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Monday, March 16
Class A Final
Tuesday, March 17
Class AAA Final
Class AA Final
Thursday, March 19
Girls Final
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
Here is the schedule for the remainder of the 47th Flyers Cup
Fifteen of the top 16 seeds (four in each classification) have reached the semifinals.
Tuesday March 10
Class A Semifinals
Hershey 7 West Chester East 1
Penncrest 5 Kennett 2
Wednesday, March 11
Girls Semifinals
Avon Grove 9 West Chester East 1
Lower Merion 3 Downingtown West 2
Thursday, March 12
Class AAA Semifinals
Class AA Semifinals
Monday, Match 16
Class A Final 6:30 at Ice Line
Tuesday, March 17
Class AA Final TBD at Hatfield
Class AAA Final TBD at Hatfield
Thursday, March 19
Girls Final 7:00 at PNY
They sent up camp in the offensive zone early on and never really left. West Chester Henderson applied pressure from the opening faceoff and kept it up for a full 51 minutes. The result was a 6-2 win over Plymouth Whitemarsh Monday night in the opening round of the Class A Flyers Cup at Hatfield Ice.
The ninth-seeded Warriors (6-12-1) will face top-seeded Hershey in Thursday’s quarterfinals. The eighth-seeded Colonials closed the season at 14-4.
Henderson set the tone from the start. Harrison Eller got the Warriors in on the scoreboard 2:34 into the opening period when he beat Lucas Bennett from close range. That goal established a pattern for the balance of the period. Cooper Kanze tied the game for the Colonials with 2:55 left in the period on a shot that Warrior goaltender Ian Stefanovski probably wished he could have another look at, but Aller put his team back in front just eight seconds later.
By the time the period ended, the Warriors had launched 16 shots. It was Bennett’s work in goal that kept the Colonials close.
“Breakout is something we talk about a lot,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Vince Forti. “Obviously, we struggled a little bit. Getting the puck out of the zones quick is a priority for the defense. You don’t want to give good teams extra zone time. It leads to extra chances and that’s how goals go in.”
Forti acknowledged that Henderson scoring first put his team in a hole they never could escape.
“There was some stat that said s scoring the first goal gives you a 70 percent chance of winning,” he said. “We usually want to get the first one. Unfortunately, they did. And we were just kind of chasing the game ever since then.”
Anthony Barthol extended Henderson’s lead 2:46 into the second period. Kanze scored his second goal of the night exactly 10 minutes later to send the teams into the post-second period ice cut just one goal apart on the scoreboard.
But Henderson separated itself once more when Declan Herr scored from the left wing that found space inside the near post, a shot Bennett appeared not to see. Miles Donnelly essentially shut the door with a power-play goal with 2:47 remaining.
Barthol added an empty net goal with 1:17 left.
The Warriors finished with a 49-20 advantage in shots.
It was a disappointing end to an impressive season.
“I think the guys played well all season,” Forti said. “It’s tough way to end a good season, so it doesn’t feel like it in the moment but overall, I think they did a lot of good things.”
West Chester Henderson 2 1 3
Plymouth Whitemarsh 1 1 0—6
First-period goals: Harrison Aller (WCH) from Miles Donnelly, 2:36; Cooper Kanze (PW) from Dan Moloney, 14:05; Aller (WCH) from Anthony Barthol and Decal Dowd, 14:13
Second-period goals: Barthol (WCH) from Dowd and Aller, 2:46; Kanze (PW) from Dan Guller and Brandon Wooldridge, 12:46 (sh)
Third-period goals: Declan Herr (WCH) from Donnelly and Dowd, :49; Donnelly (WCH) from Dowd, 13:13 (pp); Barthol (WCH) unassisted, 15:43 (en):
Shots: West Chester Henderson 49, Plymouth Whitemarsh 20 Saves: Ian Stefanovski (WCH) 18, Lucas Bennett (PW) 43
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
They set the pace early and didn’t let up.
Central Bucks South defeated three-time SHSHL champion Council Rock South, 2-0, in a National Division semifinal on Wednesday night at Grundy Arena.
Jamison Crouch put the Titans on the board just 36 seconds into the game, with assists from Joseph Slobodrian and Ryan Montagna.
It would prove to be the only goal the Titans needed, but Ryan Frey added an insurance goal 10 minutes later, also assisted by Slobodrian.
“That first goal really set the tone for us,” said Frey, a senior. “We knew we were going to get the first goal, it was just a matter of how. To get it on the first shift was huge. That gave us the momentum and it stuck with us the whole game.
“I thought our D zone was lot better than it usually is. We got pucks out when we needed to. We got traffic in front of their goalie early, that’s how we scored those two goals and overall I thought we played a very good game.”
The teams split in the regular season.
“We knew this was going to be a good game,” Frey said. “We knew we had to get on their goalie early and we did and that’s how we were able to win this one.
“I honestly didn’t think that lead was going to hold up. I thought it was going to be one of those games were we scored, then they scored and back and forth. I’m so glad we won.”
The Golden Hawks pulled goaltender Trey Prozzillo with 2:28 to go in the third period in a last-ditch effort to score, but were thwarted by CB South’s defense.
CB South advances to Thursday night’s final against top seed North Penn, an 11-1 winner over Pennsbury in the other semifinal.
“Winning this game gives us so much confidence,” Frey said. “We have three big wins coming into it. We have momentum and we’re going to go into that game with a lot of energy and hopefully pull out a nice win.”
CB South’s last league title was in 2018.
“It’s always exciting to be playing for a league title,” said CB South goaltender Nathan Napolitano, a junior. “Playing for a championship is always fun.”
The Titans have lost twice to the Knights this season.
“We want to play North Penn again,” Napolitano said. “We gave them two of our not-best efforts so we play them well, and we’ll see what happens.”
The early lead gave him confidence in the team.
“A lead is always easier than trying to keep your team in it,” he said. “When they got the first one, my job got easier.”
CB South 2 0 0—2
CR South 0 0 0—0
First-period goals: Jamison Crouch (CBS) from Joseph Slobodrian and Ryan Montagna, 0:36; Ryan Frey (CBS) from Slobodrian, 10:32
Shots: CB South 27, CR South 27; Saves: Nathan Napolitano (CBS) 27, Trey Petrillo (CRS) 25
Hatboro-Horsham broke open a one-goal game by scoring six times in the second period en route to an 11-1 win over Springfield Wednesday night in the SHSHL Class A semifinal at Hatfield Ice.
The contest was stopped with 1:56 left in the third period via the 10-goal rule.
The second-seeded Hatters (16-3), the defending champions, will face top-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh at 8:30 Thursday night at the same venue as they try to complete a successful title defense.
Vince Graziani led the barrage for the Hatters with a four-goal outburst. Nate Nemchinov scored twice and five other players scored one goal each.
Patrick Murphy made 35 saves in goal.
Lincoln Coleman provided Springfield’s only goal, in the third period.
Graziani opened the scoring seven seconds into the game but that was the only goal of the opening period.
He added two goals in a pan of 1:53 early in the second period and the Hatter pulled away after that.
“The beginning of the game was a real battle,” said Hatboro-Horsham coach Shane Smith. “We scored in the first minute and then it was back and forth. We ended up pulling away for the win.
“The team is excited and looked forward to tomorrow’s game against Plymouth Whitemarsh.”
Springfield coach Don Quinn credited his team for its effort.
“Now how we wanted it to end,” he said, “but I’m proud of my team for playing with respect and class to the very end of the game.”
For Quinn, the evening marked the end of an era. He coached his older son, Owen last season and younger son Grayson completed his senior season Wednesday night.
“I will cherish every minute I got to coach them and share the ice with them,” he said.”
Springfield 0 0 1—1
Hatboro-Horsham 1 6 4—11
First-period goal: Vince Graziani (HH) unassisted :07
Second-period goal: Graziani (HH) from Luca Staffieri, 5:24; Graziani (HH) from Evan Snow, 7:17; Nate Nemchinov (HH) from Staffieri and Kyle Roesing, 10:08; Staffieri (HH) unassisted, 14:47; Joseph Mangin (HH) from Aidan North, 16:33; Graziani (HH) from Nemchinov, 16:41
Third-period goals Giovanni Bucci (HH) from Mangin, 1:08; Lincoln Coleman (S) from Gavin McManus, 4:09; Roesing (HH) from Nick Gallo and Bucci, 9:52; Nemchinov (HH) unassisted, 13:26; Snow (HH) from Cole Meyer, 15:04
Shots: Springfield 36, Hatboro-Horsham 53; Saves Emmett Kline (S) 42, Patrick Murphy (HH) 35
The North Penn Express kept rolling on Wednesday night. Chris Silvotti delivered three goals and three assists while Samuel Norton and James Boyle delivered two goal=s each as the Knights routed Pennsbury 11-1 in a SHSHL National Division semifinal at Hatfield Ice.
Top-seeded North Penn (21-1) will host third seed Council Rock South in Thursday’s final (6:10 start)13-6-1.
Pennsbury (13-6-1) the fourth seed, will move on to the Flyers Cup and prepare to face Haverford High Tuesday night.
It didn’t take long Wednesday night for North Penn and Silvotti in particular to get rolling. Silvotti scored twice with a goal from Daniel Cabrales in between to give North Penn a 3-0 10:01 into the first period. Shane Gleisner scored what would be Pennsbury’s only goal with 4:55 left in the opening session but James Boyle and Silvotti answered before the period ended.
Samuel Norton scored twice in a span of 2:23 early in the second frame and Declan Leahy, Boyle, and Liker Haftl added additional goals before the contest was halted via the 10-goal rule with 4:28 left in the third period.
The Knights accumulated 52 shots on goal
“The boys played really well tonight,” said North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis. “That’s a a very good Pennsbury team and they played us tough twice earlier in the year. We knew we had to play our A game tonight and I thought we played really well in all zones of the ice.”
Vaitis says his team will have to step up against the Titans Thursday night.
“They knocked us out of the league playoffs last year so it would be nice to win and get some revenge for that game this year,” he said. “However they are a very good team so we need to repeat our performance tomorrow night if we want to win again. We have to be ready. “
Pennsbury 1 0 0—1
North Penn 5 3 3—11
First-period goals: Chris Silvotti (NP) from Derek Lugara and Declan Leahy; 1:43; Daniel Cabrales (NP) unassisted, 4:34; Silvotti (NP) from Chase Kelly Del Ricci and Declan Willison, 10:01; Shane Gleisner (NP) from Francis DeLucia, 12:05; James Boyle (NP) from D. Cabrales and Silvotti, 14:13; Silvotti (NP) frim Lugara, 15:45
Second-period goals: Samuel Norton (NP) from Nolan Shingle, 3:07 Norton (NP) from Ismael Caabrales 3:30; Leahy (NP) from Silvotti and D. Cabrales, 14:07
Third-period goals: Boyle (NP) from Silvotti, 1:57; Luke Haftel (NP) from Gabriel Dunn and Boyle, 12:32; Landon Hostetter (NP) from Tyler Evans and Milo Little, 15:23
Shots: Pennsbury 27, North Penn 52; Saves: Brendan Milliken (P) 41, Aidan Quigley (NP) 26
National Division
First Team
F Jake Weiner Sr. Council Rock South
F Shane Gleisner Sr. Pennsbury
F Samuel Norton Jr. North Penn
D James Boyle Sr. North Penn
D Jamison Crouch Sr. Central Bucks South
G Andy Norton So. North Penn
Second Team
F Max Ryon Sr. Souderton
F Jordan Sarne Sr. Council Rock South
F Chris Silvotti Jr. North Penn
D Ben Dempsey So. Central Bucks East
D John Lord So. Central Bucks South
G Isaac Mays Sr. Central Bucks West
American Division
First Team
F Vince Graziani So. Hatboro-Horsham
F Nate Nemchinov Sr. Hatboro-Horsham
F Dan Guller Sr. Plymouth Whitemarsh
D Logan Dicus Sr. Wissahickon
D Ryan Jaegher Sr. Plymouth Whitemarsh
G Matt Evangelist Jr. Abington
Second Team
F Grayson Quinn Sr. Springfield
F Cooper Kanzee So. Plymouth Whitemarsh
F William Moffa Jr. Hatboro-Horsham
D Luca Staffieri Jr. Hatboro-Horsham
D Reid Richestie Jr. Hatboro-Horsham
G Max Yoder So. Plymouth Whitemarsh
Players were selected by league coaches
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Forty-two teams have been selected for the 47th edition of the Flyers Cup tournament. Action will begin on Monday, March 2.
The Class AAA and girls’ brackets will be comprised of seven teams each. There will be 16 teams in Class AA and 12 in Class A.
Here are the matchups and seedings. Game sites and times will be added when available.
Class AAA 7 teams
1 Holy Ghost Prep bye
4 Malvern Prep vs 5 Devon Prep
3 La Salle vs 6 Father Judge
2 St. Joseph’s Prep vs 7 Salesianum
Class AA 16 teams
1 North Penn vs 16 Shawnee
8 Owen J. Roberts vs 9 Avon Grove
4 Conestoga vs 13 Central Bucks East
5 Downingtown West vs 12 Pennridge
2 Boyertown vs 15 Souderton
7 Haverford vs 10 Pennsbury
3 Council Rock South vs 14 Spring-Ford
6 Central Bucks South vs 11 Downingtown East
Class A 12 teams
1 Hershey bye
8 Plymouth Whitemarsh vs 9 West Chester Henderson
4 West Chester East bye
5 Marple Newtown vs 12 West Chester Rustin
2 Penncrest bye
7 Garnett Valley vs. 10 Palmyra
3 Kennett bye
6 Hatboro-Horsham vs 11 Radnor
Girls 7 Teams
1 Avon Grove bye
4 Conestoga vs 5 West Chester East
2 Downingtown West vs 7 Pennridge
3 Lower Merion Maroon vs 6 Radnor
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