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.

The Grundy Skate Shop is a full-service hockey pro shop inside the Grundy Arena, offering a great selection of equipment, brands and various services. We do a full range of repairs as well as offer custom hockey jerseys. Owner Bill Keyser, has over 25 years experience in the industry and specializes in skate sharpening, including profiling. Please visit our Facebook page or stop in and check us out!

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

If you or a family member, or friend are looking for a dentist, we’re proud to recommend All Smiles Family Dentistry. They’re located at 1620 South Broad Street in Lansdale.

Dr. Caroline Hsu, Dr. Azure Pelberg and their staff provide high-quality dental care in a caring, nurturing environment. They’ve been taking care of my teeth for 25 years and I would recommend them to anyone. Going to the dentist can be an unsettling experience but everyone at All Smiles Family Dentistry will work to put you at ease.

Call for an appointment at 215-616-0609 or e-mail them at allsmilesfamilydentistry@verizon.net. You can also find them on line at www.allsmileslansdale.com.

Utilize Hockey Happenings to promote your product, service, event, or organization. Get details at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com

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.

SHSHL Update

Standings through 1-15-21

National/Continental Divisdions W L T OTL Pts

Central Bucks East 1 0 0 0 2

Council Rick South 1 0 0 0 2

Neshaminy 1 0 0 0 2

North Penn 1 0 0 0 2

Pennridge 0 0 0 0 0

Pennsbury 0 0 0 1 1

Central Bucks South 0 1 0 0 0

Central Bucks West 0 1 0 0 0

Souderton 0 1 0 0 0

American Division W L T OTL Pts

Wissahickon 1 0 0 0 2

Abington 1 0 0 2 2

Hatboro-Horsham 1 1 0 0 0

Quakertown 0 0 0 1 1

Truman 0 0 0 1 1

Plymouth Whitemarsh 0 1 0 0 0

William Tenennt 0 1 0 0 0

Central Bucks East 11, Central Bucks West 1

HATFIELD— Like other high-school teams in the area, Central Bucks East waited a long time to play hockey. The Patriots took the ice against Central Bucks West Thursday night at Hatfield Ice with an abundance of energy and it showed.

Adam Bostock scored five goals as the Patriots rolled to an 11-1 season-opening SHSHL win.
With one of the area’s most experienced lineups on hand, East enters the season with high expectations. Thursday’s performance did nothing to diminish those expectations.

Bostock gave his team the lead just 56 seconds after the opening faceoff. He completed a hat trick before the first period ended with his team leading 6-0. But three other players also scored goals, a sign of the balance the Patriots are looking to find.

“It’s hard to get a solid third or fourth line running around,” said East coach Jeff Mitchell. “But, I’m mainly going to put that on my upperclassmen. They’re their on the first and second lines to to show the lesser lines what to do, where their other guys are at. It’s just communication and chemistry,”

The Patriots stretched the lead to 9-0 by the end of the second frame. Bostock, a senior, stressed the importance of the veterans showing the way.

“I think it’s very important for the seniors to step up and lead the younger guys,” he said. “The younger guys are going to have four more years of this, so we have to teach them how to do it and continue the legacy for us at East.”

Chris Mangiacapre joined Bostock as a multiple-goal scorer, scoring twice. Matt Mangiacapre finished his night’s work with 19 saves in goal.

Ryan Haywood scored West’s only goal 4:11 into the third period. For a young Bucks squad, Thursday’s game was baptism under live fire. Kyle Fasolak started in goal but was relieved by Liam Rogers before the first period ended.Rogers wound up being credited with 56 saves.

“What our job is right now is take a young group and teach them how to play,” said West coach Dave Baun, “and get them to play as a team and play up to their capabilities.

“I think we have some talent, we have some players with good attitudes, and if you have thosetwo things they can take you a long way.”

Notes—Chris McIntryre, who was expected to be the Patriots’ starting goaltender this year, has given up hockey. McIntyre, a senior, is planning to enlist in the United States Marine Corps following graduation.

C.B. East 6 3 2—11
C.B. West 0 0 1—1
First-period goals: Adam Bostock (CBE) unassisted, :56; Chris Mangiacapre (CBE) from Bostock, second assist unavailable, 1:41; Bostock (CBE) from Connor Keiser and Ian Treger, 6:39; Tyler Godwin (CBE) from Keiser and Treger, 7:33; Phil McIntyre (CBE) unassisted, 9:56.
Second-period goals: Bogdan Bordadenko (CBE) from Bostock and Keiser, 1:33 (pp); Bostock (CBE) from Boradenko and McIntyre, 5:16; Chris Mangiacapre (CBE) from Ryan Gerken and Chris Asimakopoulos, 8:18.
Third-period goals: Ryan Haywood (CBW) from Nick Bruno, 4:14; Keiser (CBE) from Shane West, 7:12; Bostock (CBE) unassisted, 10:43.
(Game terminated via 10-goal rule).
Shots: C.B. East 72, C.B. West 20; Saves: Matt Mangiacapre (CBE) 19; Kyle Fasolak (CBW) 5 and Liam Rogers (CBW) 56

In other games:

Hatboro-Horsham 7, Plymouth Whitemarsh 5

North Penn 10, Souderton 0

Malvern Prep 9, West Chester East 5

Check out the latest Flyers Cup podcast featuring Rick Woelfel and Flyers Cup Committee President Eric Tye at http://www.buzzsprout.com/213400

If you’d like to promote your product or service on this web site, contact us for more information at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com

Council Rock South 5, Central Bucks South 3

HATFIELD—At a time when familiarity is difficult to come by, there was something reassuring about Wednesday’s Suburban High School Hockey League season opener between Central Bucks South and Council Rock South.

There were no spectators in the stands and the players came to the rink dressed instead of utilizing the locker rooms at Hatfield. But it was business as usual once the teams hit the ice.

Kevin Koles’s long-range goal with 4:58 left in regulation proved to be the game winner as the Golden Hawks scored a 5-3 decision.

Jeremy Purcell put the puck in an empty net with six seconds left to complete the scoring; it was his second goal of the game.

Purcell was happy to get back on the ice with his teammates. “It feels good,” he said. “It’s been a long time, especially with that month off (break in the preseason). But it felt good, it felt good to be out there.”

The Golden Hawks were awarded the only power play of the game just 56 seconds into the opening period. They didn’t score during the man advantage but Doug Lopez put in a rebound at the 3:17 mark to give his team a 1-0 lead, beating Titan netminder Dominic Varacallo. Varacallo drew the assignment in goal in place of veteran Mason Moyer who was not dressed.

Aydin Thierolf tied the game for the Titans at the 8:38 mark before Daniel Kvecher finished a dash down the right wing by putting the puck behind Golden Hawk goaltender Carson Lopez to give the Titans the lead just 36 seconds later.

That lead was short lived. Julian Wagenmann tied the game with 32 seconds when he tipped in Kyle Boss’s original shot.

At period’s end, the Golden Hawks changed goaltenders Lopez left the game because of illness and veteran Jimmy Sweeney took over.

The Golden Hawks took the lead for the second time when Purcell scored just seven seconds into the period but the Titans tied the game at the 4:53 mark and had the better of the play for much of the rest of the period, but never got the lead back.

“We had a slow start,” said Titan coach Shaun McGinty. “We had our chances. We need to capitalize on them.”

The third period was scoreless until Koles’s late-game heroics. For a young Golden Hawks team, it was a good beginning.

“It was okay, they did well,” said Council Rock South coach Joe Houk. ”I told them ‘Keep it simple, don’t over pursue things.’”

Council Rock South 2 1 2—5

Central Bucks South 2 1 0—3

Shots: C.R. South 17, C.B. South 23; Saves: Carson Lopez (CRS) 7 and Jimmy Sweeney (CRS) 13; Dominic Varacallo (CBS) 12

The Road Ahead

The path to the start of the hockey season has been difficult to navigate to stay the least. But all interested parties now parties now have a road map that shows a route all the way to the end of the season.

The Inter County Scholastic Hockey League (ICSHL) launched its 2021 campaign last Friday and the Suburban High School Hockey League is kicking off its season this week.

Meantime, the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference (APAC) remains on hold, on deference to the Covid-19 restrictions which are still in place in the City of Philadelphia and have mandated the closing of ice rinks, specifically the Class of 1923 rink at the University of Pennsylvania and the Flyers Skatezonein Northeast Philadelphia.Those restrictions are scheduled to be lifted this Friday, January 15.

APAC Commissioner Jim Britt said the conference is aiming at a February 1 start date. “The teams are making the final tweaks for APAC games and crossovers against selected ICSHL Class AAA teams,” he said.”

Britt praised the coaches and school administrators at the four APAC schools for their efforts to bring the 2021 season to fruition.

““Everyone was disappointed last March when the 2020 Flyers Cup was paused & eventually cancelled,” he said. “The APAC coaching staffs & administrators have been working hard to provide the best & safest 2021 experience possible, being creative & flexible as we navigate the challenges. We’re all looking forward to getting back on the ice.”

As for the 2021 Flyers Cup tournament, Flyers Cup Committee President Eric Tye indicated that the field for this year’s tournament will be announced on Sunday, March 28. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 5 and conclude on Thursday, April 15.

Those dates are subject to change if the season is interrupted because of Covid issues or some other cause.

The state championship games are scheduled for Saturday, April 24 in Pittsburgh.