Your Source for High School Hockey
Anders Van Raalte scored three goals and assisted on four other as the Hun School bested Pingry 12-2 Monday afternoon at Ice Land.
It was the first start for the Raiders (1-1) under interim head coach Nathaniel Welsh.
Andrew Darst, Luca Jean, and Zachary Valle added two goals each.
PIngry School 0 2 0—2
Hun School 4 5 3—12
The impact Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan has on his players goes beyond the rink. The respect the Friars have for their coach was on display last Wednesday night when Malvern Prep staged its fourth annual RTS Awareness Night; the proceeds of the game between the Friars and Holy Ghost Prep were earmarked for research into Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome is a genetic disorder that cause intellectual and developmental disabilities. Connor Keenan, Bill Keenan’s soon-to-be-6-year old son, is afflicted with RTS.
Pax Hoishik, a senior on the Malvern Prep roster, says the occasion means a lot to the players.
“I’ve participated in the event for three years,” he said. “And every single year it gets more close knit with the guys and even closer with Coach Keenan. Having that bond with Coach Keenan and his family as a whole and being able to celebrate the night for him and his kid is pretty unbelievable.”
Hoishik has been a full-time varsity player for three seasons now; he was a swing player as a freshman. He notes the evening is not just another hockey game.
“We’re playing for {Keenan},” Hoishik said. We’re playing for {Connor}. We’re playing for his family and we get to do that as a team. That’s why it’s so special.”
Hoishik and his teammates respect how Keenan is able to balance a full-time job with seeing to his family’s needs while still devoting the necessary time to coaching the Friars.
“It’s extremely impressive to me,” Hoishik said. “Some of the other captains and I were talking about it how incredible it is he is able to make time for something like that with everything going on in his life. We just thought it’s pretty incredible that he is able to make that time for us.”
Bill and Sarah Keenan have been married for 13 years. Connor is the youngest of their three children.
Sarah Keenan lauds her husband for how he deals with his assortment of responsibilities including periodically traveling to Baltimore to see a specialist who works with RTS patients.
“He is a really strong guy to deal with everything that comes at him and the stuff we have to deal with with Conner,” she said. “I obviously take on a lot while he’s coaching but he’s taking on as much as he possible can whenever he’s home.
“I’m really proud of him. He has taken everything on his back really well. He deals with all that comes through and doesn’t show it at home. So, whatever the hockey world id he leaves it with the hockey team but also includes us as his family with the whole thing.”
The Hun School has a new head coach. Nathaniel Welsh has been named the Raiders’ interim head coach, replacing Eric Szeker,
Welsh has served as an assistant at The Hun School and also has an extensive history with the Princeton Tigers youth program.
The Raiders have played just one game this season, a 3-1 loss to Devon Prep on November 20. They are scheduled to host The Pingry School on Monday before opening their APAC schedule on Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Prep.
What happened Wednesday night at Ice Line was about much more than hockey. For the fourth consecutive year, Malvern Prep hosted RTS Awareness Night. For the second consecutive year, Holy Ghost Prep assumed the role of honored guests, and returned home on the winning side of a 2-0 scoreline.
But the two sides came together on the ice for a higher purpose.
RTS— Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes intellectual and developmental disabilities. Among those afflicted with the malady is Connor Keenan, the soon-to-be 6-year old son of Malvern Prep head coach Bill Keenan and his wife Sarah.
Proceeds from Wednesday’s game, which included various fundraisers, will help support families dealing with RTS including the Keenans, who have two other children, an 11-year old son JJ and a 9-year old daughter Olivia.
Sarah Keenan expressed her gratitude to the local hockey community for its support of her family.
“We feel welcomed by the community,” she said. “Knowing we have so many people supporting our family, and people like Connor with disabilities, it just feels really warm and welcoming.”
Sarah Keenan also offered thanks to the schools that have provided the opposition for Malvern Prep; St. Joseph’s Prep for two seasons and Holy Ghost Prep last season and again Wednesday night.
“St. Joe’s was wonderful,” she said. “Holy Ghost Prep has also been very supportive all night. They’re donating baskets, they’re doing team dinners upstairs, they’re really supporting the whole thing.”
Malvern Prep assistant coach Jared Ingersol notes that the evening has deep meaning for the Friar players.
“The kids get amped up for it all year,” he said. “it means a lot to Coach Keenan and we appreciate everything they do, all the fundraising, they help out as well.
“Our parents and alumni get involved, it’s always nice to see everybody participating”
Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie is proud to have the Firebirds involved in RTS Awareness Night.”
“Obviously, this is a cause that’s super close to {Keenan} he said, “and as I told him the last two years, I think it’s an honor for us to be included in this.
“It’s something that we’re proud to be a part of. We’re proud as a community to kind of bind our schools together because at the end of the day, it’s more important than hockey and that’s something for these young athletes to understand and take with them for the rest of their lives.”
The Game: Lucas Gonzalez gave Holy Ghost Prep a 1-0 lead with a shorthanded goal 1:45 into the third period. Anthony Valeriote set up the goal with a feed from the right-wing corner that found Gonzalez in the low slot midway between the circles. Nathan Romer added an empty-net goal with 13.5 seconds remaining.
Matt Salita earned the shutout in goal, stopping 22 shots.
Holy Ghost Prep (5-1 overall) is unbeaten since a season-opening overtime loss to Devon Prep and is 3-0 in the APAC
Ryan Caterino made 30 saves for the Friars who are 2-3-1 overall and 1-2 in the APAC.
Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 2—2
Malvern Prep 0 0 0—0
Third-period goals: Lucas Gonzalez (HGP) from Anthony Valeriote, 1:45, (sh) Nathan Romer (HGP) unassisted, 16:47
Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 32, Malvern Prep 22; Saves: Matt Salita (HGP) 22, Ryan Caterino (MP) 30What happened Wednesday night at Ice Line was about much more than hockey. For the fourth consecutive year, Malvern Prep hosted RTS Awareness Night, For the second consecutive year, Holy Ghost Prep assumed the role of honored guests and returned home on the winning side of a 2-0 scoreline.
But the two sides came together on the ice for a higher purpose.
RTS— Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome is a genetic disorder that cause intellectual and developmental disabilities. Among those afflicted with the malady is Connor Keenan, the soon-to-be 6-year old son of Malvern Prep head coach Bill Keenan and his wife Sarah.
Proceeds from Wednesday’s game, which included various fundraisers, will help support families dealing with RTS including the Keenans, who have two other children, an 11-year old son JJ and a 9-year old daughter Olivia.
Sarah Keenan expressed her gratitude to the local hockey community for its support of her family.
“We feel welcomed by the community,” she said. “Knowing we have so many people supporting our family, and people like Connor with disabilities, it just feels really warm and welcoming.”
Sarah Keenan also offered thanks to the schools that have provided the opposition for Malvern Prep; St. Joseph’s Prep for two seasons and Holy Ghost Prep last season and again Wednesday night.
“St. Joe’s was wonderful,” she said. “Holy Ghost Prep has also been very supportive all night. They’re donating baskets, they’re doing team dinners upstairs, they’re really supporting the whole thing.”
Malvern Prep assistant coach Jared Ingersol notes that the evening has deep meaning for the Friar players.
“The kids get amped up for it all year,” he said. “it means a lot to Coach Keenan and we appreciate everything they do, all the fundraising, they help out as well.
“Our parents and alumni get involved, it’s always nice to see everybody participating.”
Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie is proud to have the Firebirds involved in RTS Awareness Night.”
“Obviously, this is a cause that’s super close to {Keenan} he said, “and as I told him the last two years, I think it’s an honor for us to be included in this.
“It’s something that we’re proud to be a part of. We’re proud as a community to kind of bind our schools together because at the end of the day, it’s more important than hockey and that’s something for these young athletes to understand and take with them for the rest of their lives.”
The Game: Lucas Gonzalez gave Holy Ghost Prep a 1-0 lead with a shorthanded goal 1:45 into the third period. Anthony Valeriote set up the goal with a feed from the right-wing corner that found Gonzalez in the low slot midway between the circles. Nathan Romer added an empty-net goal with 13.5 seconds remaining.
Matt Salita earned the shutout in goal, stopping 22 shots.
Holy Ghost Prep (5-1 overall) is unbeaten since a season-opening overtime loss to Devon Prep and is 3-0 in the APAC
Ryan Caterino made 30 saves for the Friars who are 2-3-1 overall and 1-2 in the APAC.
Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 2—2
Malvern Prep 0 0 0—0
Third-period goals: Lucas Gonzalez (HGP) from Anthony Valeriote, 1:45, (sh) Nathan Romer (HGP) unassisted, 16:47
Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 32, Malvern Prep 22; Saves: Matt Salita (HGP) 22, Ryan Caterino (MP) 30
Logan Love’s hockey career at Malvern Prep has evolved one step, and one season at a time. The Friars’ senior captain recalls that journey.
“My freshman year, I was more of a role player a fourth-liner,” he said, “but had to capitalize on my opportunities when I was younger. I did not get much time but I still wanted to make as much impact as I could when I was out there.
“My sophomore year, I got a little more ice time as a defenseman. I was able to make a little more of an impact but I was still more of a role player and then last year, as a junior I was able to have more of a voice in the locker room and try to help lead the team as a more experienced player. And now, as the captain and a forward, I’ve been able to help lead the team as best as I can and put is in a better spot to win.”
Through five games this season, Love has scored two goals and contributed six assists. He stresses the importance of he and the other veterans in the lineup showing the way for their younger teammates.
“Our team is still pretty young,” he said, “and talented. {But} mostly also very inexperienced too.
“So being able to set a tone in a game, and in the locker room and in practice, is really huge, because they all are looking to the older guys, seeing what they’re going to do, and modeling their games after us a little bit.”
Love was chosen as the Friars’ captain by a vote of his teammates. It’s a responsibility he takes very seriously.
“It’s been really impactful for me to be given an opportunity to lead our team,” he said.
“I’ve always had a voice in the locker room and honestly, I wanted to be a leader here as a senior. I always wanted to be the captain, but now that I am captain I take pride in my role.
“I’m still adjusting and trying to work my way through it. I’ve had to make some hard decisions and choices. I’m still working through it. The best I can for myself and the team is to keep going.”
Love notes the fact he was chosen by his teammates makes the captaincy more meaningful.
“It does really mean a lot,” he said, because I care about my team and I care about this program and just wat to get the best results my last year.”
The Friars have started the season with a 2-2-1 record (1-1 in the APAC) with one of their losses coming in overtime. In four of their five games, they surrendered the first goal.
“We’re learning from every game we play,” Love said. “Honestly, we’ve come out a little flatfooted in most of our games. I think if we get a head start, come out harder, and get up a goal or two that will help us.
“But, we’ve been able to come back. We’ve had {deficits} at the start of games but we’ve been able to come back from adversity.”
Won Lost OTW OTL SHOW SHOL Pts
Holy Ghost Prep (3-1) 2 0 0 0 0 0 6
St. Joseph’s Prep (5-1) 1 0 0 0 0 0 3
Malvern Prep (2-2-1) 1 1 0 0 0 0 3
Hun School (0-1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
La Salle (1-4) 0 3 0 0 0 0 0
SCORING (ALL GAMES AVAILABLE) GP G A PTS PPG
Lucas Gonalez HGP 4 5 1 6 1.50
Jake Weingartner MP 5 2 5 7 1.40
Cole Gargon SJP 6 3 5 8 1.33
Chris Marshall HGP 4 2 3 5 1.25
Paxton Hoishik MP 5 4 2 6 1.20
Logan Love MP 5 4 2 6 1.20
Chase Logue HGP 4 3 1 4 1.00
Lucas Helms HGP 4 0 4 0 1.00
Goaltending (Min. 102 minutes) MP Shots GA Sv% GAA
Declan Geary SJP 227 135 6 .956 1.35
John Botthof HGP 106 60 3 .950 1.44
Matt Salita HGP 102 36 2 .944 1.00
Ryan Caterino MP 208 138 12 .913 2.94
Anthony Foster La 102 61 6 .902 3.00
St. Joseph’s Prep suffered its first loss of the season Friday afternoon, falling 2-1 to Gonzaga in the two teams’ traditional Black Friday matchup at the Class of 1923 Rink.
All the scoring came late in the third period. Spencer Schmid put Gonzaga in front with 3:47 left in regulation. Tim Thomas made it 2-0 when he added an empty-net goal with exactly one minute remaining.
Michael Washlick scored for St. Joseph’s Prep (5-1 overall) with 18 seconds remaining.
Gonzaga 0 0 2—2
St. Joseph’s Prep 0 0 1—1
Third-period goals: Spencer Schmid (G) from Brendan Jacobs, 13:13; Tim Thomas (G) unassisted, 16:00; Michael Washlick (SJP) from James Fratantuono and Bradan Fisher, 16:42
Shots: Gonzaga 31, SP 22
Pax Hoishik score one of his team’s goals and assisted on the other as Malvern Prep bested La Salle 2-0 Wednesday night in an APAC matchup at Ice Line.
The win lifted the Friars to 2-2-1 overall and 1-1 in the APAC. The Explorers fell to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in conference.
Hoishik opened the scoring 6:06 into the first period with assists from Jake Weingartner and William McCullough. The senior also provided the primary assist on Broderick Campbell’s power-play goal 10:34 into the middle period. The goal came while La Salle’s Roman Tkach was serving a roughing penalty.
Ryan Caterino got the shutout in goal, making 30 saves.
“Playing on Thanksgiving Eve is always a high emotion game with a lot of energy both from the crowd and the team,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan. “We stressed to the team that we needed a fast start, that we had to come out strong and settle into the game but more importantly controlling our emotions. We were able to get a goal in the first period which helped us set the tempo for the rest of the game.
“To LaSalle’s credit they came out strong after the ice cut and played a strong third period. It was nice to get our first APAC win of the season under our belt and get a win against LaSalle who for most of the guys on the team has not happened during their time at Malvern.”
La Salle 0 0 0—0
Malvern Prep 1 1 0—2
First-period goal: Paxton Hoishik (MP) from Jake Weingartner and William McCullough, 6:06
Second-period goal: Broderick Campell (MP) from Hoishik and Logan Love, 10:34 (pp)
Shots: La Salle 30, Malvern Prep 37; Saves: Anthony Foster (L) 35, Ryan Caterino (MP) 30
The night before Thanksgiving is customarily a busy night for high-school hockey and this year is no exception.
There are nine games on the card.
North Penn 8 Central Bucks South 1 —See story
St. Joseph’s Prep 5, Devon Prep 1—Five different players score goals as the Hawks won their fifth straight without defeat Wednesday at Ice Line. Michael Castelli, Braydon Russo, Adam Charrafi, Thomas Ely, and Joseph McGonigal all scored for the Prep which is now 5-0 on the season.
Central Bucks East vs. Central Bucks West 6:00 at RIG
Souderton 4 Pennrige 3 OT—Even Siegler’s goal with 1:53 left in overtime gave the Big Red the win Wednesday night at Hatfield Ice. Kaden Gunning had tied the game for Pennridge with 1:15 left in regulation.
Malvern Prep 2 La Salle 0—See story on this blog
Pennsbury 9 Neshaminy 2—Shane Gleisner scored three goals for the Falconds and added three assists
Holy Ghost Prep 6 Father Judge 2—Lucas Gonzalez delivered a hat trick and Chris Marshall scored twice as the Firebirds bested the Crusaders at Grundy Arena.
Council Rock South 10 Council Rock North 0
Hatboro-Horsham 5 Springfield 4—Five different Hatters scored in the win at Hatfield Ice. Bill Moffa had two assists to go with his goal.
The captain’s role in hockey is unique in team sports. He’s expected to provide leadership on and off the ice, mentor his younger teammates, and perhaps serve as a liaison between the players and the coaching staff.
For Holy Ghost Prep senior Chris Marshall, the role is all encompassing.
”Basically, it’s doing anything to get the job done and win,” he said. “I feel like I have the opportunity to contribute to the team, that’s most important and we’re looking to having a really successful year again.”
Marshall spoke to the importance of the veterans in the Firebird showing the way for their younger teammates.
“That’s everything,” he said. “The seniors and juniors, the upperclassmen have to be there for the {underclassmen} and if they have a bad shift or a bad play, tell them to shake it off, go get the next one. It’s everything for us to be there for them and have one team all be united.”
This mutually supportive atmosphere does not always come to fruition around a hockey team or teams in other sports for that matter. But Marshall sees it as the norm on the Holy Ghost Prep teams he has played on.
“I think it’s the culture,” he said. “Everyone loves each other here. There’s no bickering, there’s no fighting and I think everyone knows what the job is that has to get done and I think everyone wants to work towards that.”
A Lower Bucks County native, Marshall started playing hockey at 6 and eventually followed his brother, a past Firebird captain to Holy Ghost Prep.
“I only really had eyes on Ghost,” he said. “There was no other school I wanted to go to.
“My family played hockey my whole life so I kind of grew up around the game It’s just been a part of my life.”
Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie listed the attributes that Marshall brings to the captaincy.
“He understands what it means to be a Holy Ghost student-athlete,” Ritchie said. “He’s well like by everyone, he, has a positive demeanor and knows the right time when to speak up to try to motivate the team. He’s been on varsity for three years and witnessed the team struggle and succeed, as well as, his own personal accomplishments and obstacles.”
Ritchie says Marshall is well-equipped to handle the responsibilities that come with wearing the captain’s C.
“It’s important to me that the person wearing the C knows how to handle adversity individually because when they’re tasked with being in charge of the team, they can’t fold or disappear,” he said. “Chris is someone that meets these things head on and sets a good tone for our locker room. He is a role model for the younger players.”
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