Holy Ghost Prep will begin its post-holiday hockey schedule with a trip to western Pennsylvania. The Firebirds will face Shady Side Academy on Wednesday (6:30) before taking on North Allegheny, last year’s Class AAA state runner up, in an outdoor game on Friday at Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park (7:00 start).
Senior forward Brian Butler one of his team’s captains, is looking forward to the trip.
“It’s such a great experience,” he said, “especially for us, and the younger guys to get to know each other even more.
“I know we’re playing two high-caliber teams. And it’s important for us to compete, and that’s what we do well. And that’s what we’re looking forward to doing; just go and compete.”
Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside was a prep-school teammate of Mike Bagnoto, his counterpart at North Allegheny.
“Mike Bagnoto, and I were teammates at Northwood Prep back in 1981,” Whiteside recalls, “and we’ve created a friendship over the years. And North Allegheny competes in the Jamestown (N.Y.) tournament (a fixture on the Holy Ghost Prep schedule) as well. So, when this opportunity came up, I reached out to Mike and he said “Let’s do it.’”
Apart from the two hockey games, the Firebirds will also be participating in a seminar organized by the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation entitled Finding Your Dream in Pittsburgh.
The student-athletes will explore how to use their passion for hockey to create relationships with marginalized students. They will also learn how professional sports teams use their influence to lift up communities in need.
The seminar is part of the Spiritan Immersion Program and, along with the outdoor game, the brainchild of Holy Ghost Prep graduate Jim Britt Jr. who heads the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation.
“We’re really looking forward to it,” Whiteside said. “It’s another opportunity for our hockey program and our school to just find out a little bit more about other schools.”
The past year-and-a-half has been a time of growth for Shane O’ Neill, in the classroom and on the ice.
O’Neill is a sophomore at St. Joseph’s Prep and in the midst of his first season with the varsity as an old school, stay-at-home defenseman.
“I’m a pretty big guy (6-0, 175),” he said, “so, I try to do my role to the best of my ability which is kind of locking it down in the defensive zone and making sure no one pushes the goalie. What I’ve found helps most is always playing a physical game, always keeping your head up.” O’Neill also plays club hockey at the U16 AA level but he has adapted his game to fit the tempo of high-school hockey and the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference. He’s comfortable in his role as his team’s sixth defenseman.
“I love it,” he said. “I feel like I’ve learned so much from my teammates just in the past year and watching those guys; all of them are incredible players. I really learn a lot from them and not only does it help the guys around them get better, it helps me get better just watching them and competing against them, and seeing what they do.”
O Neill’s coach, David Giacomin, appreciates his approach to the game.
“Shane is a hard-working defenseman,” Giacomin said. “He takes direction well and wants to get better. He is our sixth defenseman but continues to work and get better. We reward his efforts by putting him on the penalty kill and power play from time to time.”
Giacomin notes that O’Neill came to the Hawks without expectations or a sense of entitlement.
“Regularly, young players have struggled with playing time on the varsity because they are used to being top in their club teams,” he said. “It takes a bit to understand. Shane has never been that way. As a sophomore, he has come in with a mindset to fit in and get better every day. I think our team has made him better for his club team. He is a great young man to have on our team and makes us better.”
Shane O’Neill
As much as O’Neill had to modify his game on the ice, his most significant adjustments came elsewhere. He was familiar with the history and traditions of St. Joseph’s Prep; his uncles and grandparents had gone to school there as well as some older friends. But there was the inevitable adjustment to a vigorous academic workload.
“It was pretty difficult,” O’Neill said, “going from a workload of back in Catholic school or middle school of probably 20 minutes a night to having sometimes multiple hours a night, upwards of three hours. It was a lot of work; it took some adjustments to get used to it. Now that I’m used to it I feel like I have an edge. I know how to get things done efficiently and well.”
Like many of his peers, O’Neill had to develop time-management skills.
“It was a big challenge at first,” he said, “especially putting down the cell phone and getting homework done. I was playing for two clubs, practicing just about every night of the week and having multiple games on the weekend. It can get pretty difficult but once I got used to it was manageable.”
O’Neill appreciates the support of the St. Joseph’s Prep faculty.
“They’re always willing to meet before school or after school to talk to you and help you out,” he said. “They always are engaging and they do a really good job getting the information into your head.”
O’Neill is most proud of how he has grown as a student and as an athlete over the last year.
“When first came to the Prep I saw some of those guys play and my draw dropped,” he said. “Some of these guys were ridiculously fast and I thought, looking at these guys play that I could never get to the level that they are.
“But, now, in playing with them and seeing what they do and learning from them, having them support you and teach you, it really helped my game out. I’m not quite at the level that they’re at, in terms of skill, but it’s fun to compete with them, it’s a lot of challenge.
“I feel the same way academically; there’s tons of really smart guys at the Prep and they’re all really nice and supportive and they’ll always help you out. And it’s really paid off, putting in the effort and watching myself improve.”
The first set of Flyers Cup rankings for the 2021-22 season have been released. The rankings are based on results, records, and the opinions of members of the Flyers Cup Committee, who observe games either in person or virtually.
AAA
Malvern Prep (APAC)
Holy Ghost Prep (APAC)
La Salle College High School (APAC)
St. Joes Prep (APAC)
Father Judge (ICSHL PCL)
AA
Pennridge (SHSHL Continental)
Downingtown West (ICSHL Ches-Mont)
Haverford High (ICSHL Central)
Council Rock South (SHSHL National)
Neshaminy (SHSHL National)
A
West Chester East (ICSHL Ches-Mont)
Springfield (ICSHL Central)
Hershey (CPIHL)
West Chester Rustin (ICSHL Ches-Mont)
Plymouth Whitemarsh (SHSHL American)
SJ/DE
Salesianum (ICSHL PCL)
Shawnee (SJHSHL)
Eastern (SJHSHL)
Kingsway (SJHSHL)
Moorestown (SJHSHL)
Cherokee (SJHSHL)
Girls
West Chester Henderson (ICSHL National)
Downingtown West (ICSHL National)
Avon Grove (ICSHL National)
Unionville (ICSHL American)
Conestoga (ICSHL American)
Radnor (ICSHL American)
The first installment of the Hockey Happenings podcast featuring Rick Woelfel and Flyers Cup Committee President Eric Tye is now live.
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TRENTON, N.J.—The Pennridge Rams took the ice Wednesday night looking to make a statement. And they did. Andrew Savona’s goal with 1:26 remaining in overtime gave the Rams a 3-2 non-league victory over Holy Ghost Prep.
The win was Pennridge’s eighth this season without a blemish and it came on a night when the Rams were without veteran forwards Aidan Boyle and Andrew David. And while only a sparse crowd was on hand to witness the encounter inside the cavernous Cure Insurance Arena, the result is sure to reverberate within the area hockey community.
“These guys really wanted to play this game,” said Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna. “They wanted this game. “And (when it was scheduled) they were really excited. Because, they wanted a chance to show that they were as good as anybody and that they could play with anybody.
Montagna was proud of the way his team battled the Firebirds.
“They didn’t back down,” he said. “They went toe to toe with them and they deserved everything they got tonight. I don’t know if it’s making a statement but I hope it showed them they can play with anybody of they do what they’re supposed to do.”
Holy Ghost Prep (9-3) had the better of the in a scoreless period but was the Rams who struck first, 4:50 into the second frame finished off a play that originated deep in the Pennridge defensive zone.
The goal seemed to wake up the Firebirds and Landon Stout tied the game at the 6:25 mark.
His teammate Brady Baehser gave Holy Prep a 2-1 lead 6:43 into the third period when he scored during a four-on-four situation.
The game seemed to be flowing the Firebirds way at that point but Shane Dachowski tied the game for Pennridge when he beat Holy Ghost Prep goaltender Jason Soule from close range at the 10:42 mark.
Soule and Pennridge’s Ryan Pico each made one big save in overtime before Savona’s game winner.
Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside said his team needs to make some changes.
“(Changes in) how we approach the game,” he said. “How we approach each shift, how we approach each other.
“I thought we were a little two individualistic tonight but they’re high-school kids. And talking to these guys after the game, I know they have each other’s backs.”
• There was a scary moment when Pennridge forward Aeryk Lehrhaupt was taken into the wall with 3:52 left in the second period. Lehrhaupt was down on the ice for several minutes but left the ice surface under how own power … The Rams enjoyed a 35-25 edge in shots.
Pennridge 0 1 1 1—3
Holy Ghost Prep 0 1 1 0—2
Second-period goals: Jack Lowery (P) from Aeryk Lehrhaupt, 4:50; Landon Stout (HG) from Brian Butler and Kieran Mulholland, 6:25
Third-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) from Colin Moore and Sean Marshall, 6:43; Shane Dachowski (P) from Ryan Shuler, 10:42
Overtime goal: Andrew Savona (P) from Colin Dachowski and Shane Dachowski, 3:34
Shots: Pennridge 35, Holy Ghost Prep 25; Saves: Ryan Pico (P) 23, Jason Soule (HGP) 32
Jeff Mauro has written a book on the history of the Pennsylvania state high school hockey championship. To find out more and order a copy CLICK HERE
Joe Samango exploded for four goals as the Hawks downed the Fords Tuesday night in the 10th annual Pink The Rink Game at the Skatium.
Samango, a sophomore, scored twice in the first period to help his team overcome an early 1-0 deficit before adding two additional goals in the second.
Jagur McClelland Nate Rabadam scored for Haverford, the reigning Flyers Cup Class AA champion.
The Hawks will compete in the National Capital Tournament aka the Purple Puck Tournament beginning next Tuesday.
Haverford 1 1 0—2
St. Joseph’s Prep 2 2 0—4
First-period goals: Jagur McClelland (H) from Gus Scuderi, 2:12 (sh); Joe Samango (SJP) from Shane O’Neill, 4:20; Samango (SJP) from Jeffrey Hammond and Michael Ahearn, 6:50 (pp)
Second-period goals: Samango (SJP) from Declan Pierce and Christian Short, 2:16; Nate Rabadam (H) from McClelland Owen Rabadam, 2:49 (pp); Samango (SJP) from Nick Storti, 11:35 (sh)
Shots: Haverford 30, St. Joseph’s Prep 39; Saves: Ajay White (SJP) 15 and Rocco Bruno (SJP) 13; Jai Jani (H) 35
The Skatium in Haverford Township will host a special evening of hockey Tuesday night. The occasion is the 10th annual Pink The Rink Game, which will feature St. Joseph’s Prep from the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference and Haverford High, the reigning Class AA Flyers Cup champion, the in a varsity/junior varsity doubleheader.
The varsity game is set for a 7:30 start with the junior varsity game to follow at 9:45. Proceeds from the game will benefit the Living Beyond Breast Cancerorganization which provides support to breast cancer patients.
Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.
Shane O Neill is in his first varsity season with the Hawks. The sophomore defenseman is looking forward to being on the ice Tuesday night.
“There’s a lot of excitement going into it,” he said, “knowing that we’re going to have good competition with Haverford and obviously a lot of excitement knowing we’re playing for a cause, a cause that will help a lot of people. It feels good.”
O’ Neill says he and his teammates embrace giving back to their community by being part of this game.
“It helps a lot,” he said. “I know a lot of people personally who are struggling with cancer, and form of cancer. (The Pink The Rink Game) means a lot, not only to the people who have cancer, but the people who are praying for them. [It feels good] to be able to represent them and help them out.”
HATFIELD—It was a night when hockey was a force for good, a night when a group of hockey players stepped up to a teammate who was suffering. For the record, Council Rock South defeated Central Bucks West 3-0 Wednesday night in a Suburban High School Hockey League matchup ay Hatfield Ice Arena.
But in some respects, the result was immaterial. What mattered most was that the Bucks were there to support their teammate, senior Joe McFadden, whose mother passed away suddenly on Tuesday.
McFadden attended the game with his father but did not dress. The two teams observed a moment of silence prior to the opening faceoff.
Dave Baun, the Bucks’ veteran coach, sensed the emotion of the moment. “I really felt that,” he said. “The kids almost all knew about it. Several of the ninth graders are not in the high school so they didn’t know about it. But all the kids in the high school knew about it.
“The kids really, really showed a lot of support and I appreciate Council Rock South. A couple of their fans came up and wished me well about it which I thought was very nice.
“It’s not going to be easy for Joey, but it’s always a little bit easier when you have friends.”
Julian Wagenmann scored a goal in the first period to give the Golden Hawks (5-1-1, 3-1 in divisional play) a 1-0 lead 6:18 into the first period. Julian Sarne scored a pair of goals in the second period.
Sarne says the Golden Hawks have grown since the start of the season. “I think throughout the season we’re getting better with our chemistry,” he said. “Our lines are taking short shifts and I think that we’re finally all clicking together.”
The Golden Hawks called up four players who normally play junior-varsity hockey, to step into the varsity lineup.
Carson Lopez who pitched shutout in goal for the Hawks (14 saves) noted that the call-ups would have prepared for the game in the same manner as their older teammates.
“You kind of prepare for it like every other game,” the junior said. “At the end of the day you get the ‘W’ and process to get there is always the same.”
At the other end of the ice, the Bucks’ Reese Dalzell was outstanding making 45 saves. “You couldn’t have been more proud of the way (Dalzell) played tonight,” Baun said. “What did he stop? 45 shots? And some of them were really, really good shots.”
The Bucks now stand at 3-4 overall and 0-3 in the division.
C.R. South 1 2 0—3
C.B. West 0 0 0—0
First-period goal: Julian Wagenmann (CRS) from Matt Constantini and Nolan O’Brien, 6:18
Second-period goals: Julian Sarne (CRS) from Evan Mostoller and Blaize Pepe, 11:06; Sarne (CRS) from Kyle Schneider and Pepe, 14:48
Shots: Council Rock South 48, Central Bucks West 16; Saves: Carson Lopez (CRS) 16, Reese Dalzell (CBW) 45
Jeff Mauro has written a book on the history of the Pennsylvania state high school hockey championship. To find out more and order a copy CLICK HERE
Greg McDonald has coached hockey for more than a decade. His coaching experience was exclusively at the club level until this season when he was asked to take the reins at Council Rock North.
McDonald is no stranger to the high-school game; he skated for Father Judge in the mid-1990s. He took on the position at Council Rock North at the request of a friend. The Indians won three Flyers Cup titles in the late 1980s and early ‘90s but didn’t field a varsity team last season
McDonald was not starting from scratch but his team is less experienced than many of its Class AA opponents in the SHSHL. The Indians completed their pre-holiday schedule Wednesday night with a 6-3 over Bensalem to move to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in divisional play.
When we caught up with him a while back, McDonald was quick to point out he and his players were enjoying the experience of reenergizing their school’s hockey program.
It’s a great group of kids,” he said. “Practices are good and well attended. They’re excited to be out there. It’s a whole new group for me. I’m still kind of getting familiar with them. But it is fun. Practices are high tempo. There’s a lot of talent out there. It’s a big range of talent out there. But, they genuinely enjoy each other and they’re on the ice and they love it so it’s good, its good all around.”
When the SHSHL was formed in the mid-1970s, club hockey had minimal impact compared to the high-school game. While that dynamic has changed in the years since, McDonald embraces the unique qualities of high-school hockey.”
“(Club hockey) is where the focus is,” he said, “but I do think there’s something to be said about school spirit and everybody being at the same school and talking about the game together and the student body here.
I think it’s a good environment the kids honestly, and I think it brings something club hockey doesn’t.”
McDonald reflects on how his high-school hockey career impacted and continues to impact his life.
“I graduated from Father Judge in 1995,” he said. “I didn’t start playing hockey until I was a freshman in high school. Honestly those years, in the locker room, those bonds, that’s what you take with you through life.
“For me I’m really happy to still be around hockey in a competitive light and with greats kids. I couldn’t ask for more honestly. I’m really happy about it.”
Hockey Happenings 