission.
“It really gave us motivation to get through the third period,” he said. “Our second period was pretty bad so we came back out and got the go-ahead goals.”
La Salle coach Wally Muehlbonner said his team struggled from the start.
“I don’t think we played a good game at all,” he said. “We played the way we needed to in the second period, that was our best period obviously. But it’s tough to come back from down three.”
Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie credited his players for a season’s worth of effort.
“This isn’t about the adults,” he said. “This is about the kids. They’re so deserving.
“It’s a long year, it’s tough to stay on top in a league like this. I can’t say enough positive things about the group that’s in there.
“Everybody bought in, everybody did their jobs and even when it got close and don’t think there was any doubt we would figure a way to beat them.”
The Firebirds and Explorers will open Class AAA Flyers Cup play on Tuesday. Top-seeded Holy Ghost Prep will face eighth-seeded Owen J. Roberts (6:15) while second-seeded La Salle will go against number-seven Devon Prep. Both games will be played at Hatfield Ice.
La Salle 0 2 2
Holy Ghost Prep 3 0 3
First-period goals; Brady Logue (HGP) from Jack Gavaghan and Ryan Lippy, 5:10; Colin Bara (HGP) from Lucas Gonzalez and Brian Kinniry, 9:15; Kinniry (HGP) from Chase Logue, 12:31 (sh)
Second-period goals: Michael Esmond (L) from John Greenawalt, 7:19; Nole Donohue (L) from Jake Warner, 8:53;
Third-period goal: Cam Ross (L) from Alistair St. Hilaire, 2:09; Joe Kaufmann (HGP) from. Anthony Valeriote, 4:28; Brady Logue (HGP) from Chase Logue, 7:17; Kinniry HGP unassisted, 15:24; Ross (L) from St. Hilaire and Declan Kelly, 16:36 (pp)
Hockey Happenings 