North Penn 4 Downingtown West 1

Special teams matter more than ever come the postseason. Special-team situations worked to North Penn’s advantage Thursday night. The Knights overcame an early 1-0 deficit and scored twice on second-period power plays to separate themselves from Downingtown West en route to a 4-1 win in a Flyers Cup Class AA a semifinal at Hatfield Ice.

The top-seeded Knights (25-1) will attempt to complete a successful title defense Tuesday night against Boyertown, a 4-3 winner over Council Rock South in Thursday’s other semifinal.

From North Penn’s perspective, it was a performance that was more workmanlike than flamboyant.

“{Downingtown West} is a very good hockey team,” said North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis. “Their goalie (Justin Adams) is outstanding. We knew going in that it was going to be a tough game and it was.

“They got goal early, but we kept playing and kept working.”

The fifth-seeded Whippets (13-9-1) drew first blood when Brady Cusa opened the scoring 5:35 into the opening period. Joey Risa took a shot from the left wing. North Penn goaltender Andrew Norton made the save but lost track of the rebound and Cusa tucked the puck inside the left post.

Nolan Shingle responded for North Penn at the 9:52 mark however to send the teams into the second period on even terms.

The Whippets undermined themselves with penalties in the second frame. Colin Gordon was whistled for interference just 19 seconds into the period. It took Chris Silvotti just 44 additional seconds to respond with a power-play goal. Shingle’s second goal of the night, which came with 5:26 remaining in the period, was also a power-plays effort. James Boyle assisted on the goal to pick up the 100th point of his career.

“We always try to work on the power play,” Shingle said. “When you’re given a chance like that, you kind of have to capitalize, it can be a big momentum swinger.

“This whole season, we kind of have been on the other side of calls a lot, so I feel like every power play we get, we’ve got to make the most of it.”

Declan Leahy added the Knights’ fourth goal, with Boyle’s help, 4:56 into the third period.

Now, it’s on to the finals where the Knights will try to become the first Class AA team in seven years to defend a Cup title. Shingle says the Knights are taking it a step at a time.

“That’s been a big thing this whole season,” Shingle said. “Don’t get too ahead of ourselves and just keep focused. “We’ve got to go into every game with the mentality that this team can beat us if we don’t come to play.”

• Downingtown East in 2019 was the last Class AA team to mount a successful Flyers Cup defense. The Cougars won three straight titles from 2017-’19.

Downingtown West 1 0 0—1

North Penn 1 2 1—4

First-period goals: Brady Cusa (DW) from Joey Risa, 5:35; Nolan Shingle (NP) from Samuel Norton, 9:52

Second-period goals: Chris Silvotti (NP) from Ismael Cabrales, 1:03 (pp) Shingle (NP) from Norton and James Boyle, 11:34 (pp)

Third-period goals: Declan Leahy (NP) from Boyle, 4:56

Shots: Downingtown West 14, North Penn 40; Saves: Justin Adams (DW) 36, Andrew Norton (NP) 13

Hatboro-Horsham 10 Radnor 0

Some would call it a dominant performance. Others would use the term overwhelming. Whatever the phraseology, Hatboro-Horsham’s offensive firepower was on full display Monday night in the opening round of the Class A Flyers Cup.

The sixth-seeded Hatters were too much for 11^th-seeded Radnor and rolled to a 10-0 win at Hatfield Ice.

Nate Nemchinov scored four goals and added four assists for Hatboro-Horsham, which will face third-seeded Kennett in Thursday’s quarterfinals. Vince Graziani produced three goals and two assists before the game was terminated via the 10-goal rule with 10:45 remaining in the third period.

Prior to the stoppage, the Hatter (17-3) were in complete command and applying unrelenting pressure.

“We try to wear out our opponents with our stamina,” said Hatboro-Horsham coach Shane Smith. “We were able to do that here, we were able to keep the pressure on them, and keep it deep in their zone.”

Nemchinov and Graziani spend much of their time on the ice simultaneously. The chemistry between Nemchinov, a senior, and Graziani, a sophomore, is unique.

“We’ve played with each other for two years,” Nemchinov said. “We know where each other are on the ice at all times. We talk; it’s all about communication and chemistry.”

It took the Hatters some time to get started. The game was nearly nine-and-a-half minutes old before Luke Staffieri scored his team’s first goal. But once they started, the goals kept coming. Graziani and Cole Meyer added goals before the first period ended.

Nemchinov scored three times in the second frame and Graziani and Bill Moffa scored additional goals to propel Hatboro-Horsham to an 8-0 lead. Nemchinov an Graziani each scored in the final period.

The Hatters’ up-tempo approach theoretically leaves them vulnerable at the other end of the ice. But Graziani points out he and his teammates are confident in the defense behind them.

“There are very good players in this tournament, and it’s hard to get back,” he said. But we’ve got good goaltending and good ‘D’ back there, so it helps us out.”

Emotions were running high by the late stages of the second frame. The Raptors lost defenseman Charles Peterson with 1:51 left in the period when he drew a major penalty for head contact plus a match penalty for a hit on Staffieri. Staffieri himself was banished 3:30 into the third period after fisticuffs with Radnor’s Hayden Goldenberg. The Raptors’ Stephen Sucher also received a game misconduct for being the third man in the altercation. The fighting penalty means Staffieri will not be in uniform when the Hatters face Kennett on Thursday.

• Patrick Murphy and Eric Miller split the shutout in goal for the Hatters. Murphy played the first two periods, Miller the third.

Radnor 0 0 0—0

Hatboro-Horsham 3 5 2—10

First-period goals: Luca Staffieri (HH) from Nate Nemchinov, 9:26; Vince Graziani I(HH) from Staffieri and Giovani Bucci, 14:31; Cole Meyer (HH) from Joey Magnin, 16:28

Second-period goals: Nemchinov (HH) unassisted, 4:31; Graziani (HH) from Nemchinov and Bill Moffa, 10:22; Nemchinov (HH) from Graziani and Moffa 14:03; Moffa (HH) from Nemchinov, 14:35; Nemchinov (HH) from Graziani, 15:43;

Third-period goals: Nemchinov (HH) from Staffieri and Moffa, 2:54; Graziani (HH) from Nemchinov. 6:15

Shots: Radnor 11, Hatboro-Horsham 38; Saves: James Danner (Ra) 28, Patrick Murphy (HH) 8 and Eric Miller (HH) 3

Contested terminated with 10:45 remaining in third period

Hatboro-Horsham 4 Plymouth Whitemarsh 3

When two teams play each other five times over the course of a season, there are no secrets. Familiarity breeds intensity. And Thursday’s SHSHL final played out that way.

Vince Graziani’s goal 28 seconds into Stanley Cup-style sudden-death overtime, gave Hatboro-Horsham a 4-3 win over Plymouth Whitemarsh at Hatfield Ice. His game winner, his second goal of the game, came on a shot from the deep right wing.

“It feels amazing,” Graziani said. “We’ve come so far to get to this point.

“P-W has a great team, they have a great program, and it was just a great battle.”

The teams split four regular-season meetings and Thursday’s result superseded them all. It gave the Hatters (17-3) their second consecutive division championship in a championship-caliber game.

“This was a fantastic game,” said Hatboro-Horsham coach Shane Smith, “with two evenly matched teams that played well and hard against each other. This was the kind of game we expected. If you looked up championship in the dictionary this game would have {defined it}.”

William Moffa got the scoring started for the Hatters 3:01 into the opening frame. Brandon Wooldridge tied the game for the Colonials (14-3) 77 seconds later. Graziani’s first goal of the night put the Hatters up 2-1 with 5:27 left in the period.

Cooper Kanzee, who assisted on the Colonials’ first goal, tied the game once more when he beat Patrick Murphy in the Hatter net with exactly three minutes left in the second period.

Special teams played into a third period that included four minor penalties. Joseph Mangin’s goal that put the Hatters up 3-2 came while Ryan Jagher was serving an interference penalty. Kanzee tied the game for the last time with 7:57 left in regulation came while the Hatters’ Luca Staffieri was in the box serving an interference penalty of his own.

It was as evenly matched an affair as could be imagined. But, a winner had to be determined,

“I think it just came down to one play at the end,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Vince Forti. They’re a very good team and they capitalized.

“It was back and forth. I’m proud of our guys from battling until the end.”

Graziani spoke to the challenges that arose from playing the Colonials for a fifth time this season.

“It’s hard,” he said. You’ve just got to find your chances and find when to do things and put the puck in the net.”

Both teams open play in the Class A Flyers Cup on Monday. The sixth-seeded Hatters will face Number-11 Radnor while the eighth-seeded Colonials will take on ninth-seeded West Chester Henderson. Both games will be played at Hatfield Ice,

Hatboro-Horsham 2 0 1 1—4

P-W 1 1 1 0—3

First-period goals: Willlim Moffa (HH) from Nathan Nemchinov and Aiden North, 3:01; Brandon Wooldridge (PW) from Cooper Kanzee and Dan Guller, 4:18; Vincent Graziani (HH) from Luca Staffieri, 11:33

Second-period goals: Kanzee (PW) unassisted, 14:00

Third-period goals:[1] Joseph Mangin (HH) from Nemchinov and Graziani, 3:31; Kanzee (PW) from Guller and Ryan Jagher, 9:03

Overtime goal: Graziani (HH) from Nemchinov, :28

Shots: Hatboro-Horsham 43, Plymouth Whitemarsh 26; Saves: Patrick Murphy (HH) 23, Max Yoder (PW) 39

[1]

North Penn 6 C.B. South 3

Big games are often decided when winning teams and/or big-time players step up. Such was the case Thursday night as Sam Norton and his North Penn teammates came up big when the moment demanded it.

North Penn scored three straight goals over the second half of the second period to separate themselves from Central Bucks South and went on to a 6-3 win over the Titans in the SHSHL National Division championship game at Hatfield Ice. It was the 21st win in 22 starts this season for the top-seeded Knights, who claimed a SHSHL title for the fourth time in team history. They will be the top seed for the Class AA Flyers Cup and will face Shawnee in the opening round Tuesday night.

For now, the defending Cup and state champions will celebrate with another trophy.

“A win like that is always enjoyable,” Sam Norton said. “It’s a great experience. I’m going to remember it for a while.”

The third-seeded Titans (16-6) struck first when Ryan Montagna finished off a two-on-one during a South power play just 89 seconds into the opening period. It gave his team the lead but North Penn goaltender Andy Norton was unfazed.

“I try to focus on what’s coming next,” he said, “the next shot, I just put it behind me. I really trust my team. I trust they are going to put another one in the net.”

Which Sam Norton did two-and-a-half minutes later to tie the game. Norton followed with his second goal of the night not quite threo minutes after that and Declan Leahy made it a 3-1 game with 3:08 left in the first period.

South however, wasn’t going anywhere. Ryan Frey found the back of the net 3:05 into the second frame and Joey Slobodian tied the game at the 8:30 mark, making the second half of regulation theoretically a new game.

It was time for Sam Norton to step up once more. Twenty-eight seconds after Slobodian’s game-tying effort, Norton completed a hat trick to put North Penn in front for good. Daniel Cabrales followed with a goal with 6:44 left in regulation and Nolan Shingle completed the scoring for the night with exactly five minutes remaining.

“It wasn’t our greatest {game},” said North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis. “We had some mistakes but we capitalized on some as well. And, when you get to this point in the season and you’re playing a team like that, it’s not going to be perfect.

“I thought the guys worked hard. Even when they came back to tie it at three, nobody panicked. We’ve been in situations like this before and we just keep working through it.”

The Titans worked hard as well against an opponent that leaves an opponent little margin for error.

“We’re proud of our team,” said South coach Josh Sklar. “They battled to the end. You’ve got the two top teams. In the league going at it and sometimes the bounces just don’t go your way.”

Sklar pointed out that competing against the Knights requires going full bore for three full periods.

“Every shift means something,” he said. “Every shift is important. We’re a deep team, but we battled. We tried, we did our best.

• The Titans are seeded sixth in the Class AA Flyers Cup and will face Downingtown East Tuesday night in the first round…. North Penn’s previous SHSHL titles came in 2002, ‘09, and ‘14. The Titans are seven-time champions, their last coming in 2018.

C.B. South 1 2 0—3

North Penn 3 3 0—6

First-period goals: Ryan Montagna (CBS) from Dom Gibson, 1:29 (pp); Samuel Norton (NP) unassisted, 4:01; Norton (NP) unassisted, 6:54; Declan Leahy (NP) from Ismael Cabrales, 12:52

Third-period goals: Ryan Frey (CBS) unassisted, 3;05; Joey Slobodian (CBS) unassisted, 8:30; Norton (NP) unassisted, 8:58; Daniel Cabrales (NP) from Landon Hostetter, 10:16; Nolan Shingle (NP) from I. Cabrales, 12:00

Shots: C.B. South 44, North Penn 22; Saves: Nate Neapolitan (CBS) 38, Andy Norton (NP) 19

North Penn 7 Pennridge 0

While the U.S. men’s hockey team was celebrating its opening win at the Olympic Games, North Penn took the ice Thursday night and continued its winning ways. The Knights took on Pennridge already assured of the SHSHL regular-season title. But they appeared to not let that circumstance distract them from the tasks at hand.

Chris Silvotti and Nolan Shingle scored twice and three other players scored one goal each as North Penn left Hatfield Ice a 7-0 winner.

With their regular-season finale against Council Rock South to come next Wednesday, the Knights stand at 19-1 overall and a perfect 15-0 in divisional play. For the defending Class AA Flyers Cup and state champions, Thursday night was business as usual.

“They knew {they had clinched the regular-season title} going into this game, but it was never brought up before the game,” said North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis. “They truly look at it one game at a time and that’s the mentality they’ve had all season.”

Silvotti and Tyler Evans gave North Penn a 2-0 first-period lead. Silvotti, Declan Leahy, and Shingle extended the lead in the second stanza and ended the suspense, since Aidan Quigley was working on a shutout at the other end of the ice. The junior finished with 19 saves.

For all the Knights have accomplished this season; they are the highest scoring team in SHSHL National, it is their defensive prowess that is especially noteworthy. In 15 divisional games this season, North Penn has allowed just 20 goals.

“It just comes down to our practices and our mentality going into the games,” Quigley said. “We’re focused and we stay focused, it keeps the team in the game.”

Quigley, a junior, notes that defensive is the top priority for the Knights. “We play defense first,” he said, “then move to offense. Our defense is very good. They also know when to move up and join the offense. I think that leads to a lot of our goals, when our defenseman are up in the play too after making a good defensive play.”

Shingle and Gabriel Dunn added third period goals for the Knights, who launched 54 shots at Pennridge goaltender Andrew Slutsky.

For the Rams (5-10-1, 5-10), who are battling with Central Bucks East and Souderton for the division’s last two playoff spots, it was a difficult evening.

“We were outclassed,” said Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna. “They’re the better team and we need a lot of things to go right. We had chances, and if we’re going to have a chance against this team, we need to finish some of them.

“Obviously, it’s hard to compete with them; they’re the defending state champs. But, if we’re not going to finish, we don’t have much of a chance.”

• The Rams close the regular season next Thursday against Central Bucks East,

North Penn 2 3 2—7

Pennridge 0 0 0—0

First-period goals: Chris Silvotti (NP) from Ismael Cabrales and Gabe Dunn, 3:12; Tyler Evans (NP) from Milo Little and Landon Hostetter, 13:36

Second-period goals: Silvotti (NP) from Ismael Cabrales and Briggs Hostetter, 1:03; Declan Leahy (NP) from Chase Kelly Del Ricci and Evans, 6:56; Nolan Shingle (NP) from Daniel Cabrales and Ismael Cabrales, 12:08

Third-period goals: Shingle (NP) from Silvotti and Ismael Cabrles 1:57; Gabriel Dunn (NP) from Leahy and Daniel Cabrales

Shots: North Penn 54, Pennridge 19; Saves : Aidan Quigley (NP) 19, Andrew Slutsky (Pr) 47

H-H 5 PW 4

Hatboro-Horsham needed to pick up the pace. Two periods into Thursday’s matchup with Plymouth Whitemarsh, the Hatters found themselves trailing 2-0 in a game featuring the two top teams in the SHSHL’s American Division.

The Hatters responded to the challenge by scoring five times in the third period to slip past the Colonials 5-4, a result with significant American Division ramifications.

Luca Staffieri scored the winning goal with 58 seconds remaining in regulation. The result heightened an already tight division race; both teams stand 12-2 in the division standings with a rematch to come next Wednesday. The Hatters lead the season series two victories to one.

“We came in knowing it was a must-win game said Hatboro-Horsham coach Shane Smith. “Every game from here on out is a must-win game if you want to secure the bye {that sends the regular-season champion to the division championship game}.

The Hatters made a statement at the start of the third period. Staffieri, Reid Rochestie, and Vincent Graziani all scored goals in a span of 2 minutes, 49 seconds to give Hatboro-Horsham a 3-2 lead with 13:18 left in regulation.

The balance of the period saw the teams trading goals: Dan Guller and Jarrett Olenginski for Plymouth Whitemarsh, Nate Nemchinov for the Hatters.

Olenginski tied the game at 4-4 with 1:59 remaining before Staffari dashed the Colonials’ hopes 61 seconds later.

Staffari contributed two assists along with his two goals, but the contributions of Hatter goaltender Patrick Murphy were a significant factor as well. Murphy, who transferred to Hatboro-Horsham from La Salle at midseason, stopped 46 of the 50 shots he saw. His best work came midway through the second period when he made three big saves in a game that was scoreless at the time. He stopped 16 of 18 shots in the third frame.

“I knew I had to come up big,” he said. “We had a lot of shots going into the third period so I knew I had to keep them in the game. Then, they found a way to come back.”

Murphy’s transfer to Hatboro-Horsham marked a return to familiar surroundings. He was a student in the Hatboro-Horsham School District through the eighth grade before pending two-and-a-half years at La Salle.

“In the classroom, it hasn’t been too hard to switch,” he said. “On the ice, I know a lot of kids on the team so it was an easy switch for me.”

Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Vince Forti took some positives away from the loss.

“You’re never really happy with a loss, but I think there were a lot of positive takeaways,” he said. “Fifty shots on goal; their goalie played really well. A couple rebound chances we couldn’t bury here and there.”

• An altercation following a pileup at the Hatboro-Horsham net with 12 seconds left in the game led to 53 minutes in penalties being handed out. The Hatters’ Reid Rochestie received a major penalty for slew footing. He’ll serve a two-game suspension….The Hatters now stand at 14-2 overall. The Colonials are 12-2 overall and in the division.

Hatboro-Horsham 0 0 5—5

P-W 0 2 2—4

Second-period goals: Cooper Kanzee (PW) from Liam Kelly and Daniel Guller, 11:06; Dan Moloney (PW) from Luke Smith and Guller, 14:41 (pp)

Third-period goals: Luca Staffieri (HH) from Kyle Roesing, :56: Reid Rochestie (HH) from Vincent Graziani, 1:31; Graziani (HH) from Staffieri, 3:42; Guller (PW) from Kanzee and Moloney 8:43; Nate Nemchinov (HH) from Staffieri and Roesing, 12:51; Jarrett Olenginski (PW) from Ryan Jagher, 15:01; Staffieri (HH) from Vincent Graziani, 16:02

Shots: Hatboro-Horsham 28, Plymouth Whitemarsh 50; Saves: Patrick Murphy (HH) 46 Lucas Bennett (PW) 23

Pennsbury 4 Pennridge 3

Elite players have a way of taking over a game. Shane Gleisner did just that Thursday night.

The Pennsbury senior delivered three goals, including the game winner, as the Falcons bested Pennridge 4-3 in a SHSHL National matchup at Hatfield Ice.

Gleisner took the ice Thursday night as the National Division’s leading scorer. He now has 34 goals and 16 assists for 50 points in divisional games; 39-19-58 overall, which puts atop him both scoring lists for both goals and points

Being his team’s primary offensive force is a role Gleisner has grown into over the course of his four varsity seasons.

“When I was a freshman, sophomore, and junior, I was working my way up to be the guy,” he said. “It feels good to be relied on. Now that I’m a senior, I’d say I’ve worked out all the mistakes I used to make, so I’m finally ready to be the goal-scoring guy.”

Pennsbury coach Ryan Daley cited Gleisner’s impact.

“He’s had a phenomenal year so far,” Daley said. He was a big role player the year we won the Flyers Cup (2023) and we could tell the best was yet to come with him.

“He just filled into that body, got big, got fast, with one of the hardest shots you’ll see in this league.”

Gleisner’s talents allow the Falcon to employ the up-tempo style Daley prefers.

“That’s kind of been what we’ve tried to have as our calling card the last few years,” Daley said. “This year, we’ve finally got kind of the right pieces again to have that explosive offense, stretch the ice a little bit, get those odd-man rushes.”

Pennsbury (10-4-1, 8-4-1 in the division) had to play from behind early on. The Rams (5-8-1, 5-8), who had just 10 skaters dressed, took a 1-0 lead on Landon Bishop’s goal 3:32 into the opening period. Gleisner tied the game 2:04 into the second frame and after Shane Hicks put the Falcons in front at 9:18 they never trailed again.

Gleisner extended his team’s lead with 5:03 remaining in the period but Pennridge, which had just 10 skaters dressed, refused to go away.

James Rush made it a one-goal game 18 seconds into the final period but Gleisner responded when he finished a solo breakaway 25 seconds later. Even then the Rams refused to yield. Dinsmore made it a 4-3 game with 13:36 still remaining and Pennsbury goaltender Brendan Milliken made some big saves down the stretch to keep his team in front.

“We lost to the best goal scorer in the league this year,” said Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna. “And that’s the way it goes sometimes. He did a great job, he finished the chances he had to. We kept fighting back and came up a little bit short tonight.”

Pennsbury 0 3 1—4

Pennridge 1 0 2—3

First-period goal: Landon Bishop (Pr) from Justin Dinsmore, 3:32

Second-period goals: Shane Gleisner (Pb) from Francis DeLucia, 2:04; Shane Hicks (Pb) from Jake Sarver, 9:18; Gleisner (Pb) from Connor Gray, 11:57

Third-period goals: James Rush (Pr) from Ryan Burke, 2:42; Gleisner (Pb) unassisted, 3:07; Dinsmore (Pr) from Rush, 3:24

Shots: Pennsbury 25, Pennridge 27: Saves: Brendan Milliken(Pb) 24, Andrew Slutsky (Pr) 21

Wissahickon 8 Springfield 5

Wissahickon and Springfield have labored in obscurity much of the season, their efforts limited by roster size. Hatboro-Horsham and Plymouth Whitemarsh have dominated the SHSHL’s American Division, leaving the Spartans, the Trojans (and Abington) in their wake.

But on Thursday night, the Trojans and Spartans were able to compete on an equal footing. The result was an 8-5 Wissahickon win at Hatfield Ice that added to the festive mood on the Trojans’ Senior Night and not incidentally tightened their hold on the third and final American Division playoff slot.

The win improved Wissahickon to 4-7 overall and in the division while Springfield fell to 3-8 overall and 3-7 in divisional play.

The result also allowed Wissahickon to avenge a 10-0 loss to the Spartans on November 20; the teams are scheduled to face each other on two additional occasions before the regular season concludes next month.
Joseph Gambino, one of Wissahickon’s captains, spoke of what the victory meant to him and his teammates and the experience they’re having this season

“This group definitely isn’t the most talented,” he said, “but we have the most heart. Last year on Senior Night we couldn’t get it done for them. It was a heartbreaking OT loss that definitely motivated us this year.

“We came prepared, suits and ties and ready to play and we came out and proved it today. I think that was our best game of the year.”

Wardrobes aside, Wissahickon got contributions from multiple sources. Mack Risnychok had a five-point night with four goals and an assist. Gambino added two goals and an assist while Chase McClintic delivered two goals. Logan Dicus, one of five seniors in the Trojan lineup, chipped in with two assists.

“Like any team I guess eight now, we have a short bench,” said Wissahickon coach James Rumsey. “Each one of them did their part. They all did something special to come out and take the win.”

The teams traded goals for most of the first two periods a before McClintic and Risnychok scored goals 82 seconds apart to put Wissahickon up 6-4 with four minutes left in the second period. Gambino’s goal 3:05 into the third frame have his team some additional breathing room.

Grayson Quinn had a hand in every Springfield goal; he scored their first and added four assists after that.

“After the first period it was 2-2 and each team had nine shots,” said Springfield coach Don Quinn. “You can’t get more even than that.

“We traded goals back and forth and then they took advantage of some mistakes and the net thing.” you know, it’s 8-4.”

Quinn notes his team has some critical games coming over the final month of the regular season.

“We know P-W and Hatboro-Horsham kind of have those one and two positions in our league,” he said. “It’s between us, Wissahickon, and Abington to get that final spot.”

Wissahickon 2 4 2—8

Springfield 2 2 1—5

First-period goals: Mack Risnychok from Logan Honeycutt, 4:41 (pp); Grayson Quinn (S) from Richard Belles, 12:38 Owen Campbell (S) from Grayson Quinn, 14:36; Risnychok from Dryden Jaisle and Logan Dicus, 16:50

Second-period goals: Lincoln Coleman (S) from Quinn, :30; Chase McClintic from Dicus, 5:21; Joseph Gambino from Honeycutt, 7:45; John Barr (S) from Quinn, 9:06; McClintic from Risynchok and Jaisle 11:38 Risnychok unassisted, 13:00

Third-period goals: Gambino from Link Matozzo, 3:05; Gavin McManus (S) from Bennett Warman and Quinn, 5:04; Risnychok from Gambino, 5:57

Shots: Wissahickon 30, Springfield 29; Saves: Fletcher Lynch 24, Emmett Kline (S) 22

Pennridge 7 C.R. South 5

It was a game that featured a little bit of everything. In the end, it was one of the SHSHL’s biggest upsets of recent years.

Pennridge overcame two-goal deficits on three occasions and used five third-period goals to stun Council Rock South 7-5 Wednesday night at Hatfield Ice. The Rams, who started the season by losing five of their first six games, are 4-2-1 in their last seven starts. Wednesday’s win, which was achieved with just 11 skaters and a goaltender lifted them to 5-7-1 overall (5-7 in SHSHL National).

“They deserved that tonight,” said Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna,” because of how much better they’ve gotten this year.

“To be down 2-0, 4-2, and 5-3 and keep coming back, with a short bench and everything. I’m glad they could finish this one, because they’ve come so close against good teams. They deserve this one. I’m just so happy for them right now.”

There was little indication early on that the Rams would prevail. The Golden Hawks (12-2, 9-2) took a 2-0 first-period lead on goals from Jordan Sane and Allen Pruning. Sarne’s goal, just 52 seconds into the game, came on an assist from Jake Weiner that made Weiner the all-time leading scorer in school history.

Landon Bishop scored for Pennridge 6:40 into the second frame and Hames Rush tied the game seven minutes later.

By that point, tempers were flaring and the officials were busy; Rush’s goal came on a power play.

Sarne scored twice in the final 2:08 to give his team a two-goal advantage heading into the final period.

Bishop made it 4-3 on a partial breakaway 4:03 into the third period, bowling over South goaltender Troy Prozzillo in the process. Sarne made it a 5-3 game 74 seconds later but South would not score again. Rush scored his second goal of the game exactly two minutes later and Colby Booth tied the game 8:08 left on a play to that featured considerable traffic in the crease. The scuffle that followed saw Weiner banished after receiving his fourth penalty of the game.

Bishop’s game winner came with 3:40 left in regulation. The junior finished with three goals and five points. Ryan Burke scored into an empty net with three seconds remaining.

“It feels amazing,” Bishop said. “Coming out and beating the second-place team in the league, knowing that only North Penn has beaten them? It’s amazing.”

Bishop said the coaching staff’s encouragement fueled his team’s resurgence.

“Our coaches believe in us,” he said. “We don’t quit when the challenge is real. We just keep pushing through. And get the win.”

Weiner called the loss “Just one of those nights.

“It stings,” he said. “But I was glad it happened right now before playoffs come up.

“But it stings. It definitely was a shock. They played harder today. We didn’t play as hard and that’s what it comes down to.”

• The game included 22 minor penalties, 13 against the Hawks, nine against the Rams. Weiner cane into the game with 214 points. He finished the evening with three assists.

C.R. South 2 2 1—5

Pennridge 0 2 5—7

First period goals: Jordan Sarne (CRS) from Jake Weiner, :52; Allen Pronin (CRS) from Xavier Prozorov, 5:35

Second-period goals: Landon Bishop (P) from Kaden Gunning, 6:40; James Rush (P) from Justin Dinsmore and Bishop, 13:46; Sarne (CRS) from Chase Stratton and Wes Mallon, 14:52; Sarne (CRS) frim Aidan Judge and Weiner, 16:46;

Third-period goals: Bishop (P) unassisted, 4:03; Saene (CRS) from Weiner, 5:17; Rush (P) unassisted, 6:52; Colby Booth (P) from Rush and Dinsmore, 8:52; Bishop (P) from Eush and Dinsmore, 13:20; Ryan Burke (P) from Dean Venner, 16:57 (en)

Shots: Council Rock South 41, Pennridge 30; Saves: Troy Prozzillo (CRS) 23, Andrew Slutsky (P) 36

PW 8 Wissahickon 4

Keeping up. That’s what Plymouth Whitemarsh’s season is about right now.

All season long, the Colonials have been locked in a day-to-day, shift-to-shift duel with Hatboro-Horsham for supremacy in the SHSHL American Division. Their matchup against Wissahickon Wednesday night was another puzzle.

The Colonials took care of business with an 8-4 win, their ninth victory in 10 starts, all in divisional play. They are even with Hatboro-Horsham in the loss column; the teams have split two meetings and are scheduled for two more.

Plymouth Whitemarsh took dominated the first period Wednesday night but led just 1-0 when the period concluded. The goal came off the stick of Brandon Wooldridge 4:35 into the period.

The Colonials took control of the game in the second stanza when goals from John Zawisliak, Wooldridge, Jack Condon, and Cooper Kanzee extended their lead to 5-0 before Wissahickon (3-7 overall and in the division) got on the scoreboard thanks to Mack Risnychok with 61 seconds left in the period.

“We really just kept our foot on the gas, Wooldridge said. “I thought we played well the first period, I think we had (16) shots, just couldn’t bury it but then we figured it out and got it past their goalie (Fletcher Lynch). He played really well today.”

The Trojans didn’t go away. Goals from Joseph Gambino and Logan Honeycutt sandwiched around a Plymouth Whitemarsh goal from Connor Barclay, making it a 6-3 game with 8:32 still left in regulation but Chris London and Dan Guller added additional goals to put the game away.

Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Vince Forti is still striving to get a solid effort from his troops for a full 51 minutes.

“I think we’re still trying to figure out putting in three full periods of work,” he said. “We get a lead and we end up taking our foot off the gas. And we’re wanting to not create a bad habit for the future because it’s not going to work in the playoffs.”

Wissahickon assistant coach Jason Jaisle has just 12 skaters on his roster and that was a factor on this occasion.

“It’s difficult when you only have two lines,” he said. “They’re rolling three-and-a-half. I thought we’d be tired. I wanted to call timeout, {His players} told me not to.

“But other than that, I’m proud of the guys. Every single one of them We played the best team in the league with two lines and the shots were just about even.

Jaisle says his short bench mandates he slow the pace of the game.

“I try to tell the goalie to cover everything and slow the game down,” he said. “If you’re caught in the defensive one just ice it. Just basic one-on-one hockey from Squirt level really. Unfortunately, without the third line, we’re tired.

‘We have to take advantage of every power play chance we get. We have to kill the penalties

Plymouth Whitemarsh 1 4 3—8

Wissahickon 0 1 3—4

First-period goal: Brandon Wooldridge (PW) from Luke Wynn and Carson Wooldridge, 4:35

Second-period goals: John Zawisliak (PW) from Cooper Kanzee, 1:33; B. Wooldridge (PW) from Daniel Guller, 6:33 (pp); Jack Condon (PW) from Luke Smith and Connor Barclay, 10:27; Kanzee (PW) from Guller and Wynne, 15:50; Mack Risnychok from Chase McClintic and Dryden Jaisle, 15:59

Third-period goals: Joseph Gambino unassisted, 3:02 (pp); Barclay (PW) from Condon and Smith, 6:42; Logan Honeycutt Link Matozzo and Gambino, 8:28; Chris London (PW) from Kanzee, 11:46; Guller (PW) from Kanzee and Wynne, 14:16 (sh); Risnychok from McClintic, 16:13

Shots: Plymouth Whitemarsh 49 Wissahickon 33

Saves: Lucas Bennett (PW) 29, Fletcher Lynch 41