Category: Hockey News

Delbarton 4, La Salle 3 OT

A goal with 41 seconds left in overtime gave Delbarton, N.J. High a 4-3 won over the Explorers on Monday at Hatfield Ice Arena. The Explorers (0-3) scored twice in the third period to force overtime.

Thomas Doucet, Dan Whittock, and Max Maddalo all scored for La Salle (0-3). Aries Carangi stopped 39 shots

Delbarton 2 0 1 1—4

La Salle 0 1 2 0—3

First-period goals: Facone (D) from Kerezniak and Pendy, 13:07 (pp); Rodriguez (D) from Berezniak, 15:53

Second-period goal: Thomas Doucet (L) from Dan Whittock, 12:16 (pp)

Third-period goals: Facone (D) from Pendy, 1:02 (pp); Whittock (L) from Kenan Schneider, 2:48 (sh); Max Maddalo (L) from Whittock and Schneider, 15:50;

Overtime goal: Stewart (D) unassisted, 4:19

Shots: Dalberton 43, La Salle 30; Saves: Cai (D) 27, Aries Carangi (L) 39

Friars, Firebirds to Meet at Wells Fargo Center

The opportunity to take the ice at the Wells Fargo Center is obviously a special occasion for a high-school hockey player. Holy Ghost Prep and Malvern Prep will have that opportunity Wednesday night in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference encounter. Game time is 7:00.

The two teams met at the Wells Fargo Center in January of 2019 with the Friars prevailing 3-2 in overtime.

Malvern Prep senior defenseman Quinn Dougherty was a freshman on that team. To his recollection, there was just one other freshman in a Friars uniform on that occasion.

“I’d never had the chance to play there for a club team,” he said. “I think the last time I played there was Mites on Ice. Honestly, it was really electric. The atmosphere was amazing. All the people that came out to support us. Just walking through the halls down there, it makes you feel special, like you’re playing a really big game.”

Holy Ghost Prep senior and captain Shawn Marshall was also in the lineup that night. 

“I was the only freshman on the team when we went to the Wells Fargo Center,” he said. “It was a great experience.

“We wound up losing that game so we want a little redemption this time. Playing at the Wells Fargo Center is a special thing. I’m glad I get to be a part of it and I’m glad our team gets to be a part of it.”

Dougherty has a devised a strategy for dealing with the emotions of the moment.

“I think that kind of starts in warmups,” he said. “Right in the warmups, when I hop on the ice, I try to get acclimated to what’s going on. I take a breath, try and calm myself down, and then when we huddle around the net, I try and calm everyone else down because I know their nerves are probably going a mile a minute.

“I think it takes a little while for us to get settled in especially after the first shift, but you kind of block out the outside and, you just focus on the game and the team.”

Holy Ghost Prep 5, St. Joseph’s Prep 4 OT

Standing on the edge of the abyss, Holy Ghost Prep refused to yield. The Firebirds scored the last three goals of the evening to overcome a 4-2 second-period deficit and record a 5-4 overtime win over St. Joseph’s Prep in an APAC contest at the Skatium that was a splendid advertisement for high-school hockey.

Brady Baehser scored the  game winner with 1:21 remaining in the three-on-three overtime, his second goal of the game.

The win was the third straight for Holy Ghost Prep (2-0 in the APAC).  Joey Samango scored twice for the Hawks (2-1 against high-school competition), who were opening their conference schedule 

Midway through the second period, things were going pretty much the Hawks’ way. With the game tied 1-1, Dante Passio, Joey Samango, and Christian Short scored goals inn a span of 5 minutes, 21 seconds to put the hosts up 4-1 with 6:47 left in the period, prompting Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside to use his timeout.

Colin Moore’s  power-play goal with 2:20 left brought Holy Ghost Prep a bit closer but the Firebirds still started the third period two goals down, albeit in full possession of their resolve.

“We don’t get down on each other,” Baehser said. “We stay together, stay positive, talk about what we need to do, and get the job done.”

Baehser delivered a power-play goal 2:52 into the third period to make it a one-goal game. For the rest of the third period the two goaltenders, St. Joseph’s Prep’s Rocco Bruno and Holy  Ghost Prep’s Colin Mudrick, took turns making quality saves.

Bruno yielded just once more, when Zach Pers tied the game with 1:53 remaining in regulation.

Baehser’s overtime effort was a memorable conclusion to the evening.

“I’m really proud of our boys,” Whiteside said. “I told them at the beginning of the season I was going to ask two things from them, that they work hard, have a good work ethic, and I want you to be a good teammate.

“I think you saw that in the third period and overtime. We stuck together. I think we really settled our game down, once we called that timeout. We chased the game a little bit, which you never want to do, but I was really proud of the effort and proud of our senior leadership.”

Holy Ghost Prep 1 1 2 1—5

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 3 0 0—4

First-period goals: Landon Stout (HGP) from Kieran Mulholland and Shaun Moore, 6:27 (pp); Joey Samango (SJP) from Quinn Egan, 13:36

Second-period goals: Dante Passio (SJP) from Nick Storti, 4:52 (pp); Samango (SJP) from Luca Palachick and Egan, 6:03; Christian Short (SJP) unassisted, 10:13 Colin Moore (HGP) from John Seravalli and Luke Penepresso, 14:40 (pp);

Third-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) from Seravalli and Moore, 2:52 (pp); Zach Pers (HGP) from Stout and Mulholland, 15:07.

Overtime goal: Baehser (HGP) from Marshall,  3:39

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 25, St. Joseph’s Prep 25; Saves: Colin Mudrick (HGP) 21, Rocco Bruno (SJP) 20

Joey Samango scores the game’s first goal.

Video courtesy of Jost Winata

Council Rock South 5, Central Bucks South 3

Council Rock South stepped up at a key moment Thursday night. The result was a 5-3 win over Central Bucks South in a SHSHL Class AA game at Hatfield Ice Arena.

Gavin Nisenzon provided two goals and an assist and Kevin Koles also scored two goals to help his team to its second straight win.

But it was the Golden Hawks’ effort in the third period that made the difference.

The game featured two distinct segments. For two periods and change the teams battled on essentially even terms to a 2-2 standoff. 

Nisenzon and Julian Sarne registered goals for the Golden Hawks while D.J. Bray and Matt Crouch found the back of the net for the Titans.

 But 3:45 into the third period, emotions boiled over in the form of a fight that resulted in four players being accessed a total of 51 penalty minutes. Three players, the Golden Hawks’ Matt Constantini and Kyle Boss and the Titans’ Bray received game misconducts and the contest was delayed approximately 20 minutes while student spectators were removed from the building.

Following the delay the Titans had a five-minute power play but couldn’t do anything with it. They then found themselves shorthanded at the 11:19 mark when Crouch was called for two penalties during the same sequence, a slash and a trip.

Koles put the Golden Hawks in front just 24 seconds later on a shot from the right circle that beat Titan goaltender Dominic Varacallo and Nisenzon gave his team a 4-2 lead with his second goal of the night with 2:57 left in regulation.

Aidan Linso made it a one-goal game when he scored for the Titans with 1:46 still left but Koles scored into an empty net with five seconds remaining.

Council Rock South assistant coach Colin Murphy credited his team for maintaining their momentum after the delay, when the emotional energy in the building all but evaporated.

“The incident definitely charged us up a little bit more,” Murphy said. “I think losing their fans kind of killed their momentum and they lost the upper hand.”

Murphy noted the Golden Hawks were able to regroup despite losing two key players. “I know with our guys, their big thing was the ‘next man up’ mentality,” he said. They realized that we lost two guys and figured they needed to step up and keep their composure.”

Titans assistant coach Tyler Skroski pointed to his team’s failure to convert on its four power-play chances. “We did some good things tonight,” he said, “but when you fail to generate scoring opportunities on power plays, especially a five-minute major, you’re going to struggle to win games.

“It’s early in the season and we’re looking forward to fixing it as a team.”

C.R. South 1 1 3—5

C.B. South 2 0 1—3

First-period goals: Gavin Nisenzon (CRS) unassisted, 7:38; D.J. Bray (CBS) from Dan Kvechner, 9:11; Matt Crouch (CBS) from D.J. Lidenmuth and Aidan Gaffney, 15:06

Second-period goal: Julian Sarne (CRS) from David Vergules, 3:20 (pp)

Third-period goals: Kevin Koles (CRS) From Nisenzon and Sarne, 1:43 (pp); Nisenzon (CRS) from Sarne, 14:03; Aidan Linso (CBS) unassisted, 15:14 (sh); Koles (CRS) from Chase Trovsky, 16:55 (pp), (en)

Shots: Council Rock South 28, Central Bucks South 26; Saves: Carson Lopez (CRS) 23, Dominic Varacallo (CBS) 23

Holy Ghost Prep 3, La Salle 1

A fast start proved decisive for Holy Ghost Prep Wednesday afternoon. The Firebirds scored twice before the game was six minutes old and went on to  a 3-1 win over La Salle in an APAC encounter at Hatfield Ice Arena.

Landon Stout beat La Salle netminder Will Braun just 41 seconds after the opening faceoff off a dash down the right wing, and Sean Marshall added a power-play goal at the 5:32 mark as Holy Ghost Prep won its second straight start and its conference opener.

Coach Gump Whiteside appreciated his team’s energy level, particularly in the first period.

“I thought we came out with a good start,” he said. “Any time you play La Salle, you’ve got to be on your toes.”

La Salle (0-2 overall and in the APAC) cut the deficit in half when Matthew Conforti scored just 12 seconds into the middle period. It was the Explorers first goal of the season and seemed to give them an energy boost; La Salle outshot the Firebirds 22-12 over the finals 34 minutes, but couldn’t pocket another goal, thanks in large part to the work of Firebird  goaltender Jason Soule. The senior and first-year starter finished with 34 saves.

“Jay was huge for us,” Whiteside said. “ He’s playing really well and the kids really rally around him.”

Marshall finished the scoring with an empty-net goal with 15 seconds remaining in the final period. “We said in the the locker room before the game ‘We’ve got to come out strong,’” he said. “It’s a great team on the other side. I knew we had to come out strong, and we did. We  put it too them in the first couple minutes and scored two quick. 

“We lost our momentum a little bit but we got it back. We battled in the third period and never gave up.”

Despite the final result, La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner took an abundance of positives away from the encounter.

“I thought it was a good game,” he said. “After we gave up two, we settled in pretty well.

“I think Will played a great game after he settled down a little bit, and our second and third period, I thought we played really well.

“We’ve got to find a way to start scoring some goals.”

Marshall noted the game was the latest in a long strong of close encounters between the Firebirds and the Explorers. “Both teams are good every year,” he said, “A lot of people on both teams are seniors. When they graduate, new people come in. They battle every game.”

Prior to the opening face-off, the Holy Ghost Prep players presented their counterparts at La Salle a memorial puck in honor of La Salle student-athlete Blake Barklage.

Holy Ghost Prep 2 0 1—3

La Salle 0 1 0—1

First-period goals: Landon Stout (HGP) from Shaun Moore, :41; Sean Marshall (HGP) from Brady Baehser, 5:32 (pp)

Second-period goal: Matthew Conforti (L) from Patrick Brace, :12

Third—period goal: Marshall (HGP) from Baehser, 16:45 (en)

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 25, La Salle 35; Saves: Jason Soule (HGP) 34, Will Braun (L) 22

La Salle and Holy Ghost Prep begin Wednesday’s third period

La Salle Hockey Captain Salutes a Friend

This past Friday, the La Salle Explorers opened their hockey season against Malvern Prep some 24 hours after the funeral for Blake Barklage, a senior at La Salle who passed away on the evening of October 30 following a sudden cardiac episode. Barklage was a student manager for the La Salle soccer team and was also a tennis player.

Danny Whittock is one of the captains of La Salle’s hockey. He is also part of the Class of 2022 and was a close friend of Blake Barklage.

Whittock was gracious to share with us about how the La Salle community came together in the wake of the tragedy. We spoke with him following Friday’s game.

SHSHL Previews

The Suburban High School Hockey League is celebrating the start of its 49th. season.

Here’s a look at what to expect..

National Conference

Bensalem

Last year: No varsity team

Coach: Jordan Roth (first Season)

Key Players: So. Ricky Gonzalez (G), So. Alex Hood (F); Fr. Aliaksandr Bazylevich (F-D); Fr. Cole Saladya (F-D)

Outlook: It’s been going on two decades since Bensalem last fielded a varsity hockey team. The core of this year’s squad won squad won a middle-school championship last season. Consequently, it will be one of the youngest teams in the SHSHL but Roth, a teacher in the district, is optimistic.

“Purpose, poise, and passion in the classroom and on the ice will dictate how we perform as a new program,” he said, “and grow the hockey culture in the Bensalem community.”

Central Bucks East

Coach: Jeff Mitchell (second season)

Last year: 6-5-1-1

Key players: Jr. Matt Mangiacapre (G); Sr. Tyler Godown (F); Sr. Phil McIntyre (F); Jr. Steven DiRugeris (F); Jr. Bogdan Borodenko (F);

Outlook: The Patriots will field a blend of youth and experience this season. Mangiacapre in goal and Godown up front will provide veteran leadership.

Central Bucks South

Coach: Shaun McGinty (eighth season)

Last year: 8-6-1

Key players: Jr. Jake Stepp (D); Jr. Matt Crouch (D); Sr. Daniel Kvecher (F) Sr. Aidan Gaffney (F); Jr. Aydin Thierolf 

 (F). So. Colin Mendham (F); So. D.J. Lindenmuth (F)

Outlook: The Titans will be young in places this season but there is also some experience on hand. If past history is any indication, the veterans on the roster will set the tone for the newcomers with their work ethic and focus and the Titans will be as dangerous as ever.

Central Bucks West

Coach: Dave Baun (18th season)

Last year: 0-10

Key players: Sr. Evan Hee (D); Sr. Reese Dalzell (D); Sr. Grant Funseth (D); Sr. Billy Loughnane (F); Sr. Joey McFadden (F); So. Nick Bruno (F); So. Liam Rogers (G).

Outlook: The Bucks didn’t win a game last year. But Baun sees a promising season ahead.

“We really like this group,” he said. “We are young but talented. Most importantly, we have two important ingredients for success: good senior leadership, and hard-working kids willing to learn. These, together with solid goaltending give you a chance to win in any league.”

Council Rock North

Coach: Greg McDonald (first season)

Last year: No varsity team

Key players: So. Nick Hahn (D); Sr. Wilton Pasch (F); So. Karson Grainey (F)

Outlook: The Indians return to varsity competition this season under McDonald, who has extensive coaching experience at the club level. His team that is extremely young. Pasch, the only senior on the 17-man roster and the team’s captain is being counted on as a playmaker. Hahn is a defenseman with offensive skills while Grainey’s quickness will be an asset at center ice.

Council Rock South

Coach: Joe Houk (16th season)

Last year: 9-5-0-2

Key Players: Sr. Carson Lopez (G); Sr. Kyle Boss (D) Sr. Julian Sarne (D); Sr. Sam Cherkassky (F); Sr. Julian Wagenmann (F);

Outlook: The Golden Hawks played for the SHSHL Class AA title last season and much of that team returns. If all the pieces fit together the stage is set for a very promising season.

Neshaminy 

Coach: Matt DeMatteo (fifth season)

Last year: 6-6-1

Key players: Sr. Brian Nelson (G); Jr. J.J. Hathaway (D); Jr. Nolan Geria (D); Jr. Mike Knipple (D); Jr. Noah Seewagen (F); Jr. Danny McColgan (F)

Outlook: After enduring the challenges associated with youth last season, Neshaminy approaches the 2021-22 season as a team dominated by juniors, juniors who earned a substantial amount of ice time a year ago.

“We will continue to build on the experience gained last year as a young team,” DeMatteo said, “and look to take another step forward this season. It will take a team game and contributions from our entire line-up to make a successful run this year.”

North Penn

Coach: Kevin Vaitis

Last year: 6-9-1-1

Key players: Sr. Nich Ebbinghaus (G); Jr. Nick Crist (G); Sr. Ben Mostochuk (D); Jr. Tyler Porubski (D); Sr. Justin Yothers (F; Jr. Nolan O’Toole (F); So. Joey Silvotti (F); So. John Stinson (F)

Outlook: The Knights lost nine players due to graduation and Vaitis will be looking for his younger players to step up and play key roles. The return of Ebbinghaus for his senior year in goal should help.

Pennsbury

Coach: Ryan Daley (fifth season)

Last year: 16-2-2

Key players: So. Aaron McDaniel (G); Sr. Reece Millman (D); Sr. Connor Coyne (D); Sr. Justin Marlin (D): Jr. Andrew Falkenstein (D); Sr. Shane Siegmund (F); Jr. Brendan MacAinsh (F) 

Outlook: The defending SHSHL Class AA champions return with a high-powered offense. But there is talent on blue line as well and in goal.

“The team is hungry to repeat as champions and make a deep run in the Flyers Cup,” Daley said. “The game plan hasn’t changed much from last year. We need to keep the pedal down and pick up where we left off.”

Pennridge

Coach: Jeff Montagna (fourth season)

Last year: 10-6
Key players: Sr. Ryan Pico (G); Sr. Aidan Boyle (D); Sr. Ryan Schuler (D); So. Colin Dachowski (D); Sr. Jack Lowery (F); Sr. Aeryk Learhaupt (F); Sr. Andrew David (F)

Outlook: The Rams lost just four players from a team that reached the Class 2A Flyers Cup semifinals a year ago.  There is an abundance of experience on the roster including Pico, one of the area’s premier netminders.

Souderton

Coach: Ryan Uchniat (fourth season)

Last year 2-8

Key players: Jr. Noah Connor (G); Sr. Carter Pozavan (D); So. Seth Grossman (F); Jr. Timothy Alexander (F)

Outlook:  A freshman-dominated team endured growing pains a year ago, but gained invaluable experience. The Big Red Is looking to take some steps forward this season.

We’d happy to help you promote your product or service here at Hockey Happenings. For details, contact us at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com

American Conference

Abington

Coach: Ken Brzozowski (fifth season)

Last year: 7-4

Key players: Sr. Ben Panella (G); Sr. Tommy Rourke (D); Sr. Joe Stelacio (F); Jr. Matt Kramer (F); Jr. Ian Heydt (F); Jr. Griffin Carpenter (F)

Outlook:  The Galloping Ghosts, who reached the SHSHL American Division title game last winter, will field an experienced lineup this season. Five seniors will play key roles.

“The team has been working hard in practices,” Brzozowski said, “and looks forward to translating that effort to winning results. I am extremely proud of the seniors and excited to continue our journey into another successful season.”

Hatboro-Horsham

Coach: Shane Smith (first season)

Last year: 4-5-1-1

Key players: Sr. Mason Rush (G); Sr. Jack Steinberg (D); So. James Cortez (D); Sr. Tarek Elsabbagh (F)

Outlook: Smith takes over for Gianni Lafratta behind the Hatters’ bench. He’ll have some experience to call on, notably Rush in goal and Elsabbagh up front.

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Coach: Matt Aiello (eighth season)

Last year: 7-5

Key players: Sr. Aidan Keogh (F); Sr. Luke Weikel (F); Sr. Kolton Galie (G); Jr. Matt Flynn (F); Jr. Conlan Carpenter (D);

Outlook: The Colonials have expectations this season, in no small measure because their two leading scorers from last year return in Weikel and Keogh. Galie is experienced in goal.

Quakertown

Coach: Keith Krem (third season)

Last year: 1-10-0-1

Key players:  So. Matthew Krem (G); Jr. Will Shaw (D); Sr. Anthony Pagliei (F); Jr. Jack Diliberto (F); Sr. Melanie Pezzano (F); Fr. Branden McNally (F); Fr. Corbin Cassel (F)

Outlook: The Panthers embark on their third SHSHL season with a roster that blends youth and experience. Krem is pleased with the leadership being shown by his upperclassmen.

“This is our most complete and balanced team yet,” he said.

Upper Dublin

Coach: Anthony Richichi (sixth season in second stint as coach)

Last year: 12-4 as an independent team

Key players: Sr. Emmett Kepniss (G); Sr. Sr. Andrew Kearney (D); Sr. Max Frearson (D); Jr. Aiden McCarthy (D); Louis Gamburg (F); Jr. Jack Boucl (F); So. Will Hurlburt (F)

Outlook: The Flying Cardinals are back in the SHSHL after a two-year hiatus due to a roster issue; they were lacking a goaltender who attended Upper Dublin High. Kepniss, a newcomer to organized hockey, has stepped up to fill that role.

Gamburg, Kearney, and Frearson will provide senior leadership.

“We are thrilled to have the chance to compete,” Richichi said, “with the goal of making playoffs and, hopefully, a Flyers Cup berth.”

William Tennent

Coach:  Vincent Rosica (first season)

Last year: 4-5-1-1

Key players: Sr. Tom Lomas (G); Sr. Gavin Loughlin (D); Sr. Matt Castan (F)

Outlook: Rosica moves behind the Panther bench to take over for longtime SHSHL fixture Nick D’Aurizio. There will be some graduation losses to overcome; all three of last year’s captains are gone, but Lomas returns in goal.

Wissahickon

Coach: Ken Harrington (seventh season)

Last year: 12-2

Key players: Sr. Michael Bonnani; Sr. Ty Schiff (D); Jr. Griffin Lynch (F-D); Sr. Nick Hussa (F); Jr. Will Hussa (F); Sr. A.J. Pounds (F);

Outlook: the Trojans will be attempting to defend the SHSHL American Division (Class A) title, and despite having to deal with some graduation losses, they have the firepower to do so. Will and Nick Hussa are proven scorers and Schiff will provide experience on the blue line.

Malvern Prep Wins APAC Opener 2-0 Over La Salle

There was an abundance of raw competitive energy on display when Malvern Prep and La Salle took the ice Friday evening. Just not a lot of goals.

Pierre Larocque scored off a neutral-zone faceoff and a La Salle turnover with 5:55 remaining in regulation and Matt Harris added a goal into an empty net in the waning seconds to give the Friars a 2-0 win at Hatfield Ice Arena in the opening game of the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference campaign.

Friday’s game was a rematch off the Friars’ overtime win in the Class 3A Flyers Cup final last April and although some names and faces had changed, the two teams seemingly picked up where they left off.

“We knew La Salle was going to be tough,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan. “We picked up right where we left off last year in a tough battle.

“We got returning guys, they’ve got returning guys, we knew it would be a tough game and we were up for the challenge.”

Friday’s game soon became a goaltending duel with the Friars’ Anthony Perti and the Explorers’ Aries Carangi squaring off at opposite ends of the ice. Between them, the pair stopped 65 shots.

“You don’t see (a goaltending duel) a lot,” Perti said, “but my guys savored this game, we knew it was going to be a tough game; expectations were met.

“You’re going to get the bounce if you play the right way.”

Keenan, who saw his team improve to 2-1 overall, noted both goaltenders came up big when their best was needed. “Anthony has been great,” he said. “He was the MVP last year. He’s looked good so far this year, and a credit to La Salle’s goalie. We peppered him with shots and he came up big a lot.”

La Salle head coach Wally Muehlbronner noted that his team paid a high price for a mistake. “We turned it over and they capitalized like they certainly can,” he said “They’re a good team. But for a first game, I think it was probably good for both teams.”

Muehlbronner was asked what adjustments are required of players at the APAC level, whether they are new to the lineup entirely, or assuming new roles.

“They do play on good teams outside of La Salle so they do play at a pretty good pace,” he said. “The physical side shift to shift could be a little different, so I think that’s going to be an adjustment they’re going to have to get used to, but all in all, I think the young guys did a pretty sound job.”

https://wordpress.com/support/wordpress-editor/blocks/video-block/

Malvern Prep (in blue) and La Salle open the APAC conference schedule

Malvern Prep 0 0 2—2

La Salle 0 0 0—0

Third-period goals: Pierre Larocque (MP) from Matt Harris, 11:05; Harris (MP) unassisted (empty net), 16:47

Shots Malvern Prep 32, La Salle 35: Saves: Anthony Perti (MP) 35, Aries Carangi (L) 30

To learn more about Malvern Prep CLICK HERE

To learn more about La Salle CLICK HERE

Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals Back in the SHSHL Nest

A common saying in hockey circles is ‘A goaltender is a team’s last line of defense.’  Emmett Kepniss took that mindset to a new level Thursday night.

Kepniss is Upper Dublin’s starting and only goalkeeper. It was his presence alone that allowed the Flying Cardinals to face Souderton in what was their first official SHSHL game since the 2018-19 season.

The Big Red prevailed 7-2 in the non-conference matchup, but in a way, Kepniss was the most important player on the ice.

For two seasons, Upper Dublin was barred from SHSHL play because they were considered impure; the club had to look outside the its student population to find a goaltender. This season, Kepniss answered the call.

The senior has an athletic background; he was a two-way lineman in football and is a midfielder in lacrosse. But, despite being a lifelong hockey fan, he had never been on skates until a few weeks ago when he was approached by some of his fellow seniors who were on the hockey team.

“They were trying to get someone in the school,” Kepniss said. “My girlfriend’s dad runs the club, He approached me, I talked to him further, and now I’m here.

Prior to Thursday’s game, Kepniss had several practices plus two scrimmages to get a sense of what playing in goal is all about. On game night, he experienced live fire.

“It’s a lot faster,” he said. “You have to be quicker on your feet. In practice, there’s a little more leeway because it’s your team. But (Thursday’s game) counts so you kind of have to play your best hockey and give it your all really.”

Which Kepniss did. He had some early jitters and allowed three goals in the first period on seven shots but gradually grew more comfortable and made several quality stops later in the game. He finished the evening with 23 saves.

“I told the guys I was going to get nervous a little bit,” he said. “It was the first game but …. The guys told me ‘Don’t worry about it.”

Upper Dublin coach Anthony Richichi praised Kepniss’s effort. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Emmett as our goalie,” he said. “he showed up, completely volunteered, and, with limited practice time, has worked really hard.
“Obviously, he’s hot some work to do but we as a team, we need to understand our roles in supporting him.

Liam O’ Neill and Nick Smith each scored twice for Souderton

Souderton 3 2 2—7

Upper Dublin 1 0 1—2

First-period goals: Liam O’ Neill (S) from Anthony Lanzilotti, 3:40; Jamie Avaria (S) unassisted, 7:01; Tim Alexander (S) unassisted, 9:33; Kevin McGinley (UD) from Gus Plat, 11:20

Second-period goals: O’Neill (S) unassisted, 5:58; Nick Smith (S) from Evan Thacker, 14:54 (pp)

Third-period goals:  Alexander (S) unassisted, :25; Marco Morina (UD) from Louis Gamburg and Jonah Fisher, 3:40; Smith (S) 13:28.

Shots: Souderton 30, Upper Dublin 33; Saves: Liam Kelly (S) 31, Emmett Kepniss (UD) 23

https://wordpress.com/support/wordpress-editor/blocks/video-block/

Opening Night for Upper Dublin and Souderton