Malvern Prep 4, La Salle 1

Malvern Prep scored four times in the first period and went on to a 4-1 win over La Salle Wednesday night in an APAC game at Ice Line.

Matt Harris, Jack Constabile, Jimmy Kirk, and Gavin Wilson all scored for the Friars, who recorded their second won over the Explorers (0-3 overall and in the APAC) in eight days.

Chase Hannon scored La Salle’s only goal.

La Salle 0 1 0

Malvern Prep 4 0 0—4

First-period goals: Matt Harris (MP) unassisted, 5:36; Jack Constabile (MP) from Jimmy Kirk, 8:56 (pp); Kirk (MP) from Constabile, 11:42; Gavin Wilson (MP) from Harris, 14:11.

Second-period goal: Chase Hannon (L) from Ryan Desmond and Gavin O’ Connell, 14:49.

Shots: La Salle 22, Malvern Prep 34; Saves: Liam Gross (L) 30, Anthony Perti (MP) 21

Holy Ghost Prep 5, La Salle 3

HATFIELD—A lead that once seemed safe was on the verge of slipping away. After holding a three-goal advantage with just over eight minutes left in regulation and a two-goal lead with little more than five minutes remaining, Holy Ghost Prep spent the rest of Friday evening trying to kill three penalties but hung on for a 5-3 win over La Salle in the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference season opener at Hatfield Ice.

The Firebirds (2-0 overall) were shorthanded the last 5:04 of regulation.

Sean Marshall’s empty-net goal with 35 seconds remaining finally settled matters but more importantly, the junior played a key role on his team’s penalty killing unit.

“We were up the whole game and we needed some big plays,” Marshall said. “I think we got them done on the (penalty kills). It was a total team effort.”

Goals from Michael Connelly, Brady Baehser, and Shaun Moore gave the Firebirds a 3-0 lead with 6:32 left in the second period. Michael Casey scored for La Salle (0-1) with 1:23 remaining in the period but Evan Mudrick’s power-play goal 7:50 into the third frame extended the Holy Ghost Prep lead to three goals once more.

That’s when things began to get interesting. Dan Whitock scored for the Explorers with 5:38 remaining to make it a 4-2 game. With 5:04 remaining, the Firebirds’ E.J. Pohl went to the box for cross checking. Landon Stout drew a tripping penalty just 34 seconds later, leaving Holy Ghost Prep two men short for 1:26.

Chase Hannon scored a power-play goal for La Salle with 2:22 left to make it a one-goal game with La Salle still on a power play for another 52 seconds.

The Firebirds survived that stretch unscathed but Luke Panepresso was sent off for hooking with exactly two minutes to play, leaving his team shorthanded for the balance of regulation unless La Salle scored the tying goal. Instead, Marshall shot the puck from his side of the red line down the middle of the ice and into the empty net.

“They put a lot of pressure on us toward the end there,” said Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside. “We found a way to win. We had a good jump early. Have a 3-0 lead helps, but it’s never secure when these two teams are playing.”

It was La Salle’s first game action since the Flyers Cup quarterfinals last March. The tournament was never completed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We looked like we hadn’t played since March,” said La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner. “We did some good things and we did a lot of things that looked like we hadn’t been playing together.”
Muehlbronner was pleased with the way his team rallied in the third period. “We definitely had some good opportunities,” he said. “Their goaltender (Bobby Baehser) did a great job, especially towards the end there. He did a great job. So, that’s something to build on.”

La Salle had a 27-25 edge in shots … The APAC has gone to a four-official system this season.

Holy Ghost Prep 1 2 2—5

La Salle 0 1 2—3

First-period goals: Michael Connelly (HGP) from Patrick McAneny, 9:40.

Second-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) unassisted, :21; Shaun Moore (HGP) from Cole Stevens and Ciaran Chambers, 9:28; Michael Casey (L) unassisted, 14:37.

Third-period goals: Evan Mudrick (HGP) from E.J. Pohl, 7:50 (pp); Dan Whitock (L) from Max Maddalo and Casey, 10:22; Casey (L) from Chase Hannon, 12:38 (pp); Sean Marshall (HGP) unassisted, (sh), (en), 15:25.

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 25, La Salle 27; Saves: Bobby Baehser (HGP) 24, Liam Gross (L) 20

For more information about Holy Ghost Prep Click Here

For more information about La Salle College High School Click Here

If you’d like to promote your product or service on the Hockey Happenings site, contact us at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com

APAC Teams Ready to Hit the Ice

After three months of Covid-mandated delays, the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is ready to begin its third season. Here’s a look at what to expect from the four conference schools.

La Salle

Coach: Wally Muehlbronner (23^rdseason)

Last year: 14-10-2, 3-3-2-1 in APAC; won league title

Key players: Sr. Liam Gross (G); Sr. Andrew Budzynski (D); Sr. Nick Astolfi (D); Sr. David Kimmel (F); Sr. Jake Hannon (F); Jr. Keenan Schneider (F).

Outlook: The Explorers enter the season as the two-time defending APAC champions. They are also the defending Class AAA Flyers Cup and state champions, since those events were not completed/did not occur last season.

This year’s team is deep and experienced. Twelve players return from last year’s roster, including the top scoring line and some experienced defensemen.

Muehlbronner’s hope is that his corps of returnees will bond quickly with a group of eager newcomers to create cohesiveness in a compressed season.

Kimmel. Hannon, and Schneider are all proven goal scorers while Budzynski heads the blue-line corps.

Holy Ghost Prep

Coach: Gump Whiteside (12^thseason)

Last year: 16-5-1, 5-3-1-0 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Bobby Baeshser (G); Sr. E.J. Pohl (D); Sr. Jake Marek (D); Sr. Jimmy Littley (D); Jr. Luke Panepresso (D); Jr Brian Butler (D); Brady Baesher (F); Sr. Evan Mudrick (F); Sr. Cole Stevens (F); Sr. Carlos Rodriguez, Jr. (F); Sr. John Connelly (F); Sr. Michael Connelly (F); JR. Sean Marshall (F); Sr. Pat McAneny (F); So. Anthony Sparo (F).

Outlook: The Firebirds’ lineup will feature an abundance of experienced veterans. Mudrick and Stevens will be counted on up front while Pohl is a fixture on the blue line and Baehser is experienced in goal.

Whiteside is expecting his senior class to provide leadership but will be looking to his younger players to step up when called upon.

Malvern Prep

Coach: Bill Keenan (second season)

Last year: 8-8, 2-5-2-0 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Chris Blango (D); Sr. Ryan Sambuco (F); Sr. Jack Costabile (F); Jr. Matt Harris (F); Jr. Anthony Perti (G); Jr. Pierre Larocque (F); Jr. Quinn Dougherty (D); Fr. Jeremy Jacobs (F); So. Jimmy Jacobs (F); Fr. Brady Doyle (D).

Outlook: The Friars will enter APAC play having already played and won three non-league games.

There is a strong core of returnees, featuring Perti in goal and Blango and Dougherty on the blue line. Harris, Constabile, Sambuco, and Larocque are being counted on up front.

St. Joseph’s Prep

Coach: David Giacomin (eighth season)

Last year: 15-13, 3-2-0-4 in APAC

Key players: St. Andrew Custer (G); Sr. Ryan Newby (D); Sr. Dominic Fantozzi (F); Sr. Connor Burman (F); Sr. Riley Abel (D); Sr. Ben Miraglia (F); Sr. Jack Yerger (F); Jr. Matthew Moresco (D); Jr. Nick Storti (D); So. Rocco Bruno (G); So. Jeffrey Hammond (F); So. Joe Samango (F).

Outlook: This season’s edition of the Hawks is lacking in experience but Giacomin likes this group’s enthusiasm.

“We can’t wait to get playing” he said. We have leadership in key areas”.

One of those key areas is in goal, where Custer and Bruno figure to be an effective tandem.

We welcome businesses, individuals, and organizations who would like to promote their product, service, or event on the Hockey Happenings web site. For more information, use the Contact Us link or e-mail at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com

La Salle’s David Kimmel a Serious Student of Hockey

David Kimmel is counting the days. The La Salle senior is eagerly anticipating next Friday, January 29 when he and his Explorer teammates will open the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference season against Holy Ghost Prep.

Kimmel, who is primarily a center, has been practicing and playing occasional games with his club team. But the Covid-19 pandemic has kept the APAC teams off the ice for much of the last month-and-a-half, save for occasional practices.

“It’s definitely been very different,” Kimmel said. “We haven’t been able to get into school all that often; we’re in a hybrid mode, like every other day, so we’ve relied on technology to communicate and choose to kind of keep our hopes up about when we’re hoping to be able to start the season.

“And when we’re at the rink itself, it’s very different. Having to get dressed all separated, not having that locker room camaraderie that every hockey player enjoys. So, it’s definitely been very different this year. We had to get dressed six feet apart and we weren’t able to bond in the locker room like we have been in previous years.”

While he hasn’t seen a lot of game action this season, Kimmel is taking advantage of the practice time he’s getting with his club team.

“Our practice schedule has been virtually unchanged,” he said, “so I’ve been able to keep my stamina up, working hard to stay in shape for when (La Salle games begin). Just being on the ice at least three times a week has really helped me to keep in the flow of hockey and avoid any minor setbacks that could start at the beginning of the season.”

Kimmel, who is primarily a center, has also watched a lot of hockey, specifically the recent World Junior Championships; he watched virtually every game the United States played and a lot of Team Canada as well. For someone as committed to hockey as Kimmel, the tournament was a learning experience.

“I think it’s amazing that the players are just a couple years older than (high-school players),” he said. “They look like they could complete with the best of NHL players. Watching them is definitely a really big advantage to my game.

Kimmel enjoys studying players who play his position. “I like to kind of focus on one player that would match my position out there on the ice,” he said, “and just notice everything that he does well. Also, having the overhead perspective, I can see some of the things that maybe he could have done better and then try to envision my own self on the ice and think what I would do in that scenario.”

When he’s watching televised hockey, Kimmel views the game differently than a casual fan would because of his on-ice experience. “I would say most people that don’t have a hockey mind would focus on the scoring plays,” he said. “I’m just taking note of key passes that kind of start plays and generate scoring chances, and also defensive positioning and shot blocking, especially in the final seconds of the U.S.-Finland game (in the World Junior semifinals); a couple US players laid out their bodies on the line and that’s nothing I think a normal hockey fan would notice.

“And then also there just so many skillful plays that largely go unnoticed, like (plays) in the corners and ways to get the puck on net. People who haven’t really played hockey wouldn’t understand how difficult it is.”

Seeing some of the plays world-class junior players are capable of making got Kimmel thinking about what he could add to his own game. “You just get a lot of creative ideas from what they’re doing, he said.” So, I definitely like to take note of the special things that I see out there.”

Malvern Prep 9, West Chester East 5

Jack Constabile scored three goals and six other players scored one goal each as Malvern Prep downed West Chester East 9-5 Thursday night at Ice Line.

The Friars put the game away by scoring three times in a five-minute span in the third period.

Anthony Perti got the win in goal, making 16 saves.

Malvern Prep (3-0) is the only Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference team to have played a game this season because of Covid-19 issues.

West Chester East 1 3 1—5

Malvern Prep 1 5 3—9

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.

Malvern Prep at the Threshold of a New Hockey Season

Malvern Prep is approaching the 1920-21 hockey season with a blend of caution and optimism. The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference will not begin its new season until after the holidays but the Friars, like other scholastic hockey teams in the area, are holding preseason drills.

Unlike most other teams however, Malvern Prep is hoping to get on the ice for some non-league games between now and the end of the year; the Friars are scheduled to go against West Chester Rustin Thursday night at Ice Line.

The three other members of the APAC, Holy Ghost Prep, St. Joseph’s Prep, and two-time defending champion La Salle, are all on the ice but none of the other three have committed to playing a game as of yet.

Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan has adjusted his practice schedule to try to get his players as much ice time as possible. “We flip flop a little bit between a varsity-only practice, and a JV and varsity combined practice,” he said, “but for the most part, all the guys are (on the ice) twice a week.”

Keenan described how he structures a practice with safety in mind. “When I go into practices, the biggest thing I try to do is implement the drills in a sense to where the kids are constantly moving and not standing in line next to each other,” he said.

““If we do have those drills where guys must stand in a line, I try to form drills so it’s not only one or two lines but a drill that has multiple components where the kids might be in five or six different lines across the ice. So, you’re taking your guys and you’re kind of spreading them and then while they’re in line they can kind of adhere to social distancing. I would say most of the guys are rarely next to each other for more than a minute or two when the drills are kicked off. And by the time they get back in line they’re starting to flow through the drill again. It’s constant movement.”
Malvern Prep’s student body is back on campus and the players are screened a minimum of twice each day.

“They get health screenings before they go on campus in the morning,” Kenan said, “They do one at home and then when they (arrive on campus) they do another one; there are color coded wristbands and they’re not allowed to come to practice without a wristband.”

The players are not forbidden to utilize the locker room facilities at Ice Line prior to or following practices.

Hatfield Ice to Close for Two Weeks

Hatfield Ice, the primary venue for Suburban High School Hockey League games, and other hockey events will be closed for two weeks, from Saturday, November 7 through Friday, November 20.

The closing was ordered by the Montgomery County Department of Health.

All facilities, including the rink, the pro shop, and cafe will be closed during this period.

Rink general manager Brian Pecca issued a statement/press release via Twitter.

“During this shutdown, we will continue to clean and sanitize our facilities, as have done since reopening back in June,” he said. “We are extremely disappointed in this decision, but we will continue to do everything we can to reopen and provide a safe environment for our customers.”

“

APAC Season to Begin in January

The start of the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference’s third season will be delayed until January due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. League officials are hoping to implement a 10-league schedule following the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, depending on the academic schedules of the league’s four member schools, La Salle, Holy Ghost Prep, Malvern Prep, and St. Joseph’s Prep.

“Many of the details depend on the schools’ academic calendars, which are still in flux,” said APAC Commissioner Jim Britt. “Some schools have yet to finalize their academic calendars for the 2020 winter months through May 2021, including holiday breaks, spring breaks, exam periods, and dates we might potentially need to black out.

“The impact of schedule conflicts for students who normally participate in spring sports or other activities is also a factor to be considered.”

The APAC is hoping to conclude its season by late February to coincide with the traditional start date of the Flyers Cup tournament.

All four league schools have been on the ice for preseason drills.

Malvern Prep has scheduled non-league games against West Chester Rustin on November 12 and Cardinal O’Hara on Thanksgiving Eve. Two-time defending APAC champion La Salle and St. Joseph’s Prep are hoping to schedule non-league games during November and December while Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside indicated his team would not play a game until January.

If you’re interested in promoting your product or service on this site, contact us at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com

APAC Announces All-Conference Team

The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is pleased to announce the 2019-2020 All-APAC teams. The honorees were selected by vote of the Head Coaches of the APAC member schools: Holy Ghost Prep, LaSalle College High School, Malvern Prep, and St. Joseph’s Prep; institutions that share similar missions to promote academic and athletic excellence for their student-athletes.

First Team

Byron Hartley

Holy Ghost Prep (senior)

Position: Forward

Key facts: The APAC’s leading scorer with 26 goals and 22 assists for 48 points and helped the Firebirds reach the Flyers Cup semifinals.

“Byron was our senior captain,” said Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside. “He was a true leader who developed tremendously over his four years at Holy Ghost Prep. He was a great teammate who made players better by his work ethic and personality.

Ryan Sambuco

Malvern Prep (junior)

Position: Forward

Key facts: Played a key role for the Friars while scoring 10 goals and adding 16 assists for 26 points. “He shows great vision, said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan, “and always finds ways to jump start the team.”

James Craig

St. Joseph’s Prep (senior)

Position: Forward

Key facts: A tenacious player whose eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points in APAC/Flyers Cup play and helped his team reach the Flyers Cup semifinals.

“He did everything a coach could ask for,” said St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin. “He was a tremendous competitor.”

Andrew Centrella

St. Joseph’s Prep (sophomore)

Position: Defense

Key facts: Scored four goals and provided 13 assists for 17 points in APAC and Flyers Cup play.

“He was an assistant captain and our hardest worker,” Giacomin said. “He played huge minutes and was always a threat on the ice.”

Chris Blango

Malvern Prep (junior)

Position: Defense

Key facts: Was a major force on the blue line for the Friars, scoring three goals and adding eight assists for 11 points. “He was the anchor of Malvern’s defense,” Keenan said, “and is very posed with the puck.”

Aidan McCabe

La Salle (senior)

Position: Goaltender

Key facts: A four-year varsity performer, he was the catalyst for an Explorer team that captured its second straight APAC title and reached the Flyers Cup semifinals. “He was the backbone of our team,” said La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner.

Second Team

Nathan Benner

La Salle (senior)

Position: Forward

Key facts: Finished his final high-school season with nine goals and six assists for 15 points. “He was one of our captains,” Muehlbronner said, “and a solid all-around player.”

Jeffrey Hammond

St. Josephs Prep (freshman)

Position: Forward

Key facts: Made an impressive debut for the Hawks with nine goals and seven assists for 16 points in APAC/Flyers Cup competition. “He’s a great two-way player,” Giacomin said. “He played in all situations.”

David Kimmell

La Salle (junior)

Position: Forward

Key facts: An offensive catalyst for the Explorers. Led the team in scoring with 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points. “He was our top scorer,” Muehlbronner said, “and an offensive key.”

Michael Urbani

St. Joseph’s Prep (senior)

Position: Defense

Key facts: Served as one of the Hawks’ captains and contributed five goals and 11 assists to his team’s effort. “He was a captain and the leader of our defensive corps,” Giacomin said. “He has a deadly shot and was a key defensively.”

Nolan Woudenberg

La Salle (sophomore)

Position: Defense

Key facts: Had a solid season for the Explorers with 10 goals and six assists for 16 points. “He was a strong, all around defenseman,” Muehlbronner said.”

Sean Joyce

Holy Ghost Prep (senior)

Position: Goaltender

Key facts: Finished his final season with the Firebirds with a 2.13 GAA and a .914 save percentage.

“Sean was a gamer,” said his coach, Gump Whiteside. One of the best goalies in the history of Holy Ghost Prep hockey. When Sean was in net, you always knew you could win the game.”

A reminder the skate shop in Grundy Arena remains open. Here is a link to their Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/grundyskateshop/