Malvern Prep 4, La Salle 0

HATFIELD— Malvern Prep made a statement Wednesday afternoon. And the rest of the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is sure to notice.

Jack Constabile delivered a hat trick and Anthony Perti pitched a shutout in goal as the Friars prevailed over La Salle 4-0 at Hatfield Ice. It was Malvern Prep’s fourth win of the season without a blemish but Wednesday’s game was its first in conference play and the win over the two-time defending APAC champion Explorers served notice the Friars will be a team to be reckoned with.

Perti made 31 saves in goal, with a half dozen falling into the ‘Extremely Difficult’ category. “I wanted to come out out and prove that we are a good team,” he said,

Prior to Wednesday, Malvern Prep played three non-league games against teams from the InterCounty League, albeit teams classified below the AAA level. Perti spoke to the importance of the Friars stepping up in their conference opener.

“It can’t be (overstated),” he said. “The game we played today, I don’t think it was even the best we’ve played. So, we still have more to prove, and honestly, out goal is to win the Flyers Cup, so this is one step in the right direction.”

Malvern Prep’s Chris Blango (l) and La Salle’s Jake Armstrong battle in Monday’s game.

Jeremy Jacobs gave his team a 1-0 lead 3:51 into the opening period when he made a solo run down the left wing and beat La Salle netminder Aries Carangi. Constabile made it a 2-0 game when he tipped in Chris Blango’s blast from the high slot with 38 seconds left in the period during a Malvern Prep power play.

Constabile added two additional goals not quite four minutes apart late in the second period.
Blango, a defenseman and his team’s captain, has been experiencing the satisfaction of merely being on the ice in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It feels awesome,” he said. “My senior year and all the other seniors (on the Malvern Prep roster) and all the other schools. It feels great just to play, to be able to compete. And to try to win a Flyers Cup.”

In addition to being the two-time defending APAC champion, La Salle is the reigning Class AAA Flyers Cup and state champion. But the Explorers have dropped their first two starts, both in APAC play and in 96 minutes of hockey have scored just three goals.

Veteran coach Wally Muehlbronner is looking for answers. “Not as much progress as I was hoping for since last week’s game (a Friday loss to Holy Ghost Prep,” he said. “We’ve got to get better playing together. I don’t think we’re playing that well together.”

Muehlbronner said his team us still trying to define itself. “Right now it’s kind of about forming an identity,” he said, “getting the guys to figure out who the leaders are going to be and then filling in the roles so the guys can follow along and follow their lead.”

• Between them, the Friars (eight) and La Salle (11) have won Flyers Cups. The Friars won five straight from 2001-‘05, a record for Class AAA.

Malvern Prep 2 2 0—4
La Salle 0 0 0—0
First-period goals: Jeremy Jacobs (MP) from Pierre Larocque, 3:51; Jack Constabile (MP) rom Matt Harris and Chris Blango, 15:22 (pp).
Second-period goals: Contabile (MP) from Quinn Dougherty and Ryan Sambuco, 10:48; Constabile (MP) from Dougherty and Harris, 14:43.
Shots: Malvern Prep 28, La Salle 31; Saves: Anthony Perti (MP) 31, Aries Carangi (L) 24

SHSHL Update 1-31-21

National/Continental Divisions W L T OTL Pts

Pennsbury (3-0-0-1) 2 0 0 0 4

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

Neshaminy (2-1) 1 0 0 0 2

Pennridge (3-1) 1 1 0 0 2

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

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

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

Central Bucks West (0-3) 0 1 0 0 0

Souderton (0-3) 0 1 0 0 0

American Division W L T OTL Pts

Wissahickon (4-0) 4 0 0 0 8

Abington (3-1) 3 1 0 0 6

Hatboro-Horsham (2-2-1) 2 2 1 0 5

Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-2-0-1) 2 2 0 1 5

Truman (2-2) 2 2 0 0 4

William Tennent (1-2) 1 2 1 0 3

Quakertown (0-3-0-1) 0 3 0 1 1

How the standings work: In the National/Continental Division each team plays four if its opponents twice and the other four once. When teams meet twice, thesecond meeting only counts in the divisional standings. While the first meeting is not included in the division standings it is factored into the Flyers Cup rankings.

In the American Division, each team plays its opponents twice and both games count in the division standings.

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National/Continental Scoring GP G A Pts

Adam Bostock (CBE) 2 7 5 12

Brendan Macainsh (Pb) 4 4 6 10

Robert Seewagen (Nesh) 3 5 4 9

Blake Srewart (Pr) 4 4 5 9

Thomas Gallagher (Nesh) 2 5 3 8

Shane Siegmund (Pb) 4 3 4 7

Colin Michalak (Pb) 4 3 4 7

Connor Keiser (CBE) 2 2 4 6

Aeryk Lehrhaupt (Pr) 4 5 1 6

Andrew David (Pr) 4 3 3 6

American Division Scoring GP G A Pts

Bryan Garry (Wss) 4 18 6 24

Nick Hussa (Wiss) 3 4 7 11

Alex Howieson (HH) 5 7 4 11

Joe Stelacio (Ab) 4 2 8 10

Jeremy McCartney (Tr) 4 2 8 10

Jason Carrelli (WT 4 4 5 9

Antony Pagliei (Q) 4 6 3 9

Luke Weikel (PW) 5 2 7 9

Jack Mishkin (PW) 5 6 3 9

6 players with 8 points

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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

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St. Joseph’s Prep 6, Haverford High 1

St. Joseph’s Prep 6, Haverford High 1—Connor Burman scored two goals as the Hawks opened their season with a non-league win over Haverford High Friday night at the Skatium. Joe Samango, Christian Short, Matt Moresco, and Jeffrey Hammond also scored.

Andrew Custer and Rocco Bruno split the game in goal.

Haverford 0 1 0—1

St, Joseph’s Prep 2 2 2—6

First-period goals: Jeffrey Hammomd (SJP) from Dominic Fantozzi, :44; Matt Moresco (SJP) from Hammond, 7:27.

Second-period goals: Mike McGeoch (H) unassisted, 6:44; Connor Burman (SJP) from Hammond, 7:20; Burman (SJP) from Hammond, 7:33.

Third-period goals: Joe Samango (HGP) from Hammond, 14:36; Christian Short (SJP) from Michael Ahearn, 15:39.

Pennsbury 9, North Penn 2

HATFIELD— Pennsbury prides itself on playing an uptempo game. That approach was on display Thursday night in the course of a 9-2 SHSHL National/Continental matchup at Hatfield Ice.

Andrew Falkenstein delivered a hat trick to propel the Falcons to their third victory in four starts (2-0) in divisional play. In their four games, the Falcons have scored 24 goals while playing their fast-paced style.

“Since I took over (three) years ago that’s one of the things we’ve been trying to do,” said Pennsbury coach Ryan Daley. “A lot of shots, fast tempo, we have the speed for it.
“It’s taken a while for everyone to buy in, but it seems like this year everything is clicking and it showed tonight.”

Falkenstein got the evening started at the 5:25 mark of the opening period when he beat North Penn netminder John Boyle. Reece Picker made it 2-0 at 6:47 before Falkenstein made it a 3-0 game just 14 seconds after that.

Falkenstein noted that he and his teammates enjoy playing an upbeat style of hockey. “We all have a good bond,” he said.”we all play great together.”

Ryan Kaufhold got North Penn (1-2, 0-1) on the scoreboard with1:29 left in the period but the Falcons broke the game open in the second frame with four unanswered goals, including Falkenstein’s third of the night.

Pennsbury also found success at the other end of the ice with Marek Jorgensen in goal. Jorgensen, who finished with 21 saves, had an abundance of defensive support.

“We’ve been working a lot on the defensive side as a team,” Daley said. “Also, Marek had a phenomenal game, the best game I’ve ever seen him play in between the pipes.

“It’s his first year as a starter, that goes a long way for him and for us. I was happy with how we played in the defensive zone too.”

The Falcons held a 31-23 edge in shots. Wednesday’s game was the only regular-season between the two teams.

Pennsbury 3 4 2—9
North Penn 1 0 1—2

First-period goals: Andrew Falkensteon (P) from Colin Michalak, 5:25; Reese Picker (P) unassisted, 6:47; Falkenstein (P) from Justin Martin, 8:01; Ryan Kaufhold (NP) from Joseph Silvotti and John Stinson, 8:14

Second-period goals: Reece MIllman (P) from Pocket and Eisler, 4:25; MIchalak (P) from Brendan McCainsh, 6:27; Falkenstein (P) from Shane Siegmund, 11:51; Millman (P) from Siegmund, 12:11.

Third-Period goals: Michalak (P) from Macainsh, 8:52; Jeremy Porubski (NP) from Derek Delong and Ben Mostochuck, 4:32; Siegmund (P) from Michalak and Jack Boyle, 9:10.

Shots: Pennsbury 31, North Penn 23; Saves: Marek Jorgenson (P) 21; Jon Boyles (NP) 22

Elsewhere: Central Bucks South defeated Souderton 4-1 Thursday night in a National/Continental matchup at Hatfield Ice.

Wissahickon 7, William Tennent 5

HATFIELD—Bryan Garry stepped up Wednesday night when his team needed him to do just that. Garry scored two goals six second apart in the third period and those goals proved decisive in Wissahickon’s 7-5 win over William Tennent in a SHSHL American Division game at Hatfield Ice.

Wednesday’s game was the second and last meeting of the regular season between the Trojans (4-0 overall and in the division) and the Panthers (1-2). The first meeting, on January 13, saw the Trojans roll to an 11-1 win. Wednesday’s game was something entirely different, which came as no surprise to Wissahickon coach Ken Harrington.

“(Tennent) came to play,” he said. “I warned (his team) before the game that ‘You’re not going to see the same team that you played.’”

Tennent rallied from a 3-0 second-period deficit to force a 4-4 standoff with 10 minutes left in regulation when Garry, who had already scored twice to that point, found his extra gear.

It took the senior 11 seconds to win a faceoff and score directly off that faceoff. It took him six additional seconds to win the subsequent faceoff and score again to give his team a two-goal lead.

Garry, who is also Wissahickon’s captain, said his team needed a lift. “We were just not playing as well as I thought we should have,” he said. “We were letting up a couple goals, so I kind of switched gears and decided that I was going to try to give it my all and see what I could do, and it worked out.”

Bryan Mesaro scored his second goal of the game for Tennent with 7:07 remaining to make it a 6-5 game before Will Hussa cashed in the Trojans’ insurance policy with 1:02 left.

For all Garry accomplished, the best player on the ice might have been Tennent goaltender Tom Lomas, who finished his night’s work with 36 saves. He did his best work in the first period, allowing the Panthers to go into the second period down just 1-0 despite being outshot 17-7 in the first frame.

“Tom played I think his best game of his career tonight,” said Tennent coach Nick D’Aurizio. “He’s had some really good games, but he’s been great this year. That first period, we’re down 3 or 4-0 on a normal night. He’s the reason we were in that game the whole time.

The Trojans finished with a 43-22 edge in shots.

Garry also had two assists. In four games, he has scored 18 goals and added six assists for 24 points.

William Tennent 0 2 3—5

Wissahickon 1 3 3—7

First-period goals: A.J. Pounds from Bryan Garry and David Glazer, 3:49.

Second-period goals: Garry unassisted, :08; Glazer from Gary, 5:40; Jagger Azvolinski (WT) from Justin Carrelli, 8:09; Matt Castan (WT) from Carrelli and Gavin Loughlin, 10:56; Garry from Pounds, 14:38, (pp).

Third-period goals: Carrelli (WT) unassisted, 4:51; Bryan Mesaro (WT) unassisted, 6:00; Garry from Pounds, 6:11; Garry from Pounds, 6:17; Mesaro from Nate Silberman, 7:07 (pp); Will Hussa unassisted, 14:58.

Shots: William Tennent 22, Wissahickon 43; Saves: Tom Loms (WT) 36, Matt Bonnani 17.

Holy Ghost Prep Kicks Off 2021 Season

By Rick Woelfel

When Holy Ghost Prep Firebirds hit the ice Monday night, an easily disenable wave of positive energy swept through the Green Rink at Hatfield Ice.

After weeks of waiting, and wondering if they would have a season at all, the Firebirds were back to playing the game they loved.

“We’ve been through a lot as a country,” said Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside. “It’s just nice to be back on the ice with these kids, and in the locker rooms, and seeing their smiles and practicing, and now to be able to play in a game, it’s just nice.

“This where they need to be, and it’s a nice way to kick off the season.”

Whiteside noted that playing their first game of the season gave his players a sense of normalcy. “This is where they thrive,” he said. “You can hear the laughter, the chatter, the camaraderie they have. It’s a special team and I’m just fortunate to be a part of it.”

Perhaps no one enjoyed the evening more than Firebird defenseman Jake Marek. The senior was making his return to the ice after missing his entire junior season because of a torn ACL that he sustained just prior to the first game of last season.

“I haven’t played with these guys in a while,” Marek said. “And some of the underclassmen I’ve never played with ever. So, going out, I was a little skeptical on how we were going to be as a team. But, it’s family. This team jells. And it was very, very nice to play with.”

Despite his injury, Marek remained with the team last season and at times could set his concerns about his injury and his hockey future aside.

“I was still with the team,” he said. “And, to be out there with the guys, I didn’t feel it.”

Not so long ago, Marek was thinking he might have played his last game with the Firebirds, but not because of his injury. “I knew I was going to come back from the injury no matter what,” he said. “But with the pandemic, I was very, very scared. I’m very, very thankful to be in this spot today.”

Marek’s greatest concern is that his senior season of high-school hockey will be further interrupted. “I want a season,” he said. “I don’t just want a couple games, I want a season, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.”

Brady Baehser and E.J. Pohl scored twice for the Firebirds. Bobby Baehser got the win in goal. Mason Moyer was in goal for the Titans, his first action of the season.

The Firebirds and La Salle will open the APAC season Friday night at Hatfield Ice with a scheduled 6:50 start.

Holy Ghost Prep 4 2 2—8

C.B. South 0 0 0—0

First-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) from Brian Butler. 5:42; E.J. Pohl (HGP) from Jason Soule and Evan Mudrick, 8:17 (pp); Sean Marshall (HGP) and Sean Moore, 12:57 (sh); Baehser (HGP) unassisted, 14:47.

Second-period goals: Anthony Sparo (HGP) from Mudrick, 10:25; Pohl (HGP) from Moore and Mudrick, 15:58.

Third-period goals: Landon Stoudt (HGP) from Carlos Rodriguez, Jr., 5:32; Patrick McAneny (HGP) from James Littley, 8:30.

Council Rock South 5, Neshaminy 2

WARWICK TOWNSHIP—Starting a game with a two-goal lead would be a significant advantage for any hockey team. That’s essentially the situation Council Rock South found itself in Friday night, and the circumstance Neshaminy had to deal with.

The Golden Hawks scored twice off Neshaminy turnovers before the game was two-and-a-half minutes old and went on to take a 5-2 decision in a SHSHL National-Continental non-league matchup at Revolution Ice Gardens.

Jeremy Purcell gave the Hawks (2-0) the lead just 30 seconds after the opening faceoff, beating Brian Nelson after the ‘Skins (1-1) turned the puck over in deep in their own zone near the right faceoff circle. Gavin Nisenzon made it 2-0 at the 2:22 mark with a shot from between the circles that Nelson initally stopped but the puck trickled over the goal line.

‘It’s the turnovers that are killing us,” said Neshaminy coach Matt DeMatteo. “I don’t know if we’re just trying to do too much with the puck, but I think we need to simplify the game and stop trying to do too much. It’s too early in the season to overcomplicate things.”

Nolan Geria got the ‘Skins on the board at the 6:44 mark of the first frame off a feed from Robert Seewagen, who was stationed beyond the goal line and found his teammate in the slot.

Both teams had an abundance of chances after that but Nelson and Jimmy Sweeney, his South counterpart, stepped up; they combined for 54 saves, an abundance of them, at both ends of the ice, under duress.

Brennan Wright extended the South lead with a power-play goal 2:24 into the second frame. Seewagen answered for Neshaminy just 55 seconds later but would not score again. When Kyle Boss score for the Golden Hawks with just 26 seconds left in the second session, Sweeney had the same two-goal margin going into the third period that he enjoyed for most of the first.

“I felt like everyone on my team was sharp tonight,” he said. “Everyone played good. I felt like I was a little shaky in the beginning but then I felt like I settled in.”

Sweeney played some of his best hockey in the final period to keep Neshaminy at bay. He made his best save of the night when he denied Max Gallagher from close range with 1:49 left in the period to keep it a two-goal game. It was an effort that left him sprawled on the ice.

“I felt like (his teammates) found their extra gear,” Sweeney said. “Everyone was out there skating as hard as they could.

The only goal of the period came from South’s Douglas Lopez into an empty net with 56 seconds remaining.

• Friday’s game was the first of two meetings between the two teams this season. It will not count in the division standings but will have an impact on seedings for the Flyers Cup tournament. The ‘Skins and the Golden Hawks will meet again on March 17. That game will count in the division standings.

Neshaminy 1 1 0—2

Council Rock South 2 1 2—5

First-period goals: Jeremy Purcell (CRS) from Douglas Lopez, :30; Gavin Nisenzon (CRS) unassisted, 2:22; Nolan Geria (N) from Robert Seewagen, 6:44.

Second-period goals: Brennan Wright (CRS) from Kyle Boss, 2:24 (pp); Seewagen (N) from J.J. Hathaway and Max Gallagher, 3:19; Boss (CRS) from Julian Sarne and Juian Wagenmann, 15:34.

Third-period goal: Lopez (CRS) unassisted, 15:04 (en).
Shots: Neshaminy 31, Council Rock South 30; Saves: Brian Nelson (N) 25, Jimmy Sweeney (CRS) 29.

Pennridge 5, Central Bucks South 1

By Rick Woelfel

HATFIELD—It wasn’t a flashy performance. But it was a model of efficiency.

Blake Stewart and Arek Lehrhaupt each scored twice to lead Pennridge to a 5-1 win over Central Bucks South in a SHSHL National/Continental matchup Thursday night at Hatfield Ice.
It was the second win for the Rams (2-1 overall, 0-1 in league play) in two nights.

Rams coach Jeff Montagna was pleased his team stepped up after a subpar, albeit winning effort against Central Bucks West on Wednesday.

“It was boring in a good way,” he said. “I have not been happy at all the first two nights (including an opening night-loss to Pennsbury), especially defensively. They did a really nice job just keeping things simple, and once we got the lead, not giving (South) a whole lot of life.”

Aidan Boyle got things started for the Rams when he beat Madison Ambler with a forehander from midway between the two circles 9:13 into the first frame. Lehrhaupt made it 2-0 at 11:50 with a shot from the edge of the right circle on an odd-man situation.

The Titans got on the board when Garrett Sklar beat Ryan Pico in the Pennridge net 6:31 into the middle period but that was all they could manage.

“We were outworked and outplayed,” said South coach Shaun McGinty, “and only a few players showed up. We need to win the corner battles and the battles in the defensive zone.”

Stewart restored the Rams’ two goal lead at the 7:59 mark of the period., then widened the margin with his second goal of the game 8:10 into the third frame. Stewart, who is the Pennridge captain, was pleased to see his team bounce back after an off night 24 hours earlier, but still wasn’t satisfied

“(Wednesday night) was pretty sloppy,” he said, “but we went home, we thought about the game and came out here and forced things that we needed to do tonight. It was much better, but without being on the ice very much, all that’s a little tough.”

Lehrhaupt finished the scoring with 1:09 left in the game.

The Rams are one of the most experienced teams in the SHSHL Montagna is counting on leadership from his veterans to help them reach their potential. “I told them ‘It’s on you guys’” he said. “Guys that have played for me for three, four years, they have to lead this team and have to set the example … and I didn’t think the first nights they did that.”

Montagna cited Stewart’s leadership abilities but also the responsibility that comes with wearing the captain’s C.

“He has to lead us and a couple of the other guys have to lead us,” Montagna said, “And they did that tonight.”

Pico and Ambler made 21 saves apiece. Ambler was in goal in place of veteran Mason Moyer who has been unavailable for the Titans’ first two games.

Pennridge 2 1 2—5
C.B. South 0 1 0—1
First-period goals: Aidan Boyle (P) from Andrew David, 9:13; Arek Lehrhaupt (P) from Jeff Manto, 11:50.
Second-period goals: Garrett Sklar (CBS) from Aydin Thierolf, 6:31; Blake Stewart (P) from Andrew David, 7:59.
Third-period goals: Stewart (P) from Richie Shanks and Boyle, 8:10; Lehrhaupt (P) from Manto, 14:51.
Shots: Pennridge 26, C.B. South 22; Saves: Ryan Pico (P) 21, Madison Ambler (CBS) 21.

La Salle’s David Kimmel a Serious Student of Hockey

David Kimmel is counting the days. The La Salle senior is eagerly anticipating next Friday, January 29 when he and his Explorer teammates will open the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference season against Holy Ghost Prep.

Kimmel, who is primarily a center, has been practicing and playing occasional games with his club team. But the Covid-19 pandemic has kept the APAC teams off the ice for much of the last month-and-a-half, save for occasional practices.

“It’s definitely been very different,” Kimmel said. “We haven’t been able to get into school all that often; we’re in a hybrid mode, like every other day, so we’ve relied on technology to communicate and choose to kind of keep our hopes up about when we’re hoping to be able to start the season.

“And when we’re at the rink itself, it’s very different. Having to get dressed all separated, not having that locker room camaraderie that every hockey player enjoys. So, it’s definitely been very different this year. We had to get dressed six feet apart and we weren’t able to bond in the locker room like we have been in previous years.”

While he hasn’t seen a lot of game action this season, Kimmel is taking advantage of the practice time he’s getting with his club team.

“Our practice schedule has been virtually unchanged,” he said, “so I’ve been able to keep my stamina up, working hard to stay in shape for when (La Salle games begin). Just being on the ice at least three times a week has really helped me to keep in the flow of hockey and avoid any minor setbacks that could start at the beginning of the season.”

Kimmel, who is primarily a center, has also watched a lot of hockey, specifically the recent World Junior Championships; he watched virtually every game the United States played and a lot of Team Canada as well. For someone as committed to hockey as Kimmel, the tournament was a learning experience.

“I think it’s amazing that the players are just a couple years older than (high-school players),” he said. “They look like they could complete with the best of NHL players. Watching them is definitely a really big advantage to my game.

Kimmel enjoys studying players who play his position. “I like to kind of focus on one player that would match my position out there on the ice,” he said, “and just notice everything that he does well. Also, having the overhead perspective, I can see some of the things that maybe he could have done better and then try to envision my own self on the ice and think what I would do in that scenario.”

When he’s watching televised hockey, Kimmel views the game differently than a casual fan would because of his on-ice experience. “I would say most people that don’t have a hockey mind would focus on the scoring plays,” he said. “I’m just taking note of key passes that kind of start plays and generate scoring chances, and also defensive positioning and shot blocking, especially in the final seconds of the U.S.-Finland game (in the World Junior semifinals); a couple US players laid out their bodies on the line and that’s nothing I think a normal hockey fan would notice.

“And then also there just so many skillful plays that largely go unnoticed, like (plays) in the corners and ways to get the puck on net. People who haven’t really played hockey wouldn’t understand how difficult it is.”

Seeing some of the plays world-class junior players are capable of making got Kimmel thinking about what he could add to his own game. “You just get a lot of creative ideas from what they’re doing, he said.” So, I definitely like to take note of the special things that I see out there.”