SOUDERTON 12 C.B. WEST 0

Ryan Uchniat is having to do some juggling at Souderton this season. Two of the Big Red’s big guns, Drew Savarese and Matt Cross, have been lost for the season with injuries and Uchniat, who is back behind the Souderton bench after taking last season off, is working to fill the resultant holes in his lineup.

“They’re keep parts of our team,” he said. “They have been over the last couple years so it really hurts, not having them, but the team itself is trying to pick up. A lot of it comes down to doing everything by committee.

“We roll three defensemen for the most part. We’ve got so many players shifting in in different areas, and it helps. But, we certainly miss [Savarese and Cross}.”

The pieces of the puzzle all fit together for Souderton Thursday night in the course of a 12-0 win over Central Bucks West at Hatfield Ice, including Alex Archer in goal.

Archer had never played organized hockey at any level before trying out for the Big Red last season. But the junior plays football and lacrosse. Uchniat said his arrival was “A very pleasant surprise.

“I was away from the team, but I heard a lot of good things about him. He picked things up very quickly and he has a very strong will and a strong desire, a strong work ethic.”

Archer transferred his skills from the practice rink to games this season. He became interested in perhaps being a goaltender after watching NHL netminders on TV.

“I just picked it up,” said. “I started playing and I really enjoyed it and stuck with it.”

When Archer first stepped on the ice he was a blank canvas a with no ingrained bad habits, which he says are things a bit less difficult.

“I think so,” he said. “I still have some stuff I don’t really know but I keep practicing and pick things up a little bit.”

Archer’s favorite NHL goaltender to watch is Connor Hellebuyck.

“I think he’s a great role model,” Archer said.

• Souderton took control of Thursday’s game by scoring five times in the game’s first 5:38. Max Ryon was tops on the scoresheet with six goals and three assists. Julia Kaminsky scored five goals a contributed two assists.

The win was the first for the Big Red in three starts.

Isaac Mays stared in goal for the Bucks and made 34 saves before being lifted midway through the second period.

‘Isaac is the backbone of our team,” said West coach Frank Blust. “He was last year and {West} had a tough season as well.

“He’s our backbone and will continue to be,”

C.B. West 0 0—0

Souderton 8 4—12

First-period goals: Julia Kaminski (S) from Jackson Kelly and Max Ryon,:26; Kaminski (S) from Kelly and Evan Siegler, 2:04; Ryon (S) from Kaminski, 2:27; Kaminski (S from Kelly and Caden O’Neill; 330; Ryon (S) from Cameron Fairweather, 5:38 (pp); Kelly (S) from Kaminski and Ryon, 7:55; Ryon (S) unassisted, 8:15; Ryon (S) from Kaminski, 14:24

Second-period goals: Ryon (S) from O’Neill, 12:09; Kaminski (S) from Kelly and Ryon, 12:19; Ryon (S) from Kelly, 13:00; Kaminski (S) from Kelly, 17:00

Shots: C.B. West 8, Souderton 49: Saves: Isaac Mays (CBW) 34, Joseph Carter (CBW) 3; Alex Archer (S) 8

The Joys of High-School Hockey

One in an occasional series

One of the unique and endearing qualities of high-school hockey is the opportunity players have to play with the student-athletes they see in school and in class every day to play in front of friends and classmates the stands.

Council Rock South forward Jordan Sarne says those circumstances make for an atmosphere that’s much different from club hockey. Sarne is part of a South team that was won three consecutive SHSHL National Division titles.

“High school hockey is fun,” he said. “It’s a chance to get out there with your boys and have a good time. I feel like it’s way different than club.

“I love playing with all these boys. They’re close to me. I love it for sure. It’s way better.”

SHSHL Update 11-9-25

National Division W L T OTW OTL SOW SOL Pts

Central Bucks South (3-1) 3 0 0 – – – 6

Council Rock South (3-0) 2 0 0 – – – – 4

North Penn (2-0) 2 0 0 – – – – 4

Neshaminy (2-1) 1 1 0 – – – – 2

Pennridge (1-1) 1 1 0 – – – – 2

Central Bucks East 1 1 0 – – – – 2

Pennsbury (1-2) 0 2 0 – – – – 0

Souderton (0-2) 0 2 0 – – – – 0

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

American Division W L T OTW OTL SHW SOL PTS

Hatboro-Horsham (3-0) 3 0 0 – – – – 6

Plym. Whitemarsh (2-0 2 0 0 – – – – 4

Wissahickon (1-2) 1 2 0 1 – – – 3

Abington (0-1) 0 1 0 – 1 – – 1

Springfield (0-2) 0 2 0 – – – – 0

Scoring

National Division GP G A Pts

Jake Weiner CRS 3 11 6 17

Landon Bishop Pr 3 10 3 13

Ryan Burke Pr 2 1 6 7

Jordan Sarne CRS 3 2 5 7

Cameron Fairweather Sou. 2 2 4 6

Dominic Gibson CBS 3 3 3 6

American Division GP G A Pts

Vincent Graziani HH 3 4 5 9

Daniel Guller PW 2 1 7 8

Joseph Mangin HH 3 5 2 7

Nate Nemchinov HH 3 4 3 7

Cooper Kamze PW 2 5 1 6

Reid Rochestie PW 3 1 5 6

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SHSHL-ICSHL Challenge

Friday 11-7

Council Rock South 7 Father Judge 6 OT

Jake Weiner’s goal 17 seconds into overtime gave the Golden Hawks the win over the Crusaders Friday night at Flyers Skate Zone Northeast. South overcame deficits of 3-0 and 4-2 to take a 5-4 lead in the third period before Nolan Rauch and Jake Ruppert scored goals 35 seconds apart to put Father Judge in front 5-4 with 4:01 left in regulation.

Aidan Guinter tied the game for South with 38 seconds left in regulation on a feed from Weiner to force overtime.

Thursday, 11-6

Lower Merion 6 Neshaminy 2

Brody Navrodnick score two goals in each of the last two periods as Lower Merion overcame an early 1-0 deficit to beat Neshaminy Thursday night in the opening game of the second annual SHSHL-ICSHL Challenge.

Jacob Topoleski scored both Neshaminy goals.

Pennsbury 2 Perkiomen Valley 0

Central Bucks South 4 Pennridge 3

Two teams in transaction crossed paths at Hatfield Ice Thursday night. Pennridge is in the midst of defining the roles of characters in this season’s narrative while Central Bucks South took the ice with holes in its lineup.

In the end, it was the Titans who prevailed 4-3 over a Ram team that refused to go away, C.B. South improved to 3-1 on the season, 3-0 in SHSHL National; its only loss has been to La Salle.

Thursday’s win did not come easy. The Titans were without veterans Jamison Crouch and Damien Hauck who were serving suspensions in the wake of an altercation in Wednesday’s win over Neshaminy. Coach Josh Sklar shuffled his deck as a result.

{The player’ absence} definitely affected us,” he said. “We had a short bench. Everybody’s got to pick up the leash and everybody’s got to do their jobs.”

And so they did. Senior Joey Slobodrian led by example, assisting on the first goal of the night and scoring the second.

“It definitely affected our defense,” he said. “We were out a defenseman and out a forward. But, we got through it. We had two {defensive pairs) so we were kind of tired in the back end.”

Joshua Iyahen-Lucchesi have South a 1-0 lead with 1:55 left in the opening period after Ryan Montagna and Slobodrian sent him down the middle of the ice.

Slobodrian made it 2-0 9;18 into the second frame off a scramble in front during a power play that came about when the Rams’ Justin Dinsmore was flagged for roughing.

Down two goals, the Rams (1-1) did not buckle. Landon Bishop went end to end and solved Titan goaltender Nate Neapolitan to make it a 2-1 game with 6:42 left in the period but Owen Fry answered for the Titans 57 seconds later.

When Grant Boyne made it a 4-1 game 75 seconds into the final period the Tirana’s appeared to have things well in hand. But Bishop scored his second goal of the game 2:46 into the period and James Rush made 4-3 with 8:06 still left forcing the titans to battle hard to the finish.

“We kind of let up at the end of the game,” Slobodrian said. Hopefully we’ll do better next game.”

Sklar praised his troops for stepping up and filling holes when needed.

“Playing short, the guys and the girls on the team did good,” he said. “Everyone picked up the slack.”

Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna left the rink feeling satisfied as well.

“I told them I’m really proud of them,” he said. “I have a lot of guys new to varsity hockey. When they got down 4-1 they could have rolled over {but} they just kept coming. They played a very smart, disciplined game.

“They’re going to get better and better.”

C.B. South 1 2 1—4

Pennridge 0 1 2—3

First-period goal: Joshua Iyahen-Lucchesi (CBS) from Ryan Montagna and Joey Slobodrian, 15:05

Second-period goals: Slobodrian (CBS) from Dominic Gibson and Ryan Frey, 9:18 (pp); Landon Bishop (P) from Justin Dinsmore and James Rush, 10:18; Owen Frey (CBS) from Gibson, 11:15

Third-period goals: Grant Boyne (CBS) unassisted, 1:15; Bishop (P) from Andrew Engle and Ryan Burke, 2:26; Rush (P) from Colby Booth, 8:54

Shots: C.B. South 36, Pennridge 26; Saves: Nate Neapolitan (CBS) 23, Andrew Slutsky (P) 32

Crosover Games Beginning

The idea of teams from the SHSHL and the ICSHL facing each other during the regular season is not new. But last season was the first during which officially scheduled crossover games were utilized by the Flyers Cup Committee and included in the formula that determined rankings and seedings for Flyers Cup participants and would be participants.

That practice will continue this season with 19 crossover games on the schedule. The first two of them are set for Thursday night with Pennsbury facing Perkiomen Valley (7:20 at Grundy Arena) and Lower Merion hosting Neshaminy (8:00 at Skatium).
on Friday, Father Judge will face Council Rock South (6:30 at Flyers Skate Zone Northeast).

Twelve of the 14 SHSHL teams will participate.

“We kind of dabbled with the crossovers last year,” said Pennsbury coach Ryan Daley. Everyone had one. This year we’re doing two which I think is really smart .

“It’s just good to see some new competition. Competition you could very likely see in the Flyers Cup.”

Council Rock South 6 Pennsbury 2

BRISTOL—It didn’t take Jake Weiner long to make an impact Wednesday night. Two minutes, 48 seconds, to be exact.

Weiner, who led the SHSHL in scoring last season, was in top form, giving his team the early lead and collecting three goals and two assists as Council Rock South bested Pennsbury 6 -2 in a SHSHL National matchup at Grundy Arena.

Jordan Sarne, Weiner’s linemate, didn’t do badly either, providing a goal and five assists as the Golden Hawks, the three-time defending division champions won their second straight to start the new season.

It was a tighter game than the final score indicates. South led just 2-1 after the second period before pulling away on the strength of four third-period goals in a span of 8:17.

“We persevered,” said South coach Joe Houk, “and we were good enough to win. Not a great game, not our best. But, we’ll bounce back.”

The Falcons (0-2) hung tough for two periods plus. Connor Gray lifted Pennsbury into a 1-1 tie with 5:22 left in the opening period with a shot from the top of the right circle that eluded South goaltender Troy Prozzillo.

The only goal of the middle period came from South’s Allen Pronin on a setup from Weiner and Sarne on a play that started on the deep right wing.

Starting the third frame the game was up for grabs but Sarne’s goal at 1:55 gave South some breathing room. Weiner, Nathaniel Grinberg, and Weiner again followed with additional goals to make it a 6-1 game with 6:48 left in regulation.

Shane Hicks added a consolation goal for Pennsbury with 4:46 left.

“They’re a good team over there,” Weiner said of the Falcons. “They have great coaches over there.

“We just worked. {Houk} always says ‘Work hard and we’ll find a way to win.’ That’s what we did tonight.”

Pennsbury coach Ryan Daley praised his team’s effort, which included 47 saves from goaltender Brendan Milliken.

“I’m really happy with the way we played,” he said. “It was very encouraging. They got that third goal on a broken play that we had a great chance to get out. Our guy gets tripped up a little, the play comes back the other way, they score.

“It was a little deflating. We kind of took our eye off the ball for a little it and they converted.”

Houk stresses that his two big guns do the little things well on a night-to-night basis, which sets an example for the rest of the lineup.

“It’s real important” Houk said, “because I preach to these guys about the little things you do in games that make a difference whether you win or lose. And, when they do all the right things all the time, they make mistakes, but the other guys feed off of that.”

Pennsbury 1 0 1–2

CR. South 1 1 4—6

First-period goals: Jake Weiner (CRS) from Jordan Sarne, 2:48; Connor Gray (P) unassisted, 11:38

Second-period goal: Allen Pronin (CRS) from Weiner and Sarne, 15:47

Third-period goals: Sarne (CRS) from Weiner, 1:55; Weiner (CRS) from Sarne, 7:54; Nathaniel Grinberg (CRS) from William Hollis and Chase Strattan, 8:22; Weiner (CRS) from Sarne, 10:12; Shane Hicks (P) unassisted, 12:14

Shots: Pennsbury 32, C.R. South 53; Saves: Brendan Milliken (P) 47, Troy Prozzillo (CRS) 30

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SHSHL Previews

National Division

Central Bucks East

Coach: Jeff Mitchell (sixth season)

Last year: 10-10-1, 10-7-1 in divisional play; Class AA Flyers Cup invitee

Key players: So. Cameron Young (G); Sr. Alex Wilson (F); Sr. Ethan Cenci (F); Sr. Braedon Hahn (F); Sr. Evan Asimakopoulos (F); Sr. Cole Kleindienst (F)

Outlook: The Patriots are a team in transition, in Mitchell’s words “Retooling rather than rebuilding.” Some key pieces from last year’s team are lost to graduation. There may be early growing pains but the plan is to blend youthful energy and team chemistry to create success.

Central Bucks South

Coach: Josh Sklar (first season)

Last year: 17-7, 15-3 in divisional play; Class AA Flyers Cup invitee

Key players: Jr. Nathan Napolitano (G); Sr. JD Crouch (D); So. Braxton Lord (D); Sr. Ryan Frey (F); Sr. Ryan Montagna (F); Sr. Joey Slobodrian (F); Jr. Dominic Gibson (F); Jr. Grant Boyne (F); Fr. Owen Frey (F); Fr. Nolan Senigo (F)

Outlook: Sklar takes over for the retiring Shaun McGinty; he directed the Titans on an interim basis during portions of last season.

This year’s roster will feature a solid group of veterans, led by Napolitano in goal and a promising group of underclassmen.

The pieces are in place for a promising season.

Central Bucks West

Coach: Frank Blust (first season)

Last year: 0-18, 0-18 in divisional play

Key players: Jr. Issac Mays (G); Sr. Austin Griffin (D); Jr. Colin Murray (F/D); Sr. Jackson Hirsch (F); Jr. Alex Korolev (F); So. Tyler Ricci (F)

Outlook: Blust takes over behind the bench for Dave Baun, who retired after 20 seasons. He’s looking to field a lineup that blends youth and experience.

“We’ve brought back a nice core that I think will work well with some of our new faces,” Bust said. “They’ve worked hard to improve in all three zones and build some team chemistry.”

Council Rock South

Coach: Joe Houk (20^th season)

Last year: 22-3, 17-1 in divisional play, National Division champions; Class AA Flyers Cup finalist

Key players: Sr. Trey Prozzillo (G); So. Evan Ayala (G); Jr. Wes Mallon (D); Sr. Jake Weiner; Sr. Jordan Sarne (F)

Outlook: The Golden Hawks lost eight seniors off last year’s championship squad but Houk, the longest-tenured coach in the SHSHL, feels good about this year’s squad, which will be trying for its fourth straight National Division title and is poised to make another championship run.

Weiner led the SHSHL in scoring last season with 41 regular-season goals and 19 assists for 60 points. Sarne collected 41 points via 18 goals and 23 assists.

Neshaminy

Coach: Bill Mooney (second season)

Last year: 6-12-1, 5-12-1 in divisional play

Key players: Sr. Gianna Raggio (G); Fr. Tommy Fox (G); Jr. Sean Mooney (D); Fr. Kainen Thompson (D); Sr. Anthony DiCrosta (F); Sr. Angelo Veneziale (F); Sr. Jake Topoleski (F); So. Nate Parker F; So. Tyler Hathaway (F); So. Eli Kirsh (F); Fr. Chris Koehler (F)

Outlook: The ‘Skins lost three key players to graduation after last season and will be in adjustment mode at first after just missing the postseason a year ago.

“Our goals as a team this season are to continue to work hard, compete in every game,” Mooney said, “make the SHSHL playoffs and get an invite to this year’s Flyers Cup tournament.”

North Penn

Coach: Kevin Vaitis (17^th season)

Last year: 21-3, 16-2 in divisional play; Class AA Flyers Cup and state champions

Key players: Jr. Aidan Quigley (G); So. Any Norton (G); St. James Boyle (D); Sr. Danielle Cabrales (D); Sr. Chase Kelly Del-Ricci (D); Sr. Gabe Dunn (D); Jr. Sam Norton (F); Sr. Nolan Shingle (F); Jr. Chris Silvotti (F); St. Luke Haftel (F)

Outlook: When you’ve won a Flyers Cup and a state title, what do you do for an encore? North Penn will do its best to answer that question with an impressive corps of returnees.

Norton is second among the division’s returning scorers with 30 regular-season goals a year ago and 27 assists for 57 points.

“We know everyone is going to bring their best against us,” Vaitis said, “and we have to be ready every night we step on the ice. We will be led by great goaltending, strong defense, and multiple lines that can contribute up front. We are focused on getting better each week.”

Pennsbury

Coach: Ryan Daley

Last year: 6-14, 6-12 in divisional play

Key players: Sr. Brendan Milliken (G); Sr. Franky DeLucia (D); Jr. Connor Gray (D); Sr. Shane Gleisner (F); Jr. Jake Sarver (F)

Outlook: A young Falcon team went through some growing pains last season. But the additional year of experience will pay dividends this time around.

“With more experience at the varsity level we look to make a jump in the standings,” Daley said, “and push for another postseason run.”

Pennridge

Coach: Jeff Montagna (eighth season)

Last year: 14-9, 11-7 in divisional play; Class AA Flyers Cup quarterfinalist

Key players: Jr. Andrew Slutsky (G); St. Justin Dinsmore (D); r. Ryan Burke (F); Jr. Landon Bishop (F); Jr. Dean Venner (F); Sr. Kaden Gunning (F);

Outlook: Montagna is behind the bench after announcing he was stepping away at the close of last season. He’ll be presiding over a new era of Pennridge hockey; there are just skaters on the roster, four of whom are new to varsity competition.

“I told them it will be a challenge,” Montagna said, “but that they will find out a lot about themselves as players and competitors. We will have to play a completely different style but they are up for it and we will have some fun with it. I’m really excited to see how it works.”

Souderton

Coach: Ryan Uchniat (eighth season)

Last year: 6-13, 6-12 in divisional play

Key players: Sr. Max Ryon (F); Jr. Cameron Fairweather (F); Jr. Matthew Cross (F)

Outlook: Uchniat will be back behind the Souderton bench after taking a year off. The Big Red will be short in numbers but there are some game-changing players in the lineup. Ryon scored 26 regular-season goals last year and added 32 assists for 58 points to finish third in the National Division in scoring.

American Division

Abington

Coach: Ken Brzozowski (ninth season)

Last year: 0-16, 0-16 in divisional play

Key players: Jr. Matt Evangelist (G); Sr. Moses Garcia (D); Jr. Ben Biko (D); R. Liam Gura (D); Sr. Jamison Donofty (F); So. Joey Widmeier (F)

Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts will be one of the youngest teams in the SHSHL; there are just three senior on the roster. The lineup also features Evangelist, a quality goaltender.

A preseason camp at the University of Delaware got the team off on the right foot.

“We’re looking to build on the early season momentum” Brzozowski said. “The coaches are committed to and look forward to being part of the team’s continued improvements and progression towards returning Abington back to a championship level”

Hatboro-Horsham

Coach: Shane Smith (fifth season)

Last year: 12-9, 9-7 in divisional play; American Division champion, Class A Flyers Cup quarterfinalist

Key players: Jr. Eric Miller (G); Jr. Reid Rochestie (D); So. Joseph Magnon (F); Sr. Nate Nemchinov (F); So. Vincent Graziani (F) Jr. William Moffa (F)

Outlook: The Hatters come into the season off an American Division title and the first Flyers Cup win in school history.

Graziani with 22 goals and 25 assists (47 points) and Nemchinov (27-18-45) were second and third in the division in scoring last season.

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Coach: Vince Forti (second season)

Last year: 17-3, 15-1 in divisional play; American Division regular season champion, Class A Flyers Cup quarterfinalist

Key players: So. Max Yoder (G); So. Lucas Bennett (G); Sr. Ryan Jagher (D); Sr. Danny Guller (F-D); Sr. John Zawislak (F); So. Cooper Kanze (F)

Outlook: The Colonials return the bulk of the lineup of last year’s regular-season champions.

“We are looking forward to getting the year started,” Forti said. “The team chemistry has been great. Our guys have been practicing hard, unsatisfied with the results of last season. We hope to get off to a strong start and continue to build on that throughout the season. “

Guller (19 goals, 33 assists, 52 points) is the division’s top returning scorer.

Springfield (Montco)

Coach: Don Quinn (third season)

Last year: 8-9, 8-8 in divisional play

Key players: Fr. Emmett Kline(G), So. John Barr(D), Jr. Luke Belles (D); Sr. Gavin McManus(F), Sr. Kellen Warman(F), Sr. Grayson Quinn(F)

Outlook: The Spartans reached the playoffs a year ago and Quinn is hoping to use that as accomplishment as a springboard to success this season.

“We will rely heavily on our seniors to lead on and off the ice,” he said, and we have some young skilled players that will contribute this season.”

Wissahickon

Coach: James Rumsey (third season)

Last year: 8-9, 8-8 in divisional play

Key players: Sr. Fletcher Lynch (G); St. Logan Dicus (D), Jr. Joey Gambino (F); Jr. Logan Honeycutt (F); Jr. Mark Risnychok (F)

Outlook: The Trojans lost five seniors to graduation but Rumsey is excited about what lies ahead.

“We are excited to see the new generation of players take the ice and step up to the challenge,” he said. “Our players seem to have a great connection at practice and really seem to enjoy being on the ice together.

“We have a short bench in numbers but a lot of grit to make up for it. I have no doubt this group will leave everything they have on the ice this year.”

North Penn 3 C.B. East 1

The Suburban High School Hockey League’s 53rd season got off to a sizzling start Wednesday night. Reigning Class AA Flyers Cup and state champion North Penn picked up where it left off last March and celebrated the club’s 50th anniversary with a 3-1 win over Central Bucks East at Hatfield Ice’s Blue Rink which was filled with friends, supporters, and former Knights.

The final score was not indicative of the flow of the game. All the scoring came in the first period. Luke Haftel, Derek Laguna and Nolan Shingle found the back of the net for the Knights while Ethan Cenci scored for the Patriots, who were outshot 58-10.

Cameron Young, East’s sophomore goaltender, made a strong case for being the best players on the ice; he finished with 55 saves.

“Fifty-nine shots and three goals,” said North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis. He really kept them in it.

“A two-goal lead is the worst lead in hockey. One goal either way can really turn the game.”

Young was at his best in the opening frame when he stopped 21 of 24 shots.

“I know this is going in the loss column,” said East coach Jeff Mitchell, “but for as young a team as we have I was very impressed with my boys tonight and most importantly, my goaltender.

“How can we give up {58} shots and there are only three goals up on that board? We’ve been very rich in high-end goaltenders in my tenure here. That was a performance that almost tops them all.”

Haftel’s opening goal came 5:16 into the game off a setup from Landon Hofstetter. Cenci answered for East at the 9:37 mark.

Laguna’s game winner came off a scramble in front with 2:17 left in the period. Shingle extended his team’s lead off a shorthanded breakaway that started via a deep carom off the wall on the Patriots’ offensive right wing.

For the Knights it was seemingly business as usual off of last year’s laurels. But Vaitis noted it was just a first step.

“We had a great season last year obviously,” he said. “But right now we’re 1-0 and it’s a long way to March. We’ve got to take it one game at a time and get better each week.”

• Prior to the game there was a ceremony commemorating North Penn’s 50th anniversary as a club. Plaques were presented to longtime board Dan Vaitis (Kevin’s father) who is currently the club president and longtime assistant coach Frank Stumpo who also serves as the club’s treasurer.

Kevin Vaitis was glad to see the turnout of former Knights.

“There’s a lot of people that have been involved over the years,” he said. “Just to see some of the alumni here tonight coming out to cheer the guys on, it really goes a long way.”

C.B. East 1 0 0—1

North Penn 3 0 0—3

First-period goals: Luke Haftel (NP) from Landon Hofstetter, 5:16; Ethan Cenci (CBE) from Evan Asimakopoulos and Colen Kleindienst, 9:37; Derek Lugara (NP) from Sam Norton, 14:43; Nolan Shingle (NP) from Chase Boyle and Chase Kelly Del Ricci, 16:38 (sh)

Shots: C.B. East 10, North Penn 58; Saves: Cameron Young (CBE) 55, Aidan Quigley (NP) 9

The Community Comes Together for Philadelphia Blind Hockey

The area’s scholastic hockey community came together Friday night in the support of the Philadelphia Blind Hockey organization. The occasion was the third annual Blindness Awareness Showcase.

Some 50 athletes from 10 different high schools, split into two teams. assembled at Hatfield Ice in support of the effort.

Team Orange included players from Holy Ghost Prep, Pennridge, Central Bucks East, Father Judge, and Central Bucks South. Team Black featured players from Conestoga (girls), North Penn, Holy Ghost Prep, Pennridge, and Malvern Prep.

This year’s showcase featured a new format. Instead of a series of cross-ice fames, as had been the case in the past, the two teams played three 17-minute running-clock periods utilizing the full 200 x 85 surface of the arena’s Gray Rink. The players wore goggles that simulated various vision disorders while goaltenders were blindfolded.

For the record, Team Orange prevailed on the scoreboard but the real winner was Philadelphia Blind Hockey was the beneficiary of the evening’s ticket sales and drawings.

North Penn senior forward Luke Haftel took part in last year’s showcase and has been on the ice for Philadelphia Blind Hockey practices, working the visually impaired youngsters who share his love for hockey. He said utilizing the entire ice surface gave the event a different feel.

“It was a little different than last year, “from half ice to the full sheet. Everyone was having a good time, being able to play the full ice.

Haftel utilized several sets of goggles that allowed he and his peers to experience various eye issues.

“You switch throughout the game, you see different types,” he said. “So, kids experience them and have an understanding of how we’re raising awareness.”

Penncrest junior forward Donovan Scheidley has worked with Philadelphia Blind Hockey players in the but had never taken the ice wearing goggles until Friday night.

“I tried every one on for at least one shift,” he said. “I think it was really interesting.”

With his vision restricted, Scheidley found himself relying heavily on his sense of hearing.

“When you don’t have your sight, it’s surprising to see how much you rely on your hearing,” he said.

Holy Ghost Prep senior defenseman Chris Marshall was making his first showcase appearance. He says working with Philadelphia Blind Hockey participants helped forge a connection between those players and he and his Firebird teammates.

“That’s the most important part,” he said. “I think it’s a great experience for them to feel included and to be a part of our team.”

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