Category: Hockey News

Council Rock South 3 Central Bucks West 0

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 Bringing New Life to Council Rock North

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.”

Malvern Prep 7 Hun School 2

WEST GOSHEN—The rest of the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is looking up at Malvern Prep. The Friars are a perfect 4-0 in conference play after a 7-2 win over The Hun School Wednesday evening at Ice Line and have defeated each of their conference opponents once.

Wednesday’s win wasn’t an easy one, at least not at first. The teams traded goals twice in an opening period that ended in a 2-2 deadlock. The hosts went on to score five goals over the last two periods.

Jimmy Jacobs and Matt Harris contributed two goals each Jacobs added three assists and Harris two.

Pierre Larocque, Quinn Dougherty, and Jeremy Jacobs also scored goals as Malvern Prep advanced to 7-2 overall.

“We came out a little slow,” Jimmy Jacobs said, “but once we got the first one, we started clicking. I think overall our speed was able to beat their physicality.

Jimmy Jacobs scores a second-period goal

“I think we just used our speed to win some of the puck battles and also had to step up and be more physical.”

Pierre Larocque and Quinn Dougherty scored first-period goals for Malvern Prep while Josh Ovelette and Mark Gall countered for the Raiders,

Jimmy Jacobs put his team in front for good 2:17 into the middle period. Harris extended his team’s lead with 33 seconds left in the session.

The outcome was still in doubt entering the third frame but when Jacobs scored his second goal just 53 seconds in, the Raiders (5-5 overall, 1-2-1-0 in the APAC) seemingly had depleted their energy reserves.

Matt Harris scores on a tip-in

It was Malvern Prep’s second game in 24 hours; the Friars dropped a Mid-Atlantic Prep League game to Lawrenceville 5-4 on Tuesday after holding a 4-1 lead.

Raider head coach Ian McNally said his team had an off day all around. “We just didn’t have it,” he said. “We never had it for a second. We had a pretty devastating loss yesterday and you could tell it took its toll. 

“As soon as we got down one or two it was pretty hard to motivate to try to claw back a little bit.”

The Raiders are now off until after the holidays. McNally it was important for his players to prove themselves to each other over the first half of the season. 

‘We’re in a good spot,” he said. “I wish we had won more than we have but I think the important part of the first half is kind of prove to each other and give yourself confidence like ‘Hey, if we can do this, we can actually win a bunch of games here.’”

Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenen is pleased to be at the top of the standings at the holiday break but knows his team his still evolving.

“You can’t expect anything better from our team,” he said, “going 4-0 in the APAC early. But hey, it’s a long season and we know that going into the second half it’s a completely different game. Teams get refocused and over the break and they get ready for playoffs and the Flyers Cup.

“So, our message is we’ve got to stay dialed in, we’ve still got the task at hand, and we’ve got to execute.”

Hun School 2 0 0—2

Malvern Prep 2 2 3—7

First-period goals: Pierre Larocque (MP) unassisted, 4:34; Josh Ovelette (HS) from Seth Kaplan, 8:15; Quinn Dougherty (MP) from Jeremy Jacobs and Jimmy Jacobs, 10:06 (pp); Mark Gall (HS) unassisted, 14:39

Second-period goals: Jimmy Jacobs (MP) from Jeremy  Jacobs, 2:17; Matt Harris (MP) from  Aidan Kelly, 16:27

Third-period goals: Jimmy Jacobs (MP) from Harris, :53; Harris (MP) from Jimmy Jacobs, 5:36 (pp); Jeremy Jacobs (MP) from Harris,  12:03 (sh)

Shots: Hun School 33, Malvern Prep 42; Saves: Stephen Cheng (MP) 26 and Jack Borek (MP) 9, Anthony Perti (MP) 21

For More about Malvern Prep CLICK HERE

For More about The Hun School. CLICK HERE

SHSHL Update for 12-14-21

 National/Continental-Class AA     W     L     T    OTL     Pts

Pennridge (6-0)                                  3      0     0       0        6 

Souderton (5-2)                                  3      1     0      0        6

Council Rock South (4-1-1)               2      1     0       0       4

Bensalem (3-2)                                   1      0     0      0        2

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

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

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

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

North Penn (1-5)                                 0      2    0       0       0

Central Bucks West (3-3)                  0      2     0      0        0

Council Rock North (1-4)                  0      3     0      0        0

American Division-Class A                  W    L   T    OTL      Pts

Abington (4-1)                                        3     0  0     0          6

Plymouth Whitemarsh (4-0)                 2      0  0     0       4

Wissahickon (2-3)                                   2     0  0     0          4

Upper Dublin (3-3)                                 2    1   0    0           4

Quakertown (1-5)                                  1      3  0     0          2

Hatboro-Horsham (1-4)                        0    3  0     0             0 

William Tennent (0-6)                           0      3  0     0          0

Scoring

Class AA                                                  G      A      Pts

Shane Siegmund (PB)                           9       10      19

Karson Grainey (CRN)                         10      5        15

Max Gallagher (Nesh)                         8       7         15

Kevin Koles (CRS)                                 6      7        13

Nick Hahan (CRN)                               6       7         13

Kevin Pico (Pe)                                      6        7      13
Alex Hood (Bens)                                 9        4     13

Class A                                                     G       A      Pts

Matt Kramer (Ab                                   13      7      20

Jack Bocul (UD)                                    12      5      17 

Joe Stelacio (Ab)                                   5     11      16

Nick Hussa (Wiss)                               4        10       14

Will Hussa (Wiss)                                 9       5        14

Matt Cholaj (Ab)                                   8       6      14

Goals Against

Class AA                                     Minutes       GA           GAA

Ryan Pico (Pr)                             301              7            1.19

Liam Rogers  (CBW)                  204             10          2.50

Brian Nelson (Nesh)                  206             11           2.72

Carson Lopez (CRS)                   311              18           2.95

Ricky Gonalez (Bens) 252 17 3.44

Class A                                     Minutes       GA           GAA

Kolton Galie (PW)                   144              8              2.82

Sam Nemec (Ab)                     252             10             3.44

Michael Bonnani (Wiss)         252             25           4.76

Emmett Kepniss (UD)             148             17            5.51

Save Percentage        

 Class AA                                   Minutes       Shots     Saves       Save Pct.

Ryan Pico (Pr)                          301                  232        225         .970

Brian Nelson(Nesh)                206                  165        154         .933

Liasm Rogers (CBW)               204                  239        129         .928

Carson Lopez (CRS)                311                   229        211         .921

Ricky Gonzalez (Bens)            252                  163        146         .896

Class A                                  Minutes        Shots    Saves        Save Pct.

Kolton Galie (PW)               144               73          65            .890

Sam Nemec (Ab)                 153               78          68            .872

Michael Bonnani (Wiss)     252              168         143          .851

Malvern Prep 6 St. Joseph’s Prep 5

Jeremy Jacobs scored his third goal of the game with 6.6 seconds remaining in regulation as the Friars bested the Hawks Friday night at the Skatium. The Friars scored four goals in the third period to record their third APAC win without defeat.

Joseph Samango recorded a hat trick for the Hawks who are now 0-1-0-2 in conference play

St. Joseph’s Prep 0 2 3—5

Malvern Prep 1 1 4—6

First-period goal: Jimmy Jacobs (MP) from Matt Harris and Jeremy Jacobs, 5:01 (pp)

Second-period goals: Garrett McDonald (SJP) from Declan Pierce and Tristan Wanata, 4:47; Harris (MP) from Pierre Larocque, 11:01; Jeffrey Hammond (SJP) from Liam Mooney,  11:34

Third-period goals: Joseph Samanago (SJP) from Mooney, 1:25; Jeremy Jacobs (MP) from Travis Buckley and Jonathan Holt, 7:49; Samango (SJP) from Hammond and Dante Passio, 8:34;  Jeremy Jacobs (MP) from Jack Sharer, 9:19; Larocque (MP) from Jeremy Jacobs, 10:52; Samango (SJP) unassisted, 15:34; Jeremy Jacobs (MP) unassisted. 16:54.

Shots: Malvern Prep 45, St. Joseph’s Prep 35; Saves: Anthony Perti 30 (MP) Rocco Bruno (SJP) 39

Jimmy Jacobs delivers the game’s first goal

Jeremy Jacobs delivers the game winner

Video provided by Gracie Cleveland

Hun School 6 Holy Ghost Prep 1

HAMILTON TOWNSHOP—The impact of the eruption was overwhelming. The Hun School scored three goals in a span of 56 seconds in the second period, added another goal just 36 seconds later, and went on to a 6-1 win over Holy Ghost Prep Friday afternoon in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game at Ice Land.

With the score tied 1-1 early in the second period and his team on a power play, Brandon Marino launched a shot from the left wing that hit the back of the Firebirds’ net at the 3:48 mark. He scored a second goal on a similar play just 18 seconds later. Don Carney made at 4-1 game at 4:44 when the Firebirds turned the puck over in front of their own net.

The Raiders’ Josh Sosner drew a cross checking penalty at the 5:05 mark but the barrage continued uninterrupted. Seth Kaplan, who had scored the Raiders’ first goa, added a second at 5:20 off another Holy Ghost Prep turnover, this one at the blue line.

“We were laying the body a lot,” Kaplan said. “I think once we do that, we set the tone and kind of understand what we have to do for the rest of the game.
“And so, we went out there the first two shifts, laid a lot of hits, and I think that set the tone; we started going from there.”

Kaplan noted the melding of the Raiders’ physical style with their offensive output. “The past couple games we had some struggles scoring,” he said. “And I think game we showed ourselves, showed everybody, that we are able to score, and we’re going to keep putting it in on them and we’re not going to stop. 

“We’re just going to keep scoring as much as we can. That’s our game.”
Facing a four-goal deficit, the Firebirds called time out and made a goaltender change, replacing Jason Soule with Colin Mudrick. Mark Gall completed the scoring by adding his team’s fifth goal of the period, beating Mudrick at 7:38.

Holy Ghost Prep and Hun School get the afternoon underway.

Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside called the Hun School outburst “Five minutes of bad hockey. 

“This is not typical of the way we’ve been playing,” he said. “But I really liked the way responded in the third period,” (which was scoreless). They battled and they capitalized on our missed opportunities.”

Just 48 hours after a loss at La Salle, the Raiders (5-3 overall, 1-1-1-0 in the APAC) looked altogether different against the Firebirds (9-2, 1-2-1-0), who saw a six-game winning streak end.

“When we had success the first couple weeks of the season we were confident, physical, and that was a big part of our game,” said Hun School coach Ian McNally. “Then, we played Princeton Day School a couple weeks ago and we got called for so many penalties I think we became a little bit tentative playing that style and kind of reverted away from it.

“Today, the thought was ‘We’ve got to get back to that heavy game we played the first couple weeks.’”

The Raiders had a 29-21 edge in shots. Stephen Chen got the win in goal.

Holy Ghost Prep 1 0 0—1

Hun School 1 5 0—6

First-period goals: Seth Kaplan (HS) from Jake Ovelette, 15:46; Luke Penepresso (HGP) unassisted, 16:43

Second-period goals: Brandon Marino (HS) from Ovelette, 3:48 (pp); Marino (HS) from Elian Estulin, 4:06; Dan Carney (HS) Josh Sosner, 4:44; Kaplan (HS) from Ryan Croddick, 5:20 (sh); Mark Gall (HS) from Estulin and Marino, 7:38

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 21, Hun School 29

Hun School goaltender Stephen Chen makes a quality save.

Video provided by the Hun School

For more about The Hun School Click Here

For more about Holy Ghost Prep Click Here

La Salle 3 Portledge School 2

HATFIELD—After a first start, La Salle had to hold on in the stretch. Jack Lindmar’s goal with 9:06 remaining in regulation was the game winner as the Explorers held off Portledge School 3-2 Monday afternoon at Hatfield Ice.

La Salle now stands at 2-4 overall, having won its first two Mid-Atlantic Prep League starts.

Head Coach Wally Muehlbronner is embracing a back-to-basics approach. “That’s what we’re trying to get (the players) to believe in,” he said. “I think we’re starting to do it.”

The Explorers controlled play in the opening period, outshooting the Panthers 9-0 in the early going. Dan Whittock put the hosts in front 6:04 into the period with a goal off an offensive left-wing faceoff. Ryan Desmond made it 2-0 at the 15:48 mark.

Had it not been for the play of Jake Anderson in the Panther net (eight first-period saves), the score might have gotten out of hand.

Instead, the scoreline remained unchanged heading into the third period when Portledge (1-2 overall) came out flying. Eric Kold scored off a La Salle turnover 47 seconds into the final frame to make it a one-goal game and give the Panthers a surge of emotional energy.

For their part, the Explorers focused on sticking to their game plan. 

“I knew, obviously, they were going to come out hard,” Whittock said. Everyone knew that. If we stick to our game plan and with each other, we’ll be fine.”

Lindmar’s goal gave the hosts some breathing room, but the Panthers cut the deficit in half with 3:19 remaining.
Portledge got a big opportunity with 1:51 left in regulation when La Salle’s Chris Wnek was sent to the box for cross checking.

With the ensuing faceoff coming inside the La Salle blue line, Anderson was halfway out of his net. When his team won the draw he headed for the bench, giving the Panthers a six-on-four advantage.

But the Explorers held firm. Goaltender Will Braun made some stops; his best came with 25 seconds to go to help preserve the win.

Whittock notes he and his teammates are starting to get a sense of just what kind of team they are. “I think we know obviously, we might not put up five goals (a game),” he said. “If we stay strong in the defensive zone, cover our guys in front of the net, and everything like that, everything else is just going to click. Our chances will come.”

Portledge School 0 0 2—2

La Salle 2 0 1—3

First-period goals: Dan Whittock (L) from Max Maddalo and Gavin O’ Connell, 6:04; Ryan Desmond (L) from Chase Hannon, 15:48

Third-period goals: Eric Kold (P) unassisted, :47; Jack Lindmar (L) from Charlie Kennedy, 7:54; Terranova (P), assists unavailable 13:41

Shots: Portledge School 29, La Salle 36 Saves: Jake Anderson (P) 33, Will Braun (L) 27

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SHSHLUpdate for 12-6-21

Standings

 National/Continental-Class AA     W     L     T    OTL     Pts

Pennridge (5-0)                                  2      0     0       0        4 

Souderton (4-2)                                  2      1     0      0        4

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

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

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

Central Bucks East (2-3)                    1     1     0      0        2

Bensalem (2-2)                                   0      0     0      0        0

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

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

Central Bucks West (2-3)                  0      2     0      0         0

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

American Division-Class A                  W    L   T    OTL      Pts

Wissahickon (2-2)                                   2     0  0     0          4

Abington (3-1)                                        2     0  0     0           2

Upper Dublin (2-3)                                 1    1   0    0           2

Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-0)                 1      0  0     0        0 

Hatboro-Horsham (1-3)                        0     2  0     0          0 

Quakertown (1-4)                                  1      2  0     0          0

William Tennent (0-5)                           0      2  0     0         0

Scoring

Scoring

Class AA                                                  G      A      Pts

Shane Siegmund (PB)                           9       9      18

Karson Grainey (CRN)                         10      5        15

Max Gallagher (Nesh)                         8       6        14

Nick Hahan (CRN)                               5       6         11

Brendan Macainsh (PB)                      6       4       10

Seth Grossman (Soud.)                    6       4       10

Kevin Pico (Pr)                                  6       4       10

Class A                                                     G       A      Pts

Matt Kramer (Ab                                   12      6       18

Will Hussa (Wiss)                                   9       5       14

Joe Stelacio (Ab)                                    3      11      14

Matt Cholaj (Ab)                                    8       6       14

Jack Bocul (UD)                                     10     4      14  

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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

          

APAC Standings 12-11-21

APAC Standings   As of 9 p.m. on Wednesday 12-15

                                              W     L     OTW OTL     Pts

Malvern Prep (7-2)             4      0       0       0          12

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

Holy Ghost Prep (9-2)         1     2       1       0          5

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

St. Joseph’s Prep (2-4-1)     0     1       0       2        2

This Week

Tuesday: Lawrenceville 5, Hun School 4

Wednesday: Malvern Prep 7, Hun School 2