Category: Founders Cup

Flyers Cup Update 3-8-24

41 teams began play in the Flyers Cup tournament four days ago. 33 have been eliminated. Here’s what’s ahead.

Tuesday, March 12

Class AA Semifinals

Marple Newtown  vs. Unionville 6:15 at Ice Line

Garnet Valley vs. Hershey 8:30 at Ice Line

Wednesday, March 13

Girls Semifinals

Avon Grove vs. Conestoga 6:45 at PNY

Downingtown West vs. West Chester Henderson 5:00 atPNY

Thursday, March 14

Class AAA Semifinals

Holy Ghost Prep vs. La Salle  6:00 at Hatfield Gray

St. Joseph’s Prep vs. Malvern Prep 7:45 Ice Line 1

Class AA Semifinals

Downingtown West vs. Pennridge 8:45 at Hatfield Gray

Boyertown vs. Council Rock Smith 8:30 at Hatfield Blue

Championship games will be played Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, March 18, 19, and 20.

Flyers Cup Schedule Tuesday 3-5

Nine games are on this evening’s card

Class AA First Round

Tuesday, March 5

Pennridge 10 Bensalem 2

Downingtown East 3 Central Bucks East 2

Downingtown West 9 Souderton 4

Haverford High 6 North Penn 2

Council Rock South 12 Spring Ford 0

.Cherokee 6 Lower Merion 3

Boyertown 7 Pennsbury 2

Central Bucks South 5 Avon Grove 2

Class AAA Quarterfinal

Holy Ghost Prep 5 Father Judge 1

La Salle 6 Perkiomen Valley 1

La Salle left little doubt Monday night why it is favored to win the Class AAA Flyers Cup championship. The top-seeded and defending champion Explorers scored three goals in each of the first two periods and rolled to a 6-1 win over Perkiomen Valley at Hatfield Ice.

La Salle will face Holy Ghost Prep or Father Judge net Thursday in a semifinal

Dean Carvalho and Grant Lagreca each scored twice for the Explorers (21-3). Patrick Brace, and Ben Falicki also scored goals.

But while La Salle was clearly the dominant team on the ice, the title of Most Outstanding Player for the evening belonged to Perkiomen Valley goaltender Peter Neveil. The sophomore registered 50 saves in the course of an evening that saw the Explorers outshoot the Vikings 66-10.

“The kid was unbelievable,” said La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner. “we were all wondering, ‘Who is this guy?’

“He made some great saves and did a nice job controlling rebounds.

Lagreca got a look at Neveil from close range.

“He played really good,” the junior said. “We got frustrated at some points because we just wanted to score but he played a heck of a game and kept it close.”

Thanks in large part to Neveil’s efforts it was a 1-0 game in the closing minutes of the first period. Dean Carvalho’s goal at the 3:58 mark gave La Salle the lead but Neveil was impregnable after that until Carvalo and Patrick Brace scored goals 18 seconds apart to put the Explorers up 3-0 with 1:24 left in the opening session. By period’s end, La Salle outshot the eighth-seeded Vikings (11-8-1) 22-5.
Mason McCabe scored Perkiomen Valley’s only goal 3:01 into the second session but La Salle continued to dominate play; by period’s end the shot differential was 40-6.

Lagreca spoke of the importance of he and his teammates maintaining their focus.

“You don’t want to get into bad habits,” he said. “We just want to keep working hard and playing as a team and that will continue to get us success.”

Muehlbronner gave the evening mixed reviews.
“In the end, we got the job done,” he said. “I wasn’t thoroughly pleased with our performance. There are a lot of things we’ve been working on that we kind of got away from a little bit. We’ve got to get back to just playing a hard, simple game.”

• La Salle is seeking it 13th Flyers Cup championship, the most of any school in tournament history.

Perkiomen Valley 0 1 0—1

La Salle 3 3 0—6

First:  Dean Carvalho (L) from Julian Tarsi and Alistair St. Hilaire, 3:58; Carvalho (L) from Logan Dicus, 15:36; Patrick Brace (L) from Charlie Kennedy and Ryan Wiley, 15:54

Second Mason McCabe (PV) from Travis Moscariello, 3:01; Grant Lagreca (L) from James Carpenter, 3:32; Ben Falicki (L) from Lagreca, 12:00; Lagreca (L) unassisted, 16:25

Shots: Perkiomen Valley 10, La Salle 56; Saves: Peter Neveil (PV) 50 Jake Rossi (L) 9

La Salle 7 St. Joseph’s Prep 0

Once they got their arms around the APAC championship, La Salle never let go. The Explorers scored four times the first period and went on to a 10-0 win over St. Joseph’s Prep Wednesday afternoon in the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference championship game at Hatfield Ice.

The win gave La Salle (20-3) its fourth outright Founders Cup title in the APAC’s six-year history; they’ve also shared a fifth.

It was the second APAC title for La Salle defenseman Doucet who noted the second championship felt just as good as the first.

“Absolutely,” he said. “Probably a little bit better. It gets a little bit better every year, I love this.”

The Hawks, who were appearing in an APAC final for the first time, dropped to 15-6.

Next up for both teams is the Class AAA Flyers Cup.

It was Patrick Brace got things started for La Salle on Monday when he beat Jacob Aranda from close range 7:11 into the opening period. Alex Fusaro made it a 2-0 game just 72 seconds later, and Michael Zarzycki and Will Capenter added additional goals before the first frame ended.

La Salle senior Dean Carvalho said the seeds for the fast start were planted earlier this week.

“I think it was the practices we had this past weekend, Sunday and Monday,” he said. “We knew it was going to be tough going into the game. Our last game (the semifinal win over Holy Ghost Prep) we didn’t start out the way we wanted to, so we did what we needed to do going into this game. I think we got that done”

For the Hawks (15-6) the first-period blitz proved overwhelming.

“We know what the makeup of that team is,” said St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin. “They’re big, strong, fast kids. “We tried to warn the kids that the first five or six minutes were going to be important; protect our zone, move the puck quickly Not letting them [penetrate] the zone. Unfortunately they scored three goals from right in front of the net. You can’t give that stuff up.”

Carvalho scored the only goal of the second period at the 7:19 mark. Prior to the final period, Giacomin made a goaltender change, inserting Declan Geary in Aranda’s place.

The Explorers didn’t miss a beat, as Julian Tarsi and Charlie Kennedy found the back of the net.

Carvalho felt the Explorers’s edge in experience had a significant impact on what happened on the ice.

“It was huge,” he said. Almost half our team went through it last year and just the experience of being in. That environment with a lot of people here, and a lot of pressure. I think it really helps out.”

Ice chips¸—La Salle will face Perkiomen Valley Monday night in the Flyers Cup quarterfinals while the Hawks will go against Salesianum.

St.Joseph’s Prep 0 0 0—0

La Salle 4 1 2—7

First-period goals: Patrick Brace (L) from Ryan Wiley and Charlie Kennedy, 7:11; Alex Fusaro (L) Fromm Michael Zarzycki, 8:23; Zarzycki (L) from Fusaro and Cameron Ross, 11:50; Will Carpenter (L) from Grant LaGreca, 15:50

Second-period goal: Dean Carvalo (L) from Julian Tarsi, 7:19

Third-period goals: Tarsi (L) from Brace, 8:48; Kennedy (L) from Will Gregorio, 9:29

Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 21, La Salle 40 Saves: Jacob Aranda (SJP) 25 and Declan Geary (SJP) 7. Jake Rossi (L) 21

Playoff Ponderings—APAC

Wednesday, February 28 4:00 at Hatfield Ice

Founders Cup Championship Game

  1. La Salle (19-3) vs. 3. St. Josephs Prep (15-5)

      How they got here:

       St. Joseph’s Prep defeated Malvern Prep 3-2 in the semifinals. La Salle defeated Holy Ghost Prep 3-1

Against each other:

La Salle won the first of two meetings this season, 3-1 on November 15, then overcame a 3-0 third-period deficit to post a 5-3 win on February 14.

La Salle

The Explorers have been part of every Founders Cup final in history. They claimed the APAC title in 2019, ’20, and ’23. They were declared co-champions along with Malvern Prep in 2021 when the final came was cancelled due to Covid. They lost the title game to the Friars in 2022.

Dean Carvalho leads the team in scoring with 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points in all competitions He also led the APAC in regular-season scoring with six goals and six assists for 12 points. Patrick Brace has eight goals and 12 assists for 20 point in all competitions; 4-4-8 in APAC games including the playoff semifinals. Goaltender Jake Rossi come into the final with a .938 save percentage and a 1.60 GAA.

St. Joseph’s Prep

This marks the first time the Hawks have appeared in the APAC championship game in the conference’s six-year history. Brayden Collins leads the team in scoring with eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points. He has three goals and three assists for six points in conference play. John Lynch, who scored a game-tying goal in the third period of the semifinal win over Malvern Prep, now has five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in all competitions. Jake Shultz was the Hawks’ top scorer against APAC foes, contributing four goals and three assists for seven points; 7-5-12 overall. Jacob Aranda is the likely starter in goal. He comes into the final with an .891 save percentage and a 2.78 GAA.

What comes next:

Both teams will move on to the Class AAA Flyers Cup.

La Salle is the defending champion and number-one seed and will face Perkiomen Valley on March 4. St. Joseph’s Prep is seeded third in the tournament and will face Salesianum the same evening.

La Salle’s Carvalho Primed for APAC Finale

La Salle senior Dean Carvalho knows all about the rivalry between the Explorers and St. Joseph’s Prep. The two schools have been competing against each other since the Philadelphia Catholic League was founded in 1920.

“I think just the level of [competition] between both schools and just the will to win, has just grown over the many years we’ve been competing against them in hockey and many other sports,” he said. “The will to win is there.”

The rivalry between the Explorers and the Hawks will be renewed on Wednesday afternoon when the two schools meet for the Founders Cup and the championship of the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference (4:00 at Hatfield Ice). La Salle is the defending champion and has won three conference titles in five seasons while sharing another.

Carvalho sees the rivalry as mutually respectful, albeit intense.

“I think the respect is there, definitely,” he said.” We look forward to those games. In some ways, they’re a lot more fun than playing other schools because it’s a rivalry. It just makes the game that much more intense and the speed that much higher so I think it’s fun for everybody.”

Dean Carvalho

The Explorers own two wins over the Hawks this season, most recently a 5-3 win on February 14 that saw La Salle enter the third period trailing 3-0. Carvalho says the team regrouped during the post-second period ice cut.

“I think we just came together as a team and just realized how we needed to play,” he said. “Things we were doing wrong and what we needed to improve on. I think that period we came out really focused as a team, ready to play. We scored one and kept it rolling and things worked out at the end.”

Carvalho led the APAC in scoring, with six goals and six assists for 12 points (1.5 ppg) during the conference season. He enters Wednesday’s final with 16 goals and 11 assists in all competitions (22 games). He notes the Explorers are team that can and must rely on scoring balance to be successful.

“I think it’s huge,” he said. “One of our strengths as a team is the amount of depth that we have. We have four lines, probably more than four lines that can play, and more than six defenseman that can play. So, there’s never a weak link on the ice and that that reflects the success we’ve had this season so far. I think it’s really important because there’s never that weak link.”

St. Joseph Prep’s McDonald Focused on APAC Final

Wednesday’s APAC championship game for the Founders Cup (4:00 at Hatfield Ice) will be a moment in history for St. Joseph’s Prep. It will mark the Hawks’ first appearance in the final in the APAC’s six –year history.

That’s something Gareth McDonald, a senior defenseman with the Hawks, was well aware of when he spoke of what a victory would mean.

“It would mean a lot,” he said. “I know the APAC is a young league but there’s not a lot of teams in the league so we certainly should be in the championship game more often.”

The Hawks dropped two decisions to the Explorers this season. The second, on February 14 was particularly difficult to digest. St. Joseph’s Prep led 3-0 after two periods before surrendering five goals in the third, one of them into an empty net.

“I think we got a little too comfortable,” McDonald said. “We’ve just got to prove this year that we can beat them. And even after the championship game, because we’re going to have to play them in the Flyers Cup too (St. Joseph’s Prep and La Salle could meet in the Class AAA Flyers Cup finals). We’ve got to prove to them that we can beat them, and to ourselves.”

Gareth McDonald/photo by Joe Mancini

The rivalry between the Hawks and the Explorers does not lack for intensity, but McDonald is quick to point is quick to point out it is also characterized by mutual respect.

“We play against La Salle more on a personal level than if we play against other schools,” he said. “Not because of how we don’t like each other but because we’re friends with kids on the other team. It feels more on a personal level, to prove that we’re better than them.

“We respect La Salle a lot and I’m sure they give us that same kind of respect.”

As high-energy as Wednesday’s matchup promises to be, McDonald says it’s essential for he and his teammates to keep their emotions in check.

“We’re going to have to be very stale emotionally,” he said. “We can’t get down, even if they go up a goal or two.  Or, if we go up a goal or two, we’ve got to stay comfortable, keep playing our game. There’s no reason to [lose focus], regardless of anything that happens.”

McDonald admits that a loss in Wednesday’s final would leave a sour taste, even with the Flyers Cup still to come.

“It’s almost worthless getting to the game and not winning it,” he said. we want to finish the job.”

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

  1. Avon Grove vs. Conestoga/Lower Merion 6:45/PNY
  2. 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

it can be accessed HERE.