Malvern Prep 3, Holy Ghost Prep 2 (shootout)

WEST GOSHEN—In a normal hockey season, the field for the Flyers Cup tournament would be announced about now. Because of the pandemic, the 2021 regular season still has a month to go. But Wednesday night, Holy Ghost Prep and Malvern Prep demonstrated what a Flyers Cup game should look like.

Jack Constabile scored in the bottom of the fourth round of a shootout to give the Friars a 3-2 win over the Firebirds in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game at Ice Line. The win kept Malvern Prep in six starts this season (3-0 in the APAC). It was the first loss for Holy Ghost Prep in four tries (2-1 in conference).

It was the first of three regular-season meeting between the two teams who have emerged as the top contenders for the APAC championship. On Wednesday night, there was little that separated them.

“I thought Holy Ghost played a tremendous game,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan.”‘I think it’s a testament to our league, and how good the teams are, the strength.”

Malvern Prep’s Jack Constabile (in white) battles with Holy Ghost Prep’s Sean Marshall (photo: Gracie Cleveland)

On a night when the level of play was superb, the brightest star in the heavens was Friar goaltender Anthony Perti. He made 28 saves over the course of 48 minutes of regulation play and five minutes of three-on-three overtime including a half dozen that belong on a highlight reel. The junior sensed the importance of the occasion.

“I kind of knew,” he said. “Big moments, you’ve got to be ready for them if you want to be a big-time player, so I was definitely ready for them. It was a massive game.”

Bobby Baehser in the Firebirds’ net didn’t have to be as spectacular as his counterpart but he was just as efficient; he also finished with 28 saves.

Brady Baehser opened the scoring for Holy Ghost Prep 4:48 into the first period off a turnover deep in the Malvern Prep defensive zone. It took the Friars just 15 seconds to respond; Jeremy Jacobs won a goal-mouth scrum at the 5:03 mark.

The hosts took the lead with 1:05 left in the second stanza when Matt Harris tipped in Steven Getsie’s shot from the left point.

A few minutes prior to that however, Perti made his best save of the game when he denied Anthony Sparo at the end of a two-on-none rush.

The Firebirds stepped up the pressure in the third period, outshooting the Friars 13-5. It was Shaun Moore who scored the tying goal on a backhander from the right side of the net at the 8:11 mark.

Both teams had chances in overtime but only Constabile could find the net in the shootout. It wasn’t for a lack of trying however; the Firebirds found iron three times in four attempts.

“It was a great high-school hockey game,” said Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside. “Two good teams. I though their goalie played really well, made some big stops.

“I thought at times we didn’t have good puck luck either, a couple posts here and there. But that’s hockey.”

Ice Chips—The Firebirds and the Friars will face each other Monday afternoon at Grundy Arena and again on March 11, also at Grundy with additional meetings possible in the APAC playoffs and during the Class AAA Flyers Cup tournament … The Friars unveiled a new set of white sweaters Wednesday which featured a logo commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the school’s hockey program. The school fielded its first team in 1970.

Holy Ghost Prep 1 0 1 0 (0)

Malvern Prep 1 1 0 0 (1)

First-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) unassisted 4:48; Brady Doyle (MP) from Chrs Blango, 5:03.

Second-period goal: Matt Harris (MP) from Steve Getsie and Ryan Sambuco, 14:55

Third-period goal: Shaun Moore (HGP) from Landon Stoudt and Sean Marshall, 8:11.

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 30, Malvern Prep 30; Saves: Bobby Baehser 28, Anthony Perti (MP) 28

For more about Holy Ghost Prep Click Here

For more about Malvern Prep Click Here

February 22 a Special Day in U.S. Hockey History

February 22 is one of the most significant dates in U.S. hockey history, indeed, in American history. It was on that date 41 years ago that the United States defeated the Soviet Union 4-3 in a medal-round game at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.

Contrary to what some may believe, the game did not determine the gold-medal winner, nor was it a semifinal in the traditional sense; the U.S. had to defeat Finland two days later to win gold, which it did 4-2.

But it was the game against the Soviets that remains in the mind’s eye four decades after Lake Placid, and for good reason. At the time of the 1980 Olympics, the Soviet national team was considered the greatest hockey team in the world. While its players were technically amateurs, at least in the eyes of the International Olympic Committee, they played and trained year round. The American team consisted of college players and had an average age of just 22, the youngest team in the 12-team field.

But over the course of the two weeks the Americans, under coach Herb Brooks, went 6-0-1, opening with a tie against Sweden before going on to defeat Czechoslovakia, Norway, Romania, and West Germany over a span of eight days in preliminary play before advancing to the medal round.

I feel a bit sorry for the high-school athletes whose achievements we cover here at Hockey Happenings who have no memories of the Miracle on Ice; the events of that February evening occurred some 23 years before most of the members of the high-school Class of 2021 were born; indeed, before the parents of some of today’s high-school players were born.

But it is an occasion that all young hockey players should learn about and commit to memory; it is part of the historical fabric of the sport in America and, because of the political time, part of our nation’s history as well.
We choose not to relate the details of the U.S.-Soviet matchup here; they can be found on line.

Better yet, if you’re and up and coming hockey player looking to connect with the history of your chosen sport find the game broadcast on YouTube. We can assure you that despite knowing the result, you will be caught up in the emotion of the moment.

Catch our Hockey Happenings podcast at

https://www.buzzsprout.com/213400

Flyers Cup Committee President Eric Tye and I discuss the upcoming tournament.

Flyers Cup Committee Names Eligible Teams

The countdown to the 42^nd annual Flyers Cup tournament has officially begun with the revelation of the teams that are eligible to be selected for the tournament field.

The Flyers Cup Committee revealed a list of 64 tournament-eligible teams on Thursday morning.

The 64 teams represent the InterCounty Scholastic Hockey League, the Suburban High School Hockey League, the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference, the Lehigh Valley Scholastic Hockey league, and the state of Delaware.

There will be four brackets: Class A for public schools with enrollments of 625 males or fewer (based on PIAA enrollment figures); Class AA for public schools with male enrollments exceeding 625, Class AAA for private schools, and girls.

Tournament play is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 5. The number of teams that will comprise each bracket has yet to be determined by the Flyers Cup Committee.

The Flyers Cup is an invitational tournament and there are no automatic bids.

Last year’s tournament was called off prior to completion because of Covid-19 issues.

The 64 teams eligible for selection to this year’s tournament include:

Class AAA (14 teams)

Archbishop Carroll

Archbishop Ryan

Bishop Shanahan

Bux Mont Catholic

Cardinal O’Hara

Delaware Military Academy-Tatnall

Father Judge

Holy Ghost Prep

La Salle

Malvern Prep

Roman Catholic

Salesianum

St. Mark’s-Tower Hill

St. Joseph’s Prep

Class AA (24 teams)

Abington

Avon Grove

Boyertown

Central Bucks East

Central Bucks South

Central Bucks West

Conestoga

Council Rock South

Downingtown East

Downingtown West

Harry S Truman

Haverford

Neshaminy

North Penn

Owen J. Roberts

Parkland

Pennridge

Pennsbury

Perkiomen Valley

Quakertown

Ridley

Souderton
Spring Ford

William Tennent

Class A (16 teams)

Garnet Valley

Harriton

Hatboro-Horsham

Lower Merion

Marple Newtown

Moreland/New Hope

Penncrest

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Radnor

Springfield Delco

Strath Haven

Sun Valley

West Chester Bayard Rustin

West Chester East

West Chester Henderson

Wissahickon

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Girls (10 teams)
Avon Grove

Bux Mont

Conestoga

Downingtown West

Lower Merion
Radnor

West Chester Bayard Rustin

West Chester East

West Chester Henderson

Unionville

SHSHL Update for 2-15

SHSHL Standings as of 2-15-21

National/Continental W L T OTL Pts.

Pennsbury (5-0-0-1) 3 0 0 0 6

Neshaminy (4-1) 3 0 0 0 6

Pennridge (5-1) 3 1 0 0 6

Central Bucks South (2-2-1) 2 0 0 0 4

Council Rock South (3-0-0-2) 1 0 0 1 3

North Penn (2-3-1-0) 1 2 0 0 3

Central Bucks East (2-2-0-1) 0 2 0 1 1

Central Bucks West (0-5) 0 3 0 0 0

Souderton (0-5) 0 3 0 0 0

American Division W L T OTL Pts.

Abington (5-1) 5 1 0 0 10

Wissahickon (5-1) 5 1 0 0 10

Hatboro-Horsham (3-2-1-1) 2 2 1 1 8

Plymouth-Whitemarsh (4-2-0-1) 3 2 0 1 7

Truman (3-3) 3 3 0 0 0

William Tennent (1-3-1-0) 1 3 1 0 3

Quakertown (0-5-0-1) 0 5 0 1 0

National/Continental Scoring GP G A Pts

Brendan Macainsh (Pb) 6 7 9 16

Adam Bostock (CBE) 5 8 7 15

Thomas Gallagher (Nesh) 4 8 5 13

Robert Seewagen (Nesh) 5 7 4 11

Aeryk Lehrhaupt (Pr) 6 8 2 10

Shane Siegmund (Pb) 6 4 6 10

Blake Stewart (Pr) 6 5 5 10

Sam Cherkassky (CRS) 5 6 3 9

J.J. Hathaway (Nesh) 5 2 7 9

Julian Sarne (CRS) 5 1 7 8

J.J. Hathaway (Nesh) 4 1 7 8

Nolan Geria (Nesh) 5 6 2 8

Goals Against MP GA GAA

Mason Moyer (CBS) 149 5 1.61

Ryan Pico (Pr) 290 13 2.15

Jimmy Sweeney (CRS) 178 68 2.15

Brian Nelson (Nesh) 211 12 2.73

Matt Mangicapre (CBE) 244 18 3.54

Save Percentage MP Shots Saves Save Pct

Mason Moyer (CBS ) 149 83 78 .940

Jimmy Sweeney (CRS) 178 109 101 .926

Eyan Pico (Pr) 290 174 161 .925

Bian Nelson (Nesh) 211 103 91 .883

Marek Jorgenson (Pb) 299 182 158 .868

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American Division Scoring GP G A Pts

Bryan Garry (Wss) 6 25 10 35

Nick Hussa (Wiss) 5 8 13 21

Joe Stelacio (Ab) 6 6 10 16

Jeremy McCartney (Tr) 6 6 10 16

Matthew Kramer (Ab) 5 8 5 13

Luke Weikel (PW) 6 6 7 13

Alex Howieson (HH) 7 8 4 12

Aidan Keough (PW) 6 5 7 12

Jason Carrelli (WT 5 6 5 11

Antony Pagliei (Q) 6 7 4 11

Aidan Esack (HH) 7 3 8 11

Seth Lerner (HH) 5 9 2 11

Goals Against MP GA GAA

Michael Bonnani (Wiss) 288 22 3.67

Ben Panella (Ab) 144 9 3.00

Sam Nemec (Ab) 144 13 4.33

Save Percentage MP Shots Saves Save Pct

Ben Panella (Ab) 144 88 79 .898

Sam Nemec (Ab) 144 110 97 .882

Michael Bonnani (Wiss) 288 116 94 .810

Pennsbury 7, C.B. East 6 OT

Bristol—Considering two of the most potent offensive teams in the SHSHL’s National/Continental Division were sharing the ice Thursday night, the goings on were not unexpected. Brendan Macainsh’s goal with 1:13 remaining in overtime gave Pennsbury a 7-6 win over Central Bucks East to conclude an entertaining evening of hockey at Grundy Arena.

Macainsh forced a turnover at the Patriots’ blue line and walked in on Matt Mangiacapre to score the game-winning goal and give his team its fourth consecutive win, the last two of which have come in overtime. The Falcons now stand at 5-1 overall, 3-0 in divisional play.

“At practice on Monday I told them that ‘I think this will probably be our toughest game of the season,’” said Pennsbury coach Ryan Daley. “I think it proved to be our toughest game of the season.”

The biggest difference maker in the game was Pennsbury goaltender Marek Jorgenson who finished with 32 saves.

“Some of his saves were just robberies,” Daley said. “It was the only way you could describe it. He played great, I was really happy with his performance. I wish we could have done a little better job in front of him.”

Jorgenson was especially busy in the first two periods, stopping 22 shots. The first frame saw the two teams combine for seven goals. The Falcons built a 4-1 lead but Adam Schmidt, Chris Mangiacapre, and Tyler Godown scored for the Patriots (2-3, 0-2-0-1 in divisional play) in a span of just over eight minutes to tie the game 5:26 into the second period.

Shane Siegmund and Edward Bossler scored goals to give Pennsbury a two-goal lead with 8:51 left in regulation, but Adam Bostock and Godown responded for the Patriots to force overtime.

The loss was the third straight for the Patriots, who are dealing with the absence of forward Phil McIntyre who is out indefinitely with a concussion.

East coach Jeff Mitchell says his players need to improve their pregame preparation. “I think my boys need to do a better job preparing before games,” he said. “We’ve also had a couple injuries over the past two weeks. It’s a tough course to navigate right now but tonight, against the first-place team in the division right now, is probably a step in the right direction.”

For his part, Daley feels the Falcons have exceeded his expectations as the compressed regular season hits the halfway point.

“We’re in a better spot than I could have imagined,” he said. “I knew we had a good team this year but obviously until you start playing, you don’t know exactly what you have, and they’ve surprised me in the best way.”

• Macainsh had three assists to go with his game-winning goal.

C.B. East 3 1 2 0—6

Pennsbury 4 1 1 1—7

First-period goals: Adam Bostock (CBE) unassisted, 3:42; Reese Picker (P) from Erik Eisler and Brendan Macainsh, 6:05 (pp); Eisler (P) from Shane Siegmund, 10:35; Andrew Falkenstein (P) from Macainsh and Connor Coyle, 11:48; Picker (P) from Macainsh, 12:05; Aiden Schmidt (CBE) from Bogdan Boradenko, 12:17; Kyle Hausner (CBE) from Bostck and Carter Keiser, 13:57.

Second-period goals: Tyler Godown (CBE) from Chris Mangiacapre and Kyle McIntyre, 5:26; Siegmund (PB) from Justin Marlin, 8:21.

Third-period goals: Edward Bossler (Pb) from Marlin, 7:09; Godown (CBE) from Bostick and Mangiacapre, 12:20.

Overtime goal: Macainsh (Pb) unassisted, 3:47.
Shots: C.B. East 38, Pennsbury 33; Saves: Matt Mangiacapre (CBE)26, Marek Jorgenson (Pb) 32

Abington 7, Wissahickon 6

HATFIELD— Joe Stelacio’s goal with 4:25 remaining in the third period capped a remarkable comeback and gave Abington a 7-6 win over Wissahickon Wednesday night in a Suburban High School Hockey League American Division matchup at Hatfield Ice.

The Galloping Ghosts rallied from a 5-0 deficit in the second period and trailed 6-3 going into the final session before scoring four unanswered goals to record their fifth victory in six starts.

The win moved Abington in to first place in the division ahead of the Trojans (4-1) who have a game in hand as the SHSHL regular season nears its halfway mark.

“This is certainly a big win for us,” said Abington coach Ken Brzozowski. “It’s something we’ve been working for a while, to be able to play at this level, play at this caliber. We thought coming into the game we had a chance, we got down, and the team just rebounded.”

The Galloping Ghosts had to climb a very steep hill. With just under five minutes gone in the middle period Wissahickon had a 5-0 lead on the strength of three goals from Nick Hussa and two more from Brian Garry. Abington didn’t get on the board until Matt Kramer found the back of the net with 6:58 remaining in the second session. Jordan Heydt and Ian Heydt added goals 55 seconds apart to make it a 5-3 game with 2:39 left in the period.

Garry completed a hat trick to give his team a three-goal advantage heading into the third period but the Trojans, who were playing their first game in two weeks because of Covid-19 issues and had only nine skaters dressed on Wednesday, did not score again. Griffin Carpenter, Stelacio, and Kramer all scored in a span of 4:49 draw their side even with 5:55 left and set the stage for Stelacio’s game winner.

Colin Bruton, Abington’s captain, said he and his teammates maintained their focus during their third-period comeback. “I just think we needed to stick to our game,” he said. “we knew we could score on them. We had three goals on them at that point. We just wanted to keep playing our game, just try and outwork them, and I think we did a good job of that.”

Wissahickon coach Ken Harrington was missing several regulars including his top defense pair.

“We could have played much better,” he said. “Maybe that’s fatigue too. But we still had the lead.”

Ice chips—the Trojans had a 39-21 advantage in shots. Sam Nemec made 33 saves in the Abington net … The two teams will have a rematch on Match 5 … The Galloping Ghosts captured the first three SHSHL titles in history, from 1974-76 They claimed a fourth championship in 1978 and added two more in 2003 and ’04.

Wissahickon 2 4 0—6

Abington 0 3 4—7

First-period goals: Brian Garry from Nick Hussa, 1:07; Hussa from Garry, 13:00 (sh).

Second-period goals: Hussa from Garry, :07; Garry from Hussa, :53; Hussa from David Glazier, 4:58 (pp); Matthew Kramer (A) from Colin Bruton, 9:08; Jordan Heydt (A) Kramer, 12:26; Ian Heydt (A ) from Kramer, 13:21; Garry unassisted, 15:42.

Third-period goals: Griffin Carpenter (A) unassisted, 5:16; Joe Stelacio (A) from Sam Paulik, 5:33; Kramer (A) from Paulik and Ryan Portner, 10:05; Stelacio (A), 11:35.

Shots: Wissahickon 39, Abington 21; Saves: Michael Bonnani 14, Sam Nemec (A) 33

Holy Ghost Prep-St. Joseph’s Prep Matchup a Nod to Hockey History

Friday’s Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference matchup between Holy Ghost Prep and St. Joseph’s Prep at the Skatium will have considerable significance. It will be the first APAC conference game to be played at the celebrated venue.

When the puck is dropped shortly after 7 p.m., the lengthy history of the rink and the brief but impressive record of the APAC will be officially linked.

Located on Darby Road in Haverford Township, and built at a cost of $1.5 million, the Skatium opened its doors on September 20, 1974. The timing could not have been better. The Flyers had won their first Stanley Cup just four months and a day earlier and enthusiasm for hockey in the Philadelphia area was at an all-time high.

The name of the venue was determined via a contest that was open to all residents of Haverford Township. Twelve-year old Michael Steinberg submitted the winning entry. At first, use of the township-owned facility was restricted to Haverford Township residents, but that stipulation was eventually dropped and the rink soon became arguably an epicenter for the growth of amateur hockey in the Philadelphia area in general and Delaware County in particular. And while newer, larger facilities have been built in the years since, none have replicated the Skatium’s intimacy.

Today it is the home rink for a half dozen Inter County League teams, as well as teams from the Independence League, the St. Joseph’s University club team, and the Haverford Hawks youth program.

Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside has made numerous trips to the Skatium as a player and coach. He enjoys the venue’s atmosphere.

“I remember when it was first opened up and going there for youth games as a player and then later as a coach,” he said. “It was always clean. I liked the stands on that one side. The benches were really tight but then they did some renovations and made the benches a lot bigger and nicer, but it was a really good atmosphere to play in.”

Whiteside recalls the atmosphere in the building as being difficult for visiting teams to deal with. “It was a tough barn to play in,” he said. It’s a great atmosphere. I can remember coaching both (Germantown Academy) and Holy Ghost and having some tough games against O’Hara over the years. It’s been a great atmosphere.”

David Giacomin is in his eighth season as the head coach at St. Joseph’s Prep. When he started his career with the Hawks the team played its home games at the Skatium before moving to the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 rink. The Hawks returned to the Skatium this season.

Giacomin was asked what makes the building unique. “I think it’s the atmosphere,” he said. “In a typical year where you can have fans.

“it is an old barn. The student body and everything is all on one side. It’s built up over the glasses. You feel like everybody’s right on top of you. The ceiling has got a decent height to it but it feels like everything is on top of you. So, it’s very quaint.”

Giacomin considers the Skatium an ideal setting for high-school hockey. “It’s just a very exciting place to play,” he said. “It’s usually loud and raucous and when two teams meet, they bring their fans there. It’s just a super, great place.

“There’s the visual, the lighting in there, the ice surface is awesome. Teams seem to enjoy playing at that place, but what makes it special is the 800 to a thousand people that can be in there. It’s kind of suited for a high school hockey game.’’

In 2014, Giacomin’s first year at St. Joseph’s Prep, the Hawks were the top seed in the Class AAA Flyers Cup and faced La Salle in the one-game final at the Skatium a game eventually won by the Explorers 5-4 in overtime

Giacomin recalls that building was packed.

“It was one of those games where we didn’t know going into it how many people would show up,” he said. “Delaware County’s got a lot of hockey folks, and it wasn’t just people from St. Joe’s or La Salle there, it was people who liked hockey who wanted to come over and watch a good game.

“It was just so many people, five deep behind the benches and people wrapped three, four deep around the glasses, in that area and then on the way to the locker room it was almost 11 deep. Both teams took time to get the locker room in between periods.

“It was just a great atmosphere to be a part of and probably something that those kids will never forget.”

Giacomin is enthusiastic about the Hawks returning to the Skatium this season and bringing the APAC along with them.

“Don’t get me wrong, plying at Penn is a great experience, as well,” he said. “That’s another one of those old buildings. But if you brought in 800 people you wouldn’t know 800 people were there. With the Skatium, and all the people who love high school hockey around the area, if you brought in 800 people, you’re going to know they’re all there because it’s going to be loud. It’s just a great place to play we’re looking forward to it.

“Hopefully, we can continue that for years to come because I think presenting the APAC in that area, geographically would enhance our league.”

Holy Ghost Prep 5, La Salle 3

HATFIELD—A lead that once seemed safe was on the verge of slipping away. After holding a three-goal advantage with just over eight minutes left in regulation and a two-goal lead with little more than five minutes remaining, Holy Ghost Prep spent the rest of Friday evening trying to kill three penalties but hung on for a 5-3 win over La Salle in the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference season opener at Hatfield Ice.

The Firebirds (2-0 overall) were shorthanded the last 5:04 of regulation.

Sean Marshall’s empty-net goal with 35 seconds remaining finally settled matters but more importantly, the junior played a key role on his team’s penalty killing unit.

“We were up the whole game and we needed some big plays,” Marshall said. “I think we got them done on the (penalty kills). It was a total team effort.”

Goals from Michael Connelly, Brady Baehser, and Shaun Moore gave the Firebirds a 3-0 lead with 6:32 left in the second period. Michael Casey scored for La Salle (0-1) with 1:23 remaining in the period but Evan Mudrick’s power-play goal 7:50 into the third frame extended the Holy Ghost Prep lead to three goals once more.

That’s when things began to get interesting. Dan Whitock scored for the Explorers with 5:38 remaining to make it a 4-2 game. With 5:04 remaining, the Firebirds’ E.J. Pohl went to the box for cross checking. Landon Stout drew a tripping penalty just 34 seconds later, leaving Holy Ghost Prep two men short for 1:26.

Chase Hannon scored a power-play goal for La Salle with 2:22 left to make it a one-goal game with La Salle still on a power play for another 52 seconds.

The Firebirds survived that stretch unscathed but Luke Panepresso was sent off for hooking with exactly two minutes to play, leaving his team shorthanded for the balance of regulation unless La Salle scored the tying goal. Instead, Marshall shot the puck from his side of the red line down the middle of the ice and into the empty net.

“They put a lot of pressure on us toward the end there,” said Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside. “We found a way to win. We had a good jump early. Have a 3-0 lead helps, but it’s never secure when these two teams are playing.”

It was La Salle’s first game action since the Flyers Cup quarterfinals last March. The tournament was never completed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We looked like we hadn’t played since March,” said La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner. “We did some good things and we did a lot of things that looked like we hadn’t been playing together.”
Muehlbronner was pleased with the way his team rallied in the third period. “We definitely had some good opportunities,” he said. “Their goaltender (Bobby Baehser) did a great job, especially towards the end there. He did a great job. So, that’s something to build on.”

La Salle had a 27-25 edge in shots … The APAC has gone to a four-official system this season.

Holy Ghost Prep 1 2 2—5

La Salle 0 1 2—3

First-period goals: Michael Connelly (HGP) from Patrick McAneny, 9:40.

Second-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) unassisted, :21; Shaun Moore (HGP) from Cole Stevens and Ciaran Chambers, 9:28; Michael Casey (L) unassisted, 14:37.

Third-period goals: Evan Mudrick (HGP) from E.J. Pohl, 7:50 (pp); Dan Whitock (L) from Max Maddalo and Casey, 10:22; Casey (L) from Chase Hannon, 12:38 (pp); Sean Marshall (HGP) unassisted, (sh), (en), 15:25.

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 25, La Salle 27; Saves: Bobby Baehser (HGP) 24, Liam Gross (L) 20

For more information about Holy Ghost Prep Click Here

For more information about La Salle College High School Click Here

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APAC Teams Ready to Hit the Ice

After three months of Covid-mandated delays, the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is ready to begin its third season. Here’s a look at what to expect from the four conference schools.

La Salle

Coach: Wally Muehlbronner (23^rdseason)

Last year: 14-10-2, 3-3-2-1 in APAC; won league title

Key players: Sr. Liam Gross (G); Sr. Andrew Budzynski (D); Sr. Nick Astolfi (D); Sr. David Kimmel (F); Sr. Jake Hannon (F); Jr. Keenan Schneider (F).

Outlook: The Explorers enter the season as the two-time defending APAC champions. They are also the defending Class AAA Flyers Cup and state champions, since those events were not completed/did not occur last season.

This year’s team is deep and experienced. Twelve players return from last year’s roster, including the top scoring line and some experienced defensemen.

Muehlbronner’s hope is that his corps of returnees will bond quickly with a group of eager newcomers to create cohesiveness in a compressed season.

Kimmel. Hannon, and Schneider are all proven goal scorers while Budzynski heads the blue-line corps.

Holy Ghost Prep

Coach: Gump Whiteside (12^thseason)

Last year: 16-5-1, 5-3-1-0 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Bobby Baeshser (G); Sr. E.J. Pohl (D); Sr. Jake Marek (D); Sr. Jimmy Littley (D); Jr. Luke Panepresso (D); Jr Brian Butler (D); Brady Baesher (F); Sr. Evan Mudrick (F); Sr. Cole Stevens (F); Sr. Carlos Rodriguez, Jr. (F); Sr. John Connelly (F); Sr. Michael Connelly (F); JR. Sean Marshall (F); Sr. Pat McAneny (F); So. Anthony Sparo (F).

Outlook: The Firebirds’ lineup will feature an abundance of experienced veterans. Mudrick and Stevens will be counted on up front while Pohl is a fixture on the blue line and Baehser is experienced in goal.

Whiteside is expecting his senior class to provide leadership but will be looking to his younger players to step up when called upon.

Malvern Prep

Coach: Bill Keenan (second season)

Last year: 8-8, 2-5-2-0 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Chris Blango (D); Sr. Ryan Sambuco (F); Sr. Jack Costabile (F); Jr. Matt Harris (F); Jr. Anthony Perti (G); Jr. Pierre Larocque (F); Jr. Quinn Dougherty (D); Fr. Jeremy Jacobs (F); So. Jimmy Jacobs (F); Fr. Brady Doyle (D).

Outlook: The Friars will enter APAC play having already played and won three non-league games.

There is a strong core of returnees, featuring Perti in goal and Blango and Dougherty on the blue line. Harris, Constabile, Sambuco, and Larocque are being counted on up front.

St. Joseph’s Prep

Coach: David Giacomin (eighth season)

Last year: 15-13, 3-2-0-4 in APAC

Key players: St. Andrew Custer (G); Sr. Ryan Newby (D); Sr. Dominic Fantozzi (F); Sr. Connor Burman (F); Sr. Riley Abel (D); Sr. Ben Miraglia (F); Sr. Jack Yerger (F); Jr. Matthew Moresco (D); Jr. Nick Storti (D); So. Rocco Bruno (G); So. Jeffrey Hammond (F); So. Joe Samango (F).

Outlook: This season’s edition of the Hawks is lacking in experience but Giacomin likes this group’s enthusiasm.

“We can’t wait to get playing” he said. We have leadership in key areas”.

One of those key areas is in goal, where Custer and Bruno figure to be an effective tandem.

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William Tennent 11, Quakertown 2

WARMINSTER—William Tennent is skating in new surroundings this season. The Panthers have shifted from the Continental to the American Division of the Suburban High School Hockey League for 2021.

On Wednesday night, they looked very much at home in their new enviornment. Frank Rosenberry scored four goals and assisted on another as the Panthers sped past Quakertown 11-2 at the Bucks County Ice Sports Center.

Like Tennent (1-1), Quakertown (0-1-0-1) switched divisions this season.

Tennent coach Nick D’Aurizio was impressed with the way his troops responded after a season-opening 10-goal loss to Wissahickon one week ago.

“I think the jitters were there last week,” he said, “playing a new team last week. It’s a different season, a different situation.

“We didn’t come ready to play last week. When the puck dropped tonight, we looked like we were ready to go.”

The game stayed close well into the second period. Tennent’s Matthew Castan and Quakertown’s Jack Dilberto traded goals in the first frame before Rosenberry gave Tennent the lead when he scored off a scramble in front of the net with 45 seconds left in the period.

Rosenberry scored his second goal of the game 2:08 into the middle period. That was a prelude to his team breaking the game open with three additional goals in a span of two minutes, 30 seconds. Bryan Mesaro scored the first goal of the flurry before Rosenberry added his third and fourth goals of the evening.

Quakertown coach Keith Krem noted that turnovers caused his team difficulties. “Turnovers and pinches,” he said. “We’ve got to be more defensively sound and more conservative on the back end.

Krem said some of his team’s miscues were the result of poor decision making. “Especially when we got down a couple goals,” he said. “We tended to start forcing some things and just made some risker decisions. (Tennent) was pretty sound in just getting pucks in behind us.”

Castan joined Rosenberry as a multiple-goal scorer for Tennent. He contributed two, along with two assists.

D’Aurizio shuffled his lines after the loss to Wissahickon and his formula produced some impressive results.

“We mixed the lines up a lot since last week,” he said, “Monday we worked on two new line combinations and I think these combinations actually clicked. That’s what it’s all about, tweaking the lineup to find what’s going to fit.”

Notes: Tennent had a 43-24 edge in shots. Thomas Lomas got the win between the pipes. His best work came on back-to-back shots from close range not quite midway through the third period.

Quakertown 1 0 1—2

William Tennent 2 5 4—11

First-period goals: Matthew Castan (WT) from Nate Silberman and Gavin Loughlin, 8:09; Jack Dilberto (Q) from William Wilson, 10:27; Frank Rosenberry (WT) from Silberman, 15:15.

Second-period goals: Rosenberry (WT) from Castan, 2:08; Bryan Mesaro (WT) unassisted, 7:17; Rosenberry (WT) from Justin Carrelli, 9:05 (pp); Rosenberry from Casran and David Parkinson, 9:47; Casrfan (WT) from Jagger Azvolinski, 12:37.

Third-period goals: Carelli (WT) unassisted, 5:39; Azvolinski (WT) from Zach Devor and Walt Wolaniuk, 6:49; Devor (WT) unassisted, 11:33; Maxwell Jallboot (Q) from Anthony Pagliei, 14:29; Carelli (WT) from Rosenberry, 15:48.

Shots: Quakertown 24, William Tennent 43; Saves: Austin Sroudt (Q) 32, Thomas Lomas (WT) 22