It is at last time for the 45th edition of the Flyers Cup tournament.
On this edition of the Hockey Happenings podcast, Rick Woelfel and Flyers Cup Committee President Eric Tye review and discus the tournament brackets.
Category: Flyers Cup
Jim Britt on the State of the APAC
Wednesday’s Founders Cup championship game between La Salle and St. Joseph’s Prep will mark the conclusion of the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference’s sixth season.
Jim Britt has served the APAC’s commissioner since the conference was formed prior to the 2018-19 season. He expressed satisfaction with how the league has evolved since then.
“We have been very pleased,” he said “The reason why the APAC has been so successful is that the institutions are so likeminded when it comes to developing the whole student, athletically, academically, and with a strong service component. This year, it’s been amazing with all the schools, how well they’ve done on the ice with the competition among each other, and against schools from other leagues.
“But the special things they’ve done off the ice have been truly amazing, so it’s a great thing. And we’re looking forward to continuing and growing that.”
Hockey is a varsity sport at all five APAC schools. Britt, who at one time was the head coach at Holy Ghost Prep, says the conference’s hockey programs are aligned with the philosophies of each member school.
“One of the benefits of the way we are structured and the schools, the way they approach it, is that hockey is an integral part of the school’s institutions,” he said. “Their DNA, their philosophies, their values, the integrity of what they’re trying to do.
As a hockey coach, one of the things amazingly valuable was the structure that we might try and instill in the hockey players didn’t stop at the rink door. It was part and parcel of the daily experience at the school. I used to joke that I found it easy to coach when my boss was the athletic director because I knew the philosophies and values that school exhibited and wanted to demonstrate through the athletic program; it was easy to comply with that. It’s a whole lot easier to get everyone the same page.”
Britt credit the coaches of the five conference schools for their approach and for understanding what the APAC is about.
“I’ve known all of the APAC coaches for many years, dare I say decades,” he said.
“The latest coach to join, John Ritchie at Holy Ghost Prep, was one of my players. I’m very proud to be part of this circle of people who are trying to do the right thing and provide an outstanding experience for the hockey players.”
There is considerable speculation within the area hockey community concerning if and the APAC will expand beyond its current alignment of Holy Ghost Prep, Hun School, and Malvern Prep in addition to the two Founders Cup finalists. Britt deals with that issue on a regular basis.
“I don’t think a week goes by, especially this past season, where someone hasn’t pulled me aside or sent me an e-mail [regarding expansion],” he said.
“We’re going to enjoy this APAC playoff season and certainly look forward to a successful Flyers Cup season at the AAA level for the four teams who do compete in the Flyers Cup, then we’ll get together and decide the direction of next year and possible growth.
“There are several school who have expressed an interest in joining the APAC but we want to make sure that everything is aligned correctly, the right way, so that the integrity of the conference remains high. That the schools that might be considered to join APAC are competitive, are aligned with the same values on and off the ice. I would not want to predict a timeline for growth or anything in the near future.”
Flyers Cup Schedule
A total of 41 teams in four divisions will skate in the 45th annual Flyers Cup tournament.
Eight teams will comprise the Class AAA bracket, 16 more will compete in Class AA, 12 in Class A and five in the Girls Division.
The Delaware/South Jersey bracket has been eliminated this season.
First-round games are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, March 4 – 6; the tournament is expected to conclude March 19 or 20.
Nine SHSHL teams made the tournament field as did four APAC teams.
Here is an overview of the tournament schedule
All sites and times beyond the first round are tentative and subject to change.
Class AAA Quarterfinals
Monday, March 1. La Salle vs. 8. Perkiomen Valley 8:30/Hatfield Ice
Tuesday, March 5 4. Holy Ghost Prep vs. 5. Father Judge 8:30/Grundy
Monday, March 4 2. Malvern Prep vs. 7. Devon Prep 6:15/Ice Line
Monday, Match 4 3. St. Joseph’s Prep vs. 6. Salesianum 7:00 Skatium
Semifinals March 18 (tentative)
Finals March 19 or 20
Class AA First Round
Tuesday, March 5
1.Pennridge vs. 16. Bensalem 8:30/Hatfield
8. Central Bucks East vs. 9. Downingtown East 6:00/ Hatfield
4. Downingtown West vs. 13. Souderton 6:15/Ice Line
5. Haverford High vs. 12. North Penn 7:00/Skatium
2. Council Rock South vs. 15. Spring Ford 6:00/Grundy
7. Lower Merion vs. 10 Cherokee 9:00/Skatium
3. Boyertown vs. 14. Pennsbury 8:30/Ice Line
6. Central Bucks South vs. 11 Avon Grove 6:30 at Hatfield
Thursday, March 7
Quarterfinals
Pennridge/Bensalem vs. C.B. East/Downingtown East
Downingtown West/Souderton vs. Haverford/North Penn
C.R. South/Spring Ford vs. Lower Merion/Cherokee
Boyertown/Pennsbury vs. C.B. South/Avon Grove
Semifinals
TBD The week of 3-11
Finals
March 19, 20, or 21 Site TBD
Class A First Round
Monday, March 4
8. Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. 9. Unionville 6:00/Hatfield
5. Lower Dauphin vs. 12. Radnor 7:45 Ice Line
7. Palmyra vs. 10. Penncrest 8:30 Ice Line
6. Springfield-Delco vs. 11 West Chester Henderson 9:00/Skatium
Quarterfinals
Thursday, March 7
PW/Unionville vs. 1. West Chester East TBD/Ice Line
Lower Dauphin/Radnor vs. 4. Marple Newtown TBD
Palmyra/Penncrest vs. 2. Garnet Valley TBD
Springfield/WC Henderson vs. 3 Hershey TBD
Semifinals TBD
Finals March 19 or 20 Site TBD
Girls
Wednesday, March 6
Quarterfinal
4. Conestoga vs. 5. Lower Merion 7:45/PNY
Semifinals
Wednesday Match 13 tentative
- Avon Grove vs. Conestoga/Lower Merion 6:45/PNY
- Downingtown West vs. 3. West Chester Henderson 5:00/PNY
Monday March 18 tentative
Championship 6:00/PNY
The Flyers Cup selection show aited air on the Flyers Cup YouTube Channel
C.B. East 3 North Penn 2
The storm struck suddenly, seemingly without warning. Corey Kosick and Jaden Young scored goals 32 seconds apart in the opening moments of the third period as Central Bucks East overcame a one-goal deficit to post a 3-2 win over North Penn Thursday night in a SHSHL National Division quarterfinal at Hatfield Ice.
Young scored two goals for the fourth-seeded Patriots (12-5-2) who will face top-seeded Pennridge in next Wednesday’s semifinal round. Fifth-seeded North Penn (10-8-1) will wait and see where it is seeded for the upcoming Flyers Cup tournament.
But both teams will pay a toll for their efforts Thursday night. An altercation following the final buzzer involved several players from both teams. As this story was being written, the two referees were reviewing video of the incident and adjudicating penalties. If fighting penalties and/or misconducts are accessed, the players involved will be suspended.
The incident did not diminish the performance of East goaltender Cole Breen. The Patriots were outshot 41-19 but Breen, for the most part, kept the Knights at bay with 39 saves.
Breen said the key was maintaining his concentration.
“Mainly just focusing on every shot at a time,” he said “Worrying about myself and doing my job. The team got it done also.”
The two teams held each other scoreless for nearly all of two periods before Nolan Shingle beat Boyle from close range to give the Knights 1-0 advantage with 1:32 left in the second frame.
At that point, North Penn seemingly had the upper hand.
“For the first two period I thought we absolutely controlled the play,” said North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis, “and did everything we wanted.
“Their goalie was playing great, we were getting chances, we just couldn’t put it behind him.”
But early in the third stanza, things changed, seemingly in the blink of an eye.
First, Kosick went in on North Penn goaltender Aidan Quigley and found the back of the net just 49 seconds into the period. Thirty-two seconds later it was Young’s turn; the junior gave his team a lead it would not relinquish.
“Over intermission [before the third period] we devised some of our plan,” Young said. “We knew we had to [apply] pressure to turn some of the momentum and gain an advantage, and that’s what we did.”
“They had two quick goals there,” Vaitis said, “on two quick shifts unfortunately.”
Young’s second goal was a shorthanded effort that came at the 6:24 mark and made it a 3-1 game.
North Penn got an opportunity when the Patriots’ Patrick O’Brien drew a cross-checking penalty with 4:26 to go. Down two goals at that point, Vaitis considered lifting Quigley.
“I thought about it,” Vaitis said. “We were getting a lot of good chances on the power play. We were hoping we were going to be able to capitalize on one there.”
With the North Penn net empty, Samuel Norton scored the Knights’ second goal with 64 seconds left in regulation.
The final buzzer served as a match that set off the subsequent fireworks.
“Not a smart play by us, by any means” Vaitis said. “Unfortunately, for us, if we get selected, our next game would be in the Flyers Cup and we’re probably going to be missing some guys for that.
“But there’s no need for that. We’ve got to be smarter and skate away from it.”
Central Bucks East Jeff Mitchell knows he will be without at least one player for the National Division semifinal; Carter Keiser was sent to the locker room 7:36 into the third period when he received his fourth penalty.
Mitchell would like to see the SHSHL utilize the four-person officiating system for playoff games.
“I don’t fault anybody [if] a kid looks at another kid the wrong way, or somebody feels like they’re wronged,” he said. “I get it. I was 18 once too.
“An eye for an eye, I’m all for it obviously, but I think we need a little bit more supervision … when it comes to situations like this.”
This story will be updated as more information become available
North Penn 0 1 2—2
C.B. East 0 0 3—3
Second-period goals: Nolan Shingle (NP) from John Stinson and James Boyle, 15:28
Third-period goals: Corey Kosick (CBE) from Dave Brown, :49; Jaden Young (CBE) unassisted, 1:21; Young (CBE) 6:24 (sh); Samuel Norton (NP) from Cole Pluck and Joe Savotti, 15:56
Shots: North Penn 41, C.B. East 19 Saves: Aidan Quigley (NP) 16, Cole Breen (CBE) 39
Updated Playoff Schedule 2-22-24
Thursday, February 22
SHSHL National Division Quarterfinal
4. Central Bucks East vs. 5. North Penn
7:10 at Hatfield Ice
Wednesday, February 28
APAC Championship Game
St. Joseph’s Prep at La Salle
4:00 Hatfield Ice
SHSHL American Division Final
Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. Bensalem
6:50 at Hatfield Ice
SHSHL National Division Semifinal
C.B. South vs. Council Rock South
7:20 at Grundy Arena
SHSHL National Division Semifinal
C.B. East or North Penn vs. Pennridge
8:45 at Hatfield Ice
Thursday, February 29
SHSHL National Division Final
Site, Time TBD
St. Joseph’s Prep 3 Malvern Prep 2
All season long, St. Joseph’s Prep has counted on young players to step up in big situations. One of them did Wednesday night when it mattered most.
Sophomore Michael Castelli’s goal with 6:53 remaining in regulation was decisive as the Hawks bested Malvern Prep 3-2 in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference semifinal at the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 Arena. The third-seeded Hawks (15-5) will face top-seeded La Salle next Wednesday at Hatfield Ice (time TBD) for the Founders Cup. It will mark the school’s first appearance in the final in the six-year history of the APAC.
Castelli, a first-year varsity player, described the winning goal.
“My teammate [Ben Kersun] shot from the point,” he said. “I drove the net hard, got the rebound, and buried it.”
Castelli’s effort on the game winner is what the Hawks have come to expect from the underclassmen on the roster.
Senior captain John Lynch noted their impact in the semifinal.
“It was huge,” he said. “They show that they deserve ice time out there. Because they’re working just as hard as [the upperclassmen] do. And we try to push them as hard as we can. “They’re really earning their ice. They’re not given the ice. They’re earning it every time and they’re getting better every game.”
Castelli says the support of the upperclassmen has sped his development as a player.
“They’v been great,” he said. They’re just very supportive. Never negative,”
The second-seeded Friars (9-8) took the ice missing several key performers due to injury, including their captain, Jeremy Jacobs.
But they took the early lead when Jonathan Holt found the back of the net just 1:53 into the opening period. Tristan Winata tied the game for the Hawks 10:07 into the second frame but Caiden Canale put Malvern Prep back in front with 3:52 left in the period.
Lynch tied the game for St. Joseph’s Prep with a power-play goal 4:34 into the final period as momentum gradually shifted in the Hawks’ direction.
“I thought we had a good period-and-a-half of hockey,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan. “[St. Joseph’s Prep] came out in the second half of that game and played well.
“Our third period cost us. We had two penalties off the get go playing shorthanded. That cost us.”
Ice chips: Both teams will be part of the field for the Class AAA Flyers Cup beginning the week of March 4. The Hawks and the Friars split two regular-season meetings.
St. Joseph’s Prep 0 1 2—3
Malvern Prep 1 1 0—2
First-period goal: Jonathan Holt (MP) from Brady Doyle and Caiden Canale, 1:53
Second-period goals: Tristan Winata (SJP) from Calum Hartnell, 10:07; Canale (MP) from Teague Murray and Aidan Kelly, 13:08
Third-period goals: John Lynch (SJP) from Cole Garson and Hartnell; Michael Castelli (SJP) from Ben Kersun, 10:07
Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 24, Malvern Prep 15; Saves: Jacob Aranda (SJP) 13, Matt Crawford (MP) 21
Holy Ghost Prep 5 Hun School 2
Holy Ghost Prep started fast on Tuesday and kept on going. A pair of first-period goals gave the Firebirds a 2-0 lead and propelled them to a 5-2 win over Hun School in the APAC play in game at Grundy Arena.
Fourth-seeded Holy Ghost Prep (11-12) earned a date with top seed and defending champion La Salle Wednesday at 4:00 at the Class of 1923 Arena at the University of Pennsylvania. Fifth-seeded Hun School closed its season at 4-11.
Having twice defeated the Raiders during the regular season, the hosts took the ice on Tuesday looking to set a tone. Pat Slook’s goal 3:12 into the opening period did just that. Jack Gavaghan made it a 2-0 on a shot from the right point with 2:34 left in the period.
“We knew that if we just jumped on them, it we got one early, we could keep rolling through them,” Slook said. “The plan was to get pucks deep and go at them, work in the corners and just grind out. Getting that first goal was a big one early.”
Nathan Romer and Caine Bickel added power-play goals for the Firebirds in the second frame, just over five minutes apart.
Special teams were impactful for much of a game that featured 12 minor penalties, six to each side.
A.J. Prete made it a 5-0 game 2:20 into the third period and the Firebirds seemed to have things well in hand.
At that point the Raiders, who had just 14 skaters dressed, seemed to be running low on energy. Following Prete’s goal, P.J. Angotti replaced Julien Arseneault in the Hun School net
But the visitors never stopped working and their effort paid off when Charles-Etienne Jette got the puck past Firebird netminder Jack Unger 5:35 into the final session. Joachim Neverdahl added a shorthanded goal just shy of four minutes later.
Hun School coach Eric Szeker celebrated his young team’s work ethic.
“My guys gave it everything they had,” he said. “Fatigue, whatever it might be, they made no excuses.
“We came out in the third when everything was against us and we still put a great effort out. That tells you about the [team] more than the score will.”
Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie notes there is still work left to do as his team evolves.
“We gave up a couple breakaways late in the second period,” he said. “A young team starts to cheat a little bit when they have some success offensively and I thought we did that. It ended up hurting us.”
With the ‘second season’ now underway, Slook is encouraged by the progress he and his teammates have made over the course of the campaign.
“We grew as a team,” he said. “I think we hit a few speed bumps along the way but I think we just stayed together as a team and worked through it, and I think we’re in pretty good shape for the playoffs.”
Ice chips: Nine Hun School players concluded their high-school careers this season … The Holy Ghost Prep-La Salle game will be the first game of an APAC semifinal doubleheader matching Malvern Prep and St. Joseph’s Prep. is scheduled for a 6:15 start.
The results of the playoffs will not impact Flyers Cup tournament seedings.
Hun School 0 0 2—2
HGP 2 2 1—5
First-period goals: Patrick Slook (HGP) from Jake McCaw, 3:12; Jack Gavaghan (HGP) from Andrew Morgan and A.J. Prete, 14:26
Second-period goals: Nathan Romer (HGP) from Caine Bickel, 2:30 (pp); Bickel (HGP) from Colin Bara, 7:41 (pp);
Third-period goals; Prete (HGP) from Joseph Kaufmann, 2:20; Charles-Etienne Jette from Andrew Darst, 5:35; Joachim Neverdahl (HS) from Justin Laplante and P.J. Angotti, 9:25 (sh);
Shots: Hun School 21 Holy Ghost Prep 39; Saves: Julien Arseneault (HS) and P.J. Angotti (HS) 34, Jack Unger (HGP) 19
For more about Holy Ghost Prep CLICK HERE
For more about The Hun School CLICK HERE
Playoff Ponderings—APAC
Tuesday, February 20
APAC Play In
#5 Hun School at #4 Holy Ghost Prep
4:00 Grundy Arena
Hun School (4-10, 1-7 APAC)
A young Raider squad battled inexperience and injuries for much of the season. Justin Laplante scored four goals and added three assist in conference play. Julian Arsenault (.920 save percentage) and P.J. Angotti are both solid in goal.
Holy Ghost Prep (10-12, 3-5 APAC)
A young team matured as the season progressed.
Anthony Valeriote leads the team in scoring with four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in all competitions. Matt Cholaj has scored three goals and added 10 assists for 13 points.Jake McCaw finished regular season with nine goals and added four assists for 13 points; 3-3-6 in APAC play. Jack Unger is the probable starter in goal (.958 save percentage, 0.84 GAA in conference play; .893/2.36 in all competitions).
Wednesday, February 21
#1 La Salle vs Hun School/Holy Ghost Prep
4:00 at Class of 1923 Rink
La Salle (18-3, 8-0 APAC)
The defending conference, Flyers Cup, and state champion Explorers are seeking their fourth outright APAC title in the conference’s six-year history (they’ve also shared another). Dean Carvalho led the APAC in scoring with six goals and six assists for 12 points. He tallied 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points in all competitions. Patrick Brace has collected eight goals and 11 assists for 19 point in all competitions; 4-3-7 in the APAC. Goaltender Jake Rossi has a season-long save percentage of .936 and a GAA of 1.63; .954/1.13 in conference play.
#3 St. Joseph’s Prep vs #2 Malvern Prep
6:15 at Class of 1923 Rink
St. Joseph’s Prep (14-5, 4-4 APAC)
A corps of young players combined with veteran leadership to record some impressive results for the Hawks this season. Brayden Collins led the team in scoring with eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points; 3-3-6 in conference play. John Lynch scored four goals and added 11 assists overall. Jake Schultz was the Hawks’ top scoring in APAC competition with four goals and three assists for seven points; 7-5-12 overall. Jacob Aranda started every conference game in goal and finished league play with an .894 saver percentage and a 3.09 GAA; .893/2.85 overall.
Malvern Prep (9-7, 4-4 APAC)
The Friars had their ups and down early on, but rebounded to win six of their last nine games. Jeremy Jacobs led the team in scoring with 17 goals and 15 assists for 32 points; 5-6-11 in conference play. Caiden Canale deposited six goals and added seven assists for 13 points in all competitions; 1-4-5 in the APAC. Brady Doyle added five goals and seven assists overall; 1-4-5 in conference play. Goaltender Matt Crawford turned in a .935 save percentage in APAC play with a 2.27 GAA; .911-2.62 in all competitions.
St. Josephs Prep 6 Hun School 5
When the final buzzer sounded at the Skatium Friday night, a full range of emotions was on display. Satisfaction, albeit mixed with a healthy dose of concern behind one bench, disappointment and frustration at the other.
John Lynch’ goal just before the buzzer gave St. Joseph’s Prep a 6-5 APAC win over The Hun School.
Lynch’s game winner came amidst a flurry in front of the Hun School net. The referee on the goal line signaled a goal a split second before the buzzer sounded although Raider coach Eric Szeker and his players vigorously disagreed with the call.
The winning goal capped a third period that saw the teams combine for five goals, four of them in a span of 5 minutes, 37 seconds that left the teams deadlocked at 5-5 with 10:56 left in regulation.
The win allowed the Hawks (14-4, 4-3 in the APAC) to leapfrog past Holy Ghost Prep into third place in the conference standings. The Hawks will take second place with a win over La Salle in their APAC finale on Wednesday.
The Friars dropped to 4-10 and concluded conference play at 1-7 but Lynch, one of four St. Joseph’s Prep seniors who was recognized on Senior Night, insisted he and his teammates weren’t overlooking their foe.
“We didn’t take them lightly at all,” he said. “We beat them pretty good the first time (7-2) [but] we knew they’re a good team.
“We could have played better today. We weren’t expecting the game to turn out like this. But we did what we could and we didn’t fall back.
“It was a back-and-forth game the whole time and were came out with the victory.”
Neither team ever led by more than a single goal. Offensive opportunities were abundant. Jake Beck delivered a hat trick for the Raiders. Cole Gargon found the back of the net twice for the Hawks.
There were more offensive opportunities than St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin would have preferred.
“You give up five goals in a hockey game, that’s not going to win anything,” he said. “We were lucky to get a bounce and a couple things went our way and we were able to pull it out. A win is a win, I guess. [But] we’ve got some stuff to clean up.”
The result was a bitter-tasting medicine for Szeker and his players to swallow. A young and injury-riddled Raider squad has played its best hockey of the season this week; it came into Friday’s game off an overtime win over Malvern Prep on Wednesday, Hun School’s first APAC win of the season.
But Szeker is pleased with how his troops have continued to battle despite the loss of several veterans, including captain Ryan Levesque,
“When you’re missing four or five guys that play a lot of hockey, it’s tough,” he said. “But, our guys have stepped up, everyone’s giving us everything, and it’s showing out there.”
Ice chips: The result means the APAC playoff pairings are finalized. Holy Ghost Prep will finish fourth and host Hun School in a play-in game. The winner will face La Salle in one semifinal game on February 21. St. Joseph’s Prep and Malvern Prep will meet in the other.
Hun School 1 1 3—5
St. Joseph’s Prep 1 2 3—6
First period goals: Michael Castelli (SJP) from Patrick Sweeney and Thomas Ely, 11:54; Jake Beck (HS) from Justin Laplante, 15:05
Second-period goals: Cole Gargon (SJP) from Calum Hartnell, 1:54 (pp); Beck (HS) from Luke Rassier and Charles-Etienne Jett, 5:38 (pp); Beck (HS) from Brendan Marino, 15:18
Third-period goals: Jake Schultz (SJP) from Ben Kersun, :27 (sh); Joachim Neverdahl (HS) from Aidan Shine, 3:26 (pp); Gargon (SJP) from Garett McDonald and John Lynch, 4:49; Caden Kelly (SJP) from Castelli, 5:26; Jack Neckritz (HS) unassisted, 6:04; Lynch (SJP) from Hartnell and Caden Kelly, 0:00 Shots: Hun School 27, St. Joseph’s Prep 25; Saves: P.J. Angotti (HS) 19, Jacob Aranda (SJP) 2
Flyers Cup Rankings
Below are the newest Flyers Cup rankings as of 2-5-24. This is the last set of rankings before the tournament field is announced on Sunday, February 25
Class AAA
- La Salle
- Malvern Prep
- St. Joseph’s Prep
- Holy Ghost Prep
- Father Judge
Class AA
- Pennridge
- Council Rock South
- Boyertown
- Downingtown West
- Haverford
Class A
1. Garnet Valley
2. West Chester East
3. Hershey
4. Marple Newrown
5. Lower Dauphin
Girls
- Avon Grove
- Downingtown West
- West Chester Henderson
- Kingsway
Hockey Happenings 