St. Joseph’s Prep 5 Holy Ghost Prep 1

BRISTOL—St. Joseph’s Prep arrived at Grundy Arena Monday afternoon eager to get on the ice. Because of Covid-cancellations, the Hawks hadn’t played a game December 21. Upon their arrival, they spent 51 minutes of pent up energy.

The result was a 5-1 Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference win over host Holy Ghost Prep. The win was the first for the Hawks (4-4-1 overall, 1-1-0-2 in the APAC) in four conference starts and an ideal start to the six-week stretch that serves as a prelude to the Founders Cup playoffs and the Flyers Cup tournament.

“I think this is really going to set the tone for the rest of our year,” said sophomore Joey Samango.

Samango scored two goals for the Hawks and assisted on two others, giving him seven goals and two assists in conference play.

Junior Jeffrey Hammond contributed a goal and two assists. “We knew what we had to do,” he said. “Last time we played Ghost (a 5-4 overtime loss on November 12) we were winning 4-1 and then we let up with penalties. We came in knowing what we had to do.

Freshman Jake Schultz scored the game’s first goal 9:26 into the first period. Samango made it a 2-0 game at the 12:59 mark.

Nick Storti made it a 3-0 game to finish off a play that Hammond started 63 seconds into the second session.

Jake Schultz starts the scoring

At that point, Holy Ghost Prep coach Gup Whiteside made a goaltender change, inserting Colin Mudrick for starter Jason Soule (Soule returned for the third period).

Sean Marshall answered for Holy Ghost Prep (9-6, 1-3-1-0 in conference) just 26 seconds later but Hammond extended the Hawks’ lead with 1:44 left in the period.

Samango added his second goal of the game 11:22 into the third period.

Dante Passio (33 in red) wins a battle in the corner

Hammond is pleased with how this year’s edition of the Hawks has evolved through the first half of the season.

“Everyone knows their role,” he said, “and when everyone knows their role, and when everyone plays their role, we win a game. In a 5-1 win, everyone played their role.

St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin says his team is a more focused group than the team that struggled much of last year.

“This senior class, that’s all they talked about,” he said, “saying ‘We’re a good enough team to compete with everybody, but we’ve got to be ready every game and not just show up.

“So, having a full lineup definitely helps but also having the attitude that you want to be there and you want to compete hard.”

Jason Soule makes a save in the Firebirds’ net

St. Joseph’s Prep 2 2 1—5

Holy Ghost Prep 0 1 0—1

First-period goals: Jacob Schultz (SJP) from Michael Ahearn. 9:26; Joey Samango (SJP) from Dante Passio and Jeffrey Hammond, 12:59

Second-period goals: Nick Storti (SJP) from Liam Mooney, 1:03: Sean Marshall (HGP) from Ciaran Chambers, 1:29; Hammond (SJP) from Mooney and Samango, 15:16

Third-period goals: Samango (SJP) from Hammond and Storti, 11:22

Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 32, Holy Ghost Prep 30; Saves: Rocco Bruno (SJP) 29, Jason Soule (HGP) 23 and Colin Mudrick (HGP) 4

For more about St. Joseph’s Prep Click Here

For more about Holy Ghost Prep Click Here

Video provided by Nur B. Adam

Malvern Prep 6 St. Joseph’s Prep 5

Jeremy Jacobs scored his third goal of the game with 6.6 seconds remaining in regulation as the Friars bested the Hawks Friday night at the Skatium. The Friars scored four goals in the third period to record their third APAC win without defeat.

Joseph Samango recorded a hat trick for the Hawks who are now 0-1-0-2 in conference play

St. Joseph’s Prep 0 2 3—5

Malvern Prep 1 1 4—6

First-period goal: Jimmy Jacobs (MP) from Matt Harris and Jeremy Jacobs, 5:01 (pp)

Second-period goals: Garrett McDonald (SJP) from Declan Pierce and Tristan Wanata, 4:47; Harris (MP) from Pierre Larocque, 11:01; Jeffrey Hammond (SJP) from Liam Mooney, 11:34

Third-period goals: Joseph Samanago (SJP) from Mooney, 1:25; Jeremy Jacobs (MP) from Travis Buckley and Jonathan Holt, 7:49; Samango (SJP) from Hammond and Dante Passio, 8:34; Jeremy Jacobs (MP) from Jack Sharer, 9:19; Larocque (MP) from Jeremy Jacobs, 10:52; Samango (SJP) unassisted, 15:34; Jeremy Jacobs (MP) unassisted. 16:54.

Shots: Malvern Prep 45, St. Joseph’s Prep 35; Saves: Anthony Perti 30 (MP) Rocco Bruno (SJP) 39

Jimmy Jacobs delivers the game’s first goal

Jeremy Jacobs delivers the game winner

Video provided by Gracie Cleveland

C.B. South 3 Neshaminy 2

BRISTOL—A hockey team trying to find its way took a big leap forward Thursday night. Aidan Gaffney scored two goals as Central Bucks South surprised previously unbeaten Neshaminy 3-2 Thursday night at Grundy Arena.

It was the first win for the Titans in seven starts this season (1-5-1 overall, 1-1 in Class AA divisional play.

Assistant coach Tyler Skroski noted it was a team win in the truest sense of the term.

“We relied on our older guys, our seniors were coming through,” he said. “Our top players were coming through. That’s a full team win.”

The Titans also got a big contribution from a younger guy; freshman goaltender Jason Magaruh, who was credited with 50 saves.

Dan Kvechner gave South the first lead of the night just 2:28 into the opening period. Jacob Adami responded for the ‘Skins (4-1-1 overall 1-1 in the division) at the 12:50 mark on a shot from the right circle on which Magaruh was screened and it seemed the hosts were getting a handle on things.

But Gaffney put South ahead for the second time just 1:32 into the second period.

“The mindset was just north-and-south hockey,” he said. “We wanted to get pucks in deep and shoot everything we possibly could.”

The Titans skated themselves into a corner at the start of the third period. Kvechner was set off for tripping after 43 seconds. When Justin Montagna was flagged for the same offense at 1:25 South found itself skating two men short. When J.J. Hathaway tied the game for Neshaminy at the 2:22 mark the ‘Skins still had a full minute of power-play time left.

But Magaruh bolstered by his defense corps, held form.

“He’s a young goalie,” Gaffney said. “We’ll always support our goalie no matter what.

Gaffney’s game-winning goal came with 2:20 left in the game off a faceoff.

The ‘Skins enjoyed a 52-36 edge in shots on goal. Neshaminy coach Matt DeMatteo lamented the fact that an abundance of his team’s shot attempts never got to the net.

“I think that their defense stepped up,” he said. “Not that their goalie didn’t play well. We had trouble getting pucks through to him. We got some shots on, but they blocked a ton of shots.

“I think that was their game plan going in to load up the middle and block shots. We just had trouble getting the pucks through to the goalie.”

Gaffney believes the win will be a springboard for the Titans and give them momentum.

“Definitely,” he said. “It’s definitely a turnaround. “We’re looking to turn it around for the rest of the games and I definitely think we can.”

C.B. South 1 1 1—3

Neshaminy 1 0 1—2

First-period goals: Dan Kvechner (CBS) from Matt Crouch, 2:28; Jacob Adami (N) from J.H. Hathaway, 12:50

Second-period goals: Aidan Gaffney (CBS) from Justin Keilman and Aydin Theirolf, 1:32

Third-period goals: Hathaway (N) from Max Gallagher, 2:26 (pp); Gaffney (CBS) from Adam Cusick, 12:40

Shots: C.B. South 36, Neshaminy 52; Saves: Jason Magaruh (CBS) 50, Brian Nelson (N) 33

PA Hockey’s Elite 8

Week 9

Class AAA

Malvern Prep 4-1
North Allegheny 8-1
Holy Ghost Prep 4-1
Baldwin 4-1-2
Peters Township 7-3
St. Joseph’s Prep 2-2
Pine Richland 4-2
Seneca Valley 4-3

Class AA

Franklin Regional 6-1
Haverford 4-1
Thomas Jefferson 7-0
Armstrong 7-0
Downingtown West 3-0
Penn Trafford 5-1
Pennridge 4-0
Council Rock South 3-0-1

Class A

West Chester East 4-0
West Chester Rustin 5-2
Quaker Valley 6-0
Fox Chapel 8-0
Springfield Delco 3-0
Norwin 6-1-1
Radnor 1-0
Westmont Hilltop 5-2/Kiski 5-2

Rankings compiled by Jeff Mauro. In some cases, won-loss records have been updated to reflect results since the rankings were complied.

Jeff Mauro has written a book on the history of the Pennsylvania state high school hockey championship. To find out more and order a copy CLICK HERE

Holiday Hockey Returns

Hockey on Thanksgiving Eve is a longstanding tradition in the Philadelphia area. That tradition was disrupted in 2020 because of the pandemic but is back this year; Wednesday’s schedule includes nine games involving area teams.

At Hatfield 1

7:00 North Penn vs. Central Bucks South

9:00 Pennridge vs. Souderton

At Bucks County Ice Sports Center

7:00 Upper Moreland at Hatboro-Horsham

9:00 William Tennent vs. Archbishop Wood

At Revolution Ice Gardens

7:00 Council Rock North vs. Council Rock South

8:50 Central Bucks East vs. Central Bucks West

At Grundy Arena

7:20 Pennsbury vs. Neshaminy

7:30 Holy Ghost Prep vs. Father Judge

At Ice Line

7:40 Malvern Prep vs. Cardinal O’Hara

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APAC Update for 11-15-21

Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference Standings

(Overall records through 12-1)

W L OTW OTL Pts

Malvern Prep (5-1) 2 0 0 0 6

Holy Ghost Prep (4-1) 1 1 1 0 5

St. Joseph’s Prep (2-2-1) 0 0 0 1 1

Hun School (3-1 ) 0 0 0 0 0

La Salle (1-4) 0 2 0 0 0

This Week

Tuesday: Christian Brothers Academy 5, La Salle 1

Wednesday:

Holy Ghost Prep 9 vs. Father Judge 2

Friday: Gonzaga 2, St. Joseph’s Prep 2

Hun School at Sewickley Academy Tournament Through Sunday

Hockey Happenings is looking for reliable individuals to provide video clips of APAC games. If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact us at rwoelfel2103@gmail.com

WORCESTER STATE 3, ARCADIA 2 (OT)

COLMAR, Pa. – The Arcadia University women’s ice hockey team fell to Worcester State, 3-2, in overtime on Sunday afternoon at Hatfield Ice Arena. The Lancers scored two third-period goals to send the game to the extra frame, before they scored the game-winner in overtime.

First-year forward Ariel Williamson scored the first goal in program history for the Knights. The Rome, N.Y. native found the top corner of the goal in the second period to put the Knights on the board for the first time.

WORCESTER STATE 3, ARCADIA 2 (OT)
HOW IT HAPPENED

After neither team found the back of the net in the first period, Williamson scored just over four minutes into the second period to give the Knights a 1-0 lead.
Karahkwenhawe White converted on the power play in the second period to give the Knights a 2-0 lead. Williamson tallied her second point of the day with an assist on White’s goal.
Worcester State scored its first goal with less than four minutes to go in the third period. The Lancers tied it with a minute and a half left to send the game to overtime.
The Lancers scored the game-winner 1:41 into overtime after a pass in front was tipped past Arcadia goaltender Sophia Szelag.

Arcadia Teams Fall

Aurora Men 6, Arcadia 3—James Spaagaren scored two goals, including the first in program history, but the Knights fell 6-3 Saturday afternoon in a non-conference game at Hatfield Ice. Carson Asper also scored for the Knights (0-2) to tie the game at 3-3 before Aurora took command with three goals.

Lucas Brine made 38 saves in goal while taking the loss.

Worcester State Women 5, Arcadia 0—The Arcadia women’s hockey team opened its inaugural season Saturday evening with a 5-0 loss to Worcester State at Hatfield Ice. Arcadia coach Kelsey Koelzer, a Hatboro-Horsham High and Princeton grad, made history by officially becoming the first African American woman to coach an NCAA hockey team.

Arcadia Women Ready for Debut

History is being made this weekend at Hatfield Ice as the Arcadia Knights open their inaugural season of NCAA Division III women’s hockey. The Knights will face off against Worcester State Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 12:15.

For Head Coach Kelsey Koelzer, the start of the regular season concludes nearly two years of preparation.

“It’s exciting,” she said, a little nerve wracking. Just seeing all of our hard work and seeing the progress that we’ve made. But overall, it’s really exciting.

“It’s nice to start to get into game play. It was 690-some days from the time that I got hired to when our players even moved on campus. And even then, once you get there, you don’t start to get working with them until the first week of October, so there’s another month. And even now, we’ve been all practice for the last three or four weeks.
So, to get to actually play some games and get into kind of crunch time is really exciting.”

Game time will be a new experience for all 19 players on Koelzer’s roster. None have ever played college before; in fact 18 of the 19 are freshmen. But all have taken on the challenge of helping build a startup program.

“It’s not for everyone,” Koelzer said, “but you kind of (sort) that out in the recruiting process as well. The players know that not every day is going to go our way. And you have a lot of adjustments to make.

“We needed players that could pick things up quickly and know that they’re going to be picking up minutes from the beginning and have to just roll with the punches and be okay with making mistakes and getting out there the very next shift.

“So, I think there is a slightly different mindset because the players don’t get to hide behind upperclassmen. They all kind of have to pick it up at the same time and help each other and really just roll with our bumps and bruises.”

St. Joseph’s Prep 5, Father Judge 1

St. Joseph’s Prep 5, Father Judge 1

Liam Mooney scored two goals and three other players scored one goal, each as the Hawks opened the season with a win over the Crusaders Wednesday evening at the Class of 1923 Rink.

Matthew Giuliani, Jeffrey Hammond, and Mooney all scored in the first period to give the hosts a 3-0 lead, Cathal Dowd scored in the second period and Mooney added his second goal in the third.

Rocco Bruno and Ajay White split time in goal.

Father Judge 0 1 0—1

St. Joseph’s Prep 3 1 1—5