Like the pieces of a puzzle fitting together, The SHSHL’s National Division playoff mosaic is taking shape, with a huge assist from Central Bucks South,
Six different players scored goals as the Titans downed Central Bucks East 6-2 Thursday night at Hatfield Ice, a result that solidifies the division’s playoff bracket.
With the win, South (12-4-1 in the division, 12-5-1 overall) is assured of finishing third in the division standings while the Patriots (10-5-2 overall and in the division) will finish fourth. Both will see action in the opening round of the playoffs in two weeks.
On Thursday night, the Titans. heightened their focus, and turned in a workmanlike, no-frills, effort. D.J. Lindenmuth, their captain, scored a goal and assisted on three others.
The senior noted the importance of the veterans on the roster setting the right tone for their teammates.
“The younger guys look up to the veterans,” he said. “Of we’re not leading by example, or going out and stat padding, or going out and playing for ourselves, no one is going to win a game like that because it’s a team sport.
Tyan Frey, with help from Lindenmuth, and Grant Boyne, gave South a 2-0 first-period lead.
Corey Kosick scored for East 4:42 into the second period to make it a one-goal game for a time but Lindenmuth answered with 2:38 left in the period.
Jaden Young’s tally 4:42 into the third frame made things interesting but the Titans left in the Patriots in their wake when Sean Cutter, Jeff Kvectcher, and Joey Slobodrian scored goals in a two-and-a-half minute span.
South coach Shaun McGinty expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance.
“The boys needed that,” he said. “I thought it was three good periods.
“We definitely got to work, getting the puck deep, playing the physicality.”
McGinty stressed the importance if his team playing quality five-on-five hockey.
“I said to [his players] ‘You have an identity, you have to play that way,” he said. “You can’t sway into other teams’ ways and you can’t sway into individual high-powered offense.
“You stay five on five and play our way, pucks deep, playing physical. I thought our defense was much better than it had been the last two games.
“All in all, it was definitely a good team win, something that they needed.”
Lindenmuth says that with the postseason approaching, he and his teammates are focusing on what is to come.
“We’re definitely dialed in,” he said, “focusing on the path ahead, realizing it’s important to win these games, but not just game.
“Every period, every shift, every point, every goal, everything matters.”
Ice chips: The final order of finish in the National Division; Pennridge and Council Rock South are assured of the top two spots, the final order will be determined next week.
The next four spots will belong to Central Bucks South, Central Bucks East, North Penn, and Souderton in that order.
C.B. South 2 1 3—6
C.B. East 0 11—2
First-period goals: Ryan Frey (CBS) from DJ. Lindenmuth, 5:49; Grant Boyne (CBS) from Peter Herring, 11:34
Second-period goals: Corey Kosick (CBE) from Ethan Cenci and David Brown, 4:42; Lindenmuth (CBS) unassisted, 14:22
Third-period goals: Jaden Young (CBE) from Drew Trask and Gavin Widmer, 4:42; Sean Cutter (CBS) from Lindenmuth, 5:49; Jeff Kvectcher (CBS) from Logan Hood and Keith Waldron, 6:48; Joey Slobodrian (CBS) from Lindenmuth, 8:21
Shots: C.B. South 45, C.B. East 21; Saves: Nate Napolitano (CBS) 19, Cole Breen (CBE) 39
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