St. Joseph’s Prep 3 La Salle 2

St. Joseph’s Prep took things one step at a time Wednesday afternoon, and went home a winner. The Hawks built a 3-0 lead and held on for a 3-2 win over La Salle in their APAC opener at Hatfield Ice.

The Hawks have started the season with four consecutive wins. The Explorers dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the APAC.

For first-year Prep head coach Charlie Van Kula, it was an ideal way to begin the conference schedule.

“Obviously, every time we play La Salle is a big one, he said. ”So, to get a win was big.

“I still think we have to put a full 51 minutes together and there are certainly things we could do better, but a win is a win so we’ll take it and keep working on what we need to work on.”

Offensive opportunities were rare by APAC standards, particularly early on and the referees maintained a tight hold on the proceedings; they whistled five penalties in a scoreless first period.

Michael Washlick gave the Prep the lead 6:06 into the second frame on a solo end-to end rush down the left wing which concluded when he beat La Salle goaltender Patrick Murphy.

It stayed 1-0 until 3:35 into the third period when the Explorers turned the puck over in their own zone and Cole Gargon turned the miscue into a goal. Just over three minutes later, Gargon

delivered the primary assist on Frank Ely’s shot from the high slot that put the Hawks up 3-0 with 12:09 left in regulation.

Gargon noted that the Hawks’ fast start this season gas given them a confidence boost.

“It really boosts everybody’s morale,” he said. “Just work together, follow the system, and play hard.”

Despite the score however the Explorers seemed to have more energy in the final period and their effort paid off when Roman Tkach beat Declan Geary in the Hawk net just 22 seconds after Ely’s goal and the hosts battled hard to the finish.

“I think we were sitting back,” said La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner. “And I think we did the same thing {in {a 4-1 loss to Holy Ghost Prep}. We definitely want to get them playing more aggressively.”

In the end, River Carangi’s goal with 30 seconds left had the Hawks hanging on. In fact, an icing call with six seconds left gave La Salle a final faceoff in the Hawks’ defensive zone but Geary and his mates held firm.

For Muehlbronner, it was another step in the maturation of a young team.

“We’ve just got to keep going,” he said, “and keep trying to get better. Our youth definitely has shown at times during these games.

“We’re not creating a whole lot of quality offensive opportunities so we just need to keep it simple and get some pucks to the net.”

Ice chips—Van Kula commneted on the system he is using thsi season and how his players are adusting.

“There are definitely some adjustments,” he said.”I’d say there is a little more structure than normal nd there gave ben some growing pains but from the top down with the seniors leading the way, they’ve bought in. We have some really, really smart hockey players in the room.”

 St. Joseph’s Prep 0 1 2—3

La Salle 0 0 2—2

Second-period goal:  Michael Washlick (SJP) unassisted, 6:06

Third-period goal: Cole Gargon (HGP) unassisted 1:35; Frank Ely (SJP) from Gargon and James Fratantuono, 4:51; Roman Tkach (L) from Braedon Yothers and Connor Boland, 5:13; River Carangi (L) from Patrick Lunsford and Darrian Brown, 16:30

Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 33, La Salle 34; Saves: Declan Geary (SJP) 32, Patrick Murphy (L) 30

Holy Ghost Prep 4 Malvern Prep 1

Three different players scored goals Wednesday afternoon s Holy Ghost Prep bested Malvern Prep 4-1 in an APAC matchup at Grundy Arena. William Harmar scored twice for the Firebirds (2-1 overall) who have now won their first two conference starts. The Friars, who were kicking off their conference schedule, now stand at 1-2-1 overall.

Chase Logue opened the scoring for Holy Ghost Prep 3:40 into the opening period. Jake Samron extended the Firebirds’ lead 27 seconds into the second frame.

Pax Hoishik cut the Holy Ghost Prep lead in half when he found the back of the net with 2:47 remaining in the middle period.

Harmar extended his team’s lead with a goal 2:12 into the final period and then provided the defending Class AAA Flyers Cup champions with an insurance goal 26 seconds later.

Matt Salita got the win in goal, making 17 saves in the process.

Malvern Prep 0 1 0—1

Holy Ghost Prep 1 1 2—4

First-period goal: Chase Logue (HGP) from Nate Romer and Chris Marshall, 3:40

Second-period goal: Jake Smaron (HGP) from Anthony Cere and Lucas Helms, :27; Paxton Hoishik (MP) from Jake Weingartner, 14:13

Third-period goals: William Harmar (HGP) from Helms and Trace Levan, 2:12; Harmar (HGP) unassisted, 2:38

Shots: Malvern Prep 18, Holy Ghost Prep 35; Saves: Ryan Caterino (MP) 31, Matt Salita (HGP) 17

North Penn, CR South to Meet in Flyers Cup Rematch

An early-season showdown highlight’s this week’s slate of SHSHL games. Reigning and defending Class AA Flyers Cup and state champion North Penn will face off against three-time defending SHSHL National champion Council Rock South Wednesday night at Grundy Arena. Game time is set for 7:20.

The Golden Hawks (5-0) and the Knights (4-0) have each won their first three league starts.

They are a combined 44-4 in their last 88 regular season games; they split two regular-season meetings before North Penn prevailed 8-2 in the Flyers Cup final.

The Golden Hawks are paced by the SHSHL’s top scorer. Ae Weiner has accumulated 15 goals and nine assists for 24 points in all competitions. Jordan Sarne is second in the national Division in scoring with six goals and eight assists for 14 points.

Chris Silvotti and Nolan Shingle are North Penn’s top scorers. Each has accumulated five goals and four assists for nine points in all competitions.

Van Kula Ready for APAC Debut

Wednesday will mark the start of a new chapter in APAC history Charlie Van Kula will takes his place behind the St. Joseph’s Prep bench as the Hawks open their conference schedule at La Salle (4:00 at Hatfield Ice).

Van Kula took over the Prep this season, replacing David Giacomin who directed the Hawks for 13 seasons. His team comes into its APAC opener off three non-league wins.

“I’ve got big shoes to fill,” Van Kula acknowledged.

Van Kula was a goaltender for the Hawks (Giacomin was his coach his senior season) and lettered four times before having a brief stint as a walk-on at Boston College where he served as a student manager.

For the past three seasons he has coached the Hawks’ JV Gray team. He’s also an on-ice official for USA Hockey.

Van Kula says he had visions of being the Hawks’ head coach one day, Just not right now.

“It’s a real honor, obviously. It’s something I always kind of had  in the back of my mind, the possibility 20 years from now.

I told our alumni and parents it’s not something I take lightly, an and the program and where it’s come from.

“The program has grown from two teams to three and I take a lot of pride in being involved.”

Van Kula stresses the importance of the hockey program at his alma mater be the right fit with the educational and spiritual mission of the school.

“It’s critical,” he said, “as  it is with  all the sports at the Prep. We really emphasize that all of us. We’re not here to just coach our specific sports. Our sports are vehicles to fulfill the mission and the goals  of the school  as a whole.

“So, all of us are making sure our players are living up to that. Making sure that our players are living up to their academic expectations.  Making sure we’re pushing the same goals an values the school is.”

CLICK HERE for more about St. Joseph’s Prep

SHSHL Recap 11-18-25

National Division              W    L   T  OTW OTL    SOW    SOL    Pts

Council Rock South (5-0)  3     0   0    –        –         –           –         12

North Penn (4-0)                3     0   0   –       –          –            –         12

Central Bucks South (3-1)      3      1    0      –         –          –            12           

Central Bucks East (2-1)            2      1   0   –    –            –            8         

Souderton (0-2)                  1      1   0     –    1          –           –           5

Pennridge   (1-1)                1      2   0  –      –           –            –          4

Neshaminy (1-3)                 1     1   0    1    –           –            –         3

Pennsbury (2-2)                 0      2   0   –    –            –            –           0

Central Bucks West (0-4)  0      4   0    –     –           –           –           0                                 

American Division          W    L    T    OTW     OTL   SHW   SOL   PTS

Hatboro-Horsham (4-0) 4    0     0     –            –         –          –         16

Plym. Whitemarsh (3-0)  3    0     0     –           –         –          –         12

Springfield (1-3)              1      3    0     –          –      –           –             4

Wissahickon (1-3)            1   3      0    1          –        –          –            3  

Abington (0-2)                  0    1    0      –         1       –          –             1

Scoring                         

 National Division                      GP    G     A    Pts

Jake Weiner CRS                          5       15      9     24

Jordan Sarne   CRS                       5      6     8       14 

Landon Bishop Pr                         3       9      2    11

Max Ryon Sou.                              3       8      3     11

Julia Kaminsky Sou.                      3       7      2     9

Shane Gleisner   Pb                      4       6      3     9

Jackson Kelly   Sou.                       2      3      6      9

Chris Silvotti NP                            4       5      4      9

Nolan Shingle  NP                         4       5     4      9

Ryan Burke       Pr                          3       1      7     8

Shawn Mooney  Nesh                  4       3     4      7

Cameron  Fairweather  Sou.        3       2      5    7   

American Division         GP      G     A    Pts

Nate Nemchinov HH      4        8      7      15

Vincent Graziani HH      4         6      9      15

Daniel Guller       PW      3        3      10    13

Cooper Kanze   PW        3        6       3       9

Blake Ambler      PW       3       3      6        9

Reid Rochestie   PW       4       2       7        9

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

St. Joseph’s Prep 4 St. John’s College 1

The Hawks improved to 3-0 with the non-league win Wednesday afternoon at the Class of 1923 Rink. Cole Gargon scored twice for the hosts who trailed 1-0 after the first period. Noah Stuhl and Frank Ely added one goal each.

Declan Geary made 31 saves on goal. The Hawks will face La Salle in their APAC opener next Wednesday.

St. John’s College 1 0 0—1

St. Joseph’s Prep 0 2 2—4

Holy Ghost Prep 4 La Salle 1

BRISTOL—There wasn’t a lot of finesse on display at Grundy Arena Wednesday afternoon. Just a lot of blue-collar, grind-it-out hockey.

Holy Ghost Prep thrived in that environment. Lucas Gonzalez delivered two goals and an assist as the Firebirds bested La Salle 4-1 as the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference launched its eighth season.

For a team whose players are still working to find their roles, it was a step forward.

“There was obviously a big conversation between last week’s game (a season-opening loss to Devon Prep) and tonight,” said Holy Ghost Prep John Ritchie. “Last week, I thought we did a much better job possessing and creating but sometimes we just have to manufacture goals by working hard to get to the net.”

And that formula paid off for Holy Ghost Prep Wednesday afternoon. Gonzalez opened the scoring, beating Anthony Foster in the La Salle net 4:19 into the opening period off a feed from freshman Mason Thomas.  Chase Logue made it a 2-0 game via a Chris Marshall setup into the second frame but the Explorers (1-2 overall) answered with a goal from River Carangi with 51 seconds left in the period when her put the puck past Firebird netminder Matt Salita to make it a 2-1 game.

Following the post-second period ice cut however, it was Thomas the freshman who stepped up. His goal 2:28 into the third frame restored his side’s two-goal advantage.

Gonzalez added his second goal of the game with 4:03 remaining.

Ritchie celebrated Thomas’s effort; he was one of four underclassmen in the Firebirds’ lineup.

“He’s a really smart player away from the puck,” Ritchie said. “He can put the puck in the net. He kind of brings a lot of little intangibles to the game so we have full confidence in him.

“I don’t put a lot of freshmen in our lineup. But he has a good complete game and tonight we were obviously thrilled that he got his first goal.”

Marshall, a senior and the Firebirds’ captain, spoke to the importance of the veterans on the roster making younger teammates feel comfortable.

“It’s everything” he said. “The seniors and the juniors, the upperclassmen, need to be there for the underclassmen. If you have a bad shift or a bad play, shake it off, go get the next one.”

For a young Explorer squad that had just two seniors in the lineup, the APAC opener was trial by fire.

“I think it was definitely an eye-opener for a lot of the guys,” he said. “We had our moments where I thought we were making progress at getting better, but then we made some young mistakes, turning pucks over in our own zone and not having men in our coverages. And that directly led to opportunities and goals for them.”

Muehlbronner said his players got a crash course in what APAC hockey is about.”

“A lot of these guys were playing in their first APAC game,” he said. “We’re going to get better.”

•Muehlbronner is the last remaining head coach remaining from 2018-19, the APAC’s first season.

La Salle 0 1 0—1

Holy Ghost Prep 1 1 2—4

First-period goal: Lucas Gonzalez (HGP) from Mason Thomas, 4:19

Second-period goal: Chase Logue (HGP) from Chris Marshall, 2:21; River Carangi (L) from Darrian Brown and Patrick Lunsford, 16:09

Third-period goals: Thomas (HGP) from Gonzalez, 2:28; Gonzalez (HGP) from Anthony Valeriote and Lucas Helms, 12:57

Shots: La Salle 18, Holy Ghost Prep 24; Saves: Anthony Foster (L) 20, Matt Salita (HGP) 17

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.”