St. Joseph’s Prep 5 Holy Ghost Prep 1

BRISTOL—St. Joseph’s Prep arrived at Grundy Arena Monday afternoon eager to get on the ice. Because of Covid-cancellations, the Hawks hadn’t played a game December 21. Upon their arrival, they spent 51 minutes of pent up energy.

The result was a 5-1 Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference win over host Holy Ghost Prep. The win was the first for the Hawks (4-4-1 overall, 1-1-0-2 in the APAC) in four conference starts and an ideal start to the six-week stretch that serves as a prelude to the Founders Cup playoffs and the Flyers Cup tournament.

“I think this is really going to set the tone for the rest of our year,” said sophomore Joey Samango.

Samango scored two goals for the Hawks and assisted on two others, giving him seven goals and two assists in conference play.

Junior Jeffrey Hammond contributed a goal and two assists. “We knew what we had to do,” he said. “Last time we played Ghost (a 5-4 overtime loss on November 12) we were winning 4-1 and then we let up with penalties. We came in knowing what we had to do.

Freshman Jake Schultz scored the game’s first goal 9:26 into the first period. Samango made it a 2-0 game at the 12:59 mark.

Nick Storti made it a 3-0 game to finish off a play that Hammond started 63 seconds into the second session.

Jake Schultz starts the scoring

At that point, Holy Ghost Prep coach Gup Whiteside made a goaltender change, inserting Colin Mudrick for starter Jason Soule (Soule returned for the third period).

Sean Marshall answered for Holy Ghost Prep (9-6, 1-3-1-0 in conference) just 26 seconds later but Hammond extended the Hawks’ lead with 1:44 left in the period.

Samango added his second goal of the game 11:22 into the third period.

Dante Passio (33 in red) wins a battle in the corner

Hammond is pleased with how this year’s edition of the Hawks has evolved through the first half of the season.

“Everyone knows their role,” he said, “and when everyone knows their role, and when everyone plays their role, we win a game. In a 5-1 win, everyone played their role.

St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin says his team is a more focused group than the team that struggled much of last year.

“This senior class, that’s all they talked about,” he said, “saying ‘We’re a good enough team to compete with everybody, but we’ve got to be ready every game and not just show up.

“So, having a full lineup definitely helps but also having the attitude that you want to be there and you want to compete hard.”

Jason Soule makes a save in the Firebirds’ net

St. Joseph’s Prep 2 2 1—5

Holy Ghost Prep 0 1 0—1

First-period goals: Jacob Schultz (SJP) from Michael Ahearn. 9:26; Joey Samango (SJP) from Dante Passio and Jeffrey Hammond, 12:59

Second-period goals: Nick Storti (SJP) from Liam Mooney, 1:03: Sean Marshall (HGP) from Ciaran Chambers, 1:29; Hammond (SJP) from Mooney and Samango, 15:16

Third-period goals: Samango (SJP) from Hammond and Storti, 11:22

Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 32, Holy Ghost Prep 30; Saves: Rocco Bruno (SJP) 29, Jason Soule (HGP) 23 and Colin Mudrick (HGP) 4

For more about St. Joseph’s Prep Click Here

For more about Holy Ghost Prep Click Here

Video provided by Nur B. Adam

APAC Standings 1-9-22

W L OTW OTL Pts

Malvern Prep (8-2) 4 0 0 0 12

Hun School (5-5) 1 2 1 0 5

St. Joseph’s Prep (4-4-1) 1 1 0 2 5

Holy Ghost Prep (9-6) 1 3 1 0 5

La Salle (4-4) 1 2 0 0 3

Teams receive three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime win, and one point for an overtime loss.

This Week

Monday: St. Joseph’s Prep 5 Holy Ghost Prep 1

Wednesday: Malvern Prep 7, Father Judge 3

Hun School at Wyoming Seminary Postponed

Thursday: La Salle 2 Seton Hall Prep 1

Scoring GP G A Pts. Ave.

Matt Harris (MP) 4 4 6 10 2.50

Jeremy Jacobs (MP) 4 4 5 9 2.25

Jim Jacobs (MP) 4 4 3 7 1.75

Joseph Samago (SJP) 3 5 0 5 1.67

Brady Baehser (HGP) 3 2 3 5 1.67

Sean Marshall 3 2 2 4 1.33

Pierre Larocque (MP) 4 3 2 5 1.25

Josh Ovellette (HS) 4 1 3 4 1.00

Elian Estulin (HS) 4 2 2 4 1.00

John Seravalli (HGP 3 0 3 3 1.00

Conference games only. Shootout goals not included

SHSHL Update for 1-9-22

National/Continental-Class AA W L T OTL Pts

Pennridge (8-0) 4 0 0 0 8

Souderton (5-4) 3 3 0 0 6

Council Rock South (6-1-1) 4 1 0 0 8

Neshaminy (5-1-1) 2 1 0 0 4

Central Bucks East (3-5) 2 2 0 0 4

Bensalem (3-3) 1 1 0 0 2

Central Bucks South (2-5-1) 2 2 0 0 2

Pennsbury (3-2-1) 1 1 0 0 2

Council Rock North (3-4) 2 3 0 0 4

Central Bucks West (3-4) 0 3 0 0 0

North Penn (1-7) 0 4 0 0 0

American Division-Class A W L T OTL Pts

Abington (5-1) 4 0 0 0 8

Wissahickon (4-4) 4 1 0 0 8

Quakertown (4-5) 4 3 0 0 8

Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-0) 3 0 0 0 6

Upper Dublin (3-5) 2 3 0 0 4

Hatboro-Horsham (1-6) 0 5 0 0 0

William Tennent (0-8) 0 5 0 0 5

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Scoring

Class AA G A Pts

Karson Grainey (CRN) 13 7 20

Shane Siegmund (PB) 9 10 19

Kevin Pico (Pr) 11 5 16

Max Gallagher (Nesh) 8 7 15

Nick Hahn (CRN) 6 9 15

Alex Hood (Bens) 9 5 14

Julian Sarne (CRS) 10 3 13

Kevin Koles (CRS) 6 7 13

Jackson Accardi (CRN) 8 4 12

Seth Grossman (Soud) 7 5 12

Class A G A Pts

Matt Kramer (Ab 14 8 22

Will Hussa (Wiss) 11 10 21

Jack Bocul (UD) 14 5 19

Joe Stelacio (Ab) 8 11 19

A.J. Pounds (Wiss) 10 8 18

Danny Hussa (Wiss) 15 3 18

Matt Cholaj (Ab) 8 9 17

Aidan Keogh (PW) 7 9 16

Nick Hussa (Wiss) 5 11 16

Anthony Pagliei (Q-town 7 8 15

Holy Ghost Prep vs. North Allegheny

Click HERE for a link to tonight’s game between North Allegheny and Holy Ghost Prep.

Final North Allegheny 4 Holy Ghost Prep 3—North Allegheny scores the winning goal with 38 seconds left in regulation.

End second period Holy Ghost Prep 2 North Allegheny 1

End first period: Holy Ghost Prep 0 North Allegheny 0

Snow falling through the period making for a slow-paced game. North Allegheny had the puck in the offensive zone much of the period.

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Quakertown 8, William Tennent 5

WARWICK—A new hockey program does not achieve maturity overnight. The process takes time and there are likely to be growing pains along the way. Quakertown is in its third season now in the SHSHL and progress the Panthers have made is readily apparent.

Melanie Pezzano and Anthony Pagliei scored two goals each as Quakertown built leads of 6-0 and 7-2 before going on to an 8-5 win over William Tennent Wednesday night at Revolution Ice Gardens.

The win lifts Quakertown to 4-3 in the SHSHL’s American Division and 4-5 overall.

Head coach Keith Krem took a moment to reflect on the progress has team has made over the course of its existence.

“We’re a much better balanced team than we have been in years past,” he said, “and playing a little bit better away from the puck, which has helped tremendously.”

Pezzano, a senior who skated at left wing on her team’s top line, has played a significant role in her team’s evolution.

“I think we got a good foundation from the last couple years,” she said. “I know we weren’t the best, but we really put in the work this summer and at the beginning of the year. I think we’re a really good group, where we are right now.”

Quakertown got off to a fast start. Brandon McNally and Anthony Pagliei scored goals to put their side up 2-0 8:55 into the opening period. William Shaw and Pezzano added goals in the second frame before Lucas Cunnane and Pezzano extended Quakertown’s lead in the third.

Frank Rosenberry got William Tennent (0-8, 0-5) on the board with back-to-back goals to make it a 6-2 game at the 7:15 mark of the final period.

At that point, the floodgates opened. A total of nine goals were scored in the third period, five of them over the last 9:45 of regulation.

Tennent coach Vince Rosica lamented his team’s sluggish start.

“It’s hard to win hockey games with 11 skaters, he said, “and it’s a lot harder to win hockey games when you only play 10 minutes of the game.

“I’ll always give my players credit for stepping on the ice very week knowing they’re half the roster size of (many of their opponents) but at the end of the day we need to find ways to compete all three periods. From the coaches to the players, all of us have to find ways to do so.”

Pezzano had a pair of assists to go with her two goals. McNally also had a four-point night. Andrew Metz scored two of Tennent’s goals.

Quakertown 2 2 4—8

William Tennent 0 0 5—5

First-period goals: Brandon McNally (Q) from William Shaw and Melanie Pezzano, 3:06; Anthony Pagliei (Q) from McNally and Pezzano, 8:55 (pp);

Second-period goals: Shaw (Q) unassisted, 2:45; Pezzano (Q) from McNally and Shaw

Third-period goals: Lucas Cunnane (Q) from Connor Elmore and Randy Rhodomoyer, 4:01; Pezzano (Q) from Elmore 5:00; Frank Rosenberry (WT) unassisted, 5:26; Rosenberry (WT) from Nate Silverman and Tre Dyer, 7:15 (pp); Jack Dilberto (Q) from McNally, 9:00 (sh); Andrew Metz (WT) from Silverman and Gavin Loughlin, 13:03 (sh); Metz (WT) from Loughlin, 14:05; Pagliei (Q) unassisted, 14:19 (pp); Quinn Morena (WT) from Brennan Corcoran, 15:18

Shots: Quakertown 43, William Tennent 29; Saves: Matt Krem (Q) 24. Thomas Lomas (WT) 35

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Shady Side Academy 5 Holy Ghost Prep 1

Shady Side Academy defeated Holy Ghost Prep 5-1 Wednesday evening. The Firebirds will play North Allegeny in a an outdoor game Thursday night.

Rosica Keeping the Fires Burning at William Tennent

Hockey has a long history at William Tennent High. The Panthers first joined the Suburban High School Hockey League for the 1975-76 season and won the SHSHL title the next year. An additional title followed in 1979 before Tennent joined the short-lived Northern Scholastic Hockey League for the 1985-86 campaign

Two years later the Panthers won the Class AA state title while skating under the NSHL banner; the following year they claimed the Class AAA Flyers Cup. They rejoined the SHSHL for the 1989-90 season and lost to Council Rock in the championship series before going on to win the league championship in 1992 and the Class AA crown in 2006.

Tennent has endured some lean years of late but first-year head coach Vince Rosica appreciates his players’ enthusiasm. Rosica skated for the Panthers himself; as a senior, he played for long-time head coach Nick D’Aurizio. He served as an assistant coach last year before taking over the program this fall when D’Aurizio retired after 11 seasons behind the bench.

“Nick just wanted somebody to take over the program who obviously was part of the organization,” Rosica said, “had played for him, and I think most importantly really cared.”
This year’s version of the Panthers is dealing with a lack of numbers; the roster includes just 12 skaters and two goaltenders. Even in the SHSHL’s American (Class A Division) that leaves the team shorthanded. Heading into this week, Tennent is winless in seven starts; they’re scheduled to face Quakertown on Wednesday.

From the start, Rosica’s focus has been on improvement and player development.

“I told the kids from the beginning ’Look, we’re not going to be the best team this year, but all I want is for you guys to improve and develop, and work hard,’” he said. “That’s the most important thing. I don’t care if we lose by three goals, if we lose by 10 (as Tennent did, to Abington, in its last pre-holiday start). As long as the guys are working, showing me that they’re listening to me, that they’re giving me the effort, that’s all I can ask for. If that comes along with wins, so be it.

“As long as they know that, that’s our mentality. We come in with a game plan with the numbers we have.”

Rosica says the veterans on the roster have been positive role models.

“At any level it’s important for your older guys to maintain a sense of composure and not go off the rails when you’re losing every game,” he said, “It’s important.

“I think (defenseman) Gavin Loughlin is a good example. He stays composed. He wants to win but he’ll get a little too eager sometimes and get frustrated by the score but I think he does a very good job.”
Tom Lomas (the Panthers’ veteran goaltender) is very quiet and reserved as it is, so, he’s always calm but I think for the most part our seniors do very well with that. I think they’re starting to understand the position that we’re in with the amount of numbers that we have that it’s going to be a battle and that we’ve all got to stick together, which is the most important thing.”

Flyers Cup Update

A total of 61 teams will seek berths in the 43^rd edition of the Flyers Cup tournament. Selections will be announced on Sunday, February 27 and the tournament will begin eight days later on Monday, March 7.
The Flyers Cup Committee will determine tournament qualifiers and seedings; there is no predetermined number of qualifiers.

The line of demarcation between Class A and Class AA is 625 male students.

Class AAA (7)

Cardinal O’Hara

Father Judge

Holy Ghost Prep

La Salle

Malvern Prep

Roman Catholic

St. Joseph’s Prep

Class AA (23)
Abington

Avon Grove

Bensalem

Boyertown

Central Bucks East

Central Bucks South

Central Bucks West

Conestoga

Council Rock South

Cumberland Valley

Downingtown East

Downingtown West

Haverford

Neshaminy

North Penn

O.J. Roberts

Pennridge

Pennsbury

Quakertown

Ridley

Souderton

Spring Ford
William Tennent

Class A (17)

Council Rock North

Garnet Valley
Hatboro-Horsham

Hershey

Lower Dauphin

Palmyra

Penncrest

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Radnor

Springfield-Delco

Strath Haven

Unionville

Upper Dublin

West Chester Bayard Rustin

West Chester East

West Chester Henderson

Wissahickon

New Jersey/Delaware (6)

Cherokee

Eastern

Kingsway

Moorsetown

Salesianum

Shawnee

Girls (8)

Avon Grove

Conestoga

Downingtown West

Kingsway
Pennridge

Radnor

Unionville

West Chester Henderon

Holy Ghost Prep Headed West

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.”

CLICK HERE for more about Holy Ghost Prep

O’Neill Reflects on His Time at St. Joseph’s Prep

Shane O’Neill

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.”

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.”

For more about St. Joseph’s Prep CLICK HERE