C.B. South 6 North Penn 5 OT

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—Year in and year out, Central Bucks South’s hockey teams have been characterized by their tenacity. That quality was on display Wednesday night at Hatfield Ice Arena as the Titans rallied from a two-goal second-period deficit to score a 6-5 overtime win over North Penn in a SHSHL National Division encounter.

Joey Slobodrian scored the winning goal with 2:28 left in overtime to give the Titans (5-2, 5-1 in the division) a win that kept them in possession of the County Line Cup.

Slobodrian had himself quite a night; the junior scored two goals and assisted on two others. He described the winning goal which saw him get the better of North Penn (4-2, 3-2) netminder Andrew Norton on a feed from Sean Cutter.

“We do this play where pass it through the [defender’s] legs,” he said. He passed it to me back door. Basically, I was just looking at the puck. I chipped it and it went through the five hole.”

The Titans came from behind twice in the course of the evening. They trailed 3-1 four-and-a-half minutes into the second period before goals from Slobodrian and Jake Stepp tied the game with 63 seconds left in the middle period.

Dominic Gibson put South in front with 10:49 left in regulation but Cole Pick scored his second goal of the game for the Knights to tie the game with 9:33 remaining. Sam Norton put North Penn in front with 7:49 left but Ryan Frey answered for the Titans just 14 seconds later with the last goal of regulation.

“I just got the boys going on the bench,” Slobodrian said, “and got their confidence up with some big hits. We got the momentum back and we won the game.”

South coach Shaun McGinty credited his team for its recovery after falling behind early.
“They really came out and gave it to us,” said. “We had to find a way to settle in. We lost that first period [North Penn led 2-1 at that point] and then we’ve got to fight back. The second period, won so I said to the boys ‘Third period you’ve got to win it.’ Our shot totals started to climb up our physicality started to climb up as well and that’s our hockey.”

North Penn coach Kevon Vaitis credited the Titans for their comeback. “I’m not sure if they took us out of our game or if they just kind of hit another gear there,” he said. “But I think they did a nice job getting back into play.

“A two-goal lead I the worst in hockey because one goal swings that momentum. If we score a goal and go up 4-1 it’s much different the rest of the game.”

South had a 44-26 advantage in shots.

The two teams will have rematch on December 11 at Hatfield.

C.B. South 1 2 2 1—6

North Penn 2 1 2 0—5

First-period goals: Luke Haftel (NP) from James Boyle, 5:39; Cole Pluck (NP) from Nolan Shingle, 8:58; Sean Cutter (CBS) from Joey Slobodrian and Jake Stepp, 13:05

Second-period goals: Single (NP) from Sam Norton, 4:20; Slobodrian (CBS) from Keith Waldron, 14:40; Stepp (CBS) from Jeff Kvecher, 15:57

Third-period goals: Dominic Gibson (CBS) from Logan Hood and Alex Cannon, 6:15; Pluck (NP) from Norton and Boyle, 7:27; Norton (NP) unassisted, 9:11; Ryan Frey (CBS) from Slobodrian, 9:25

Overtime goal: Slobodrian (CBS) from Cutter 2:32

Shots: C.B. South 44, North Penn 26; Saves: Nate Neapolitan (CBS) 21, Andrew Norton (NP) 38

C.B. South 5 Pennridge 4 OT

HATFIELD—For drama, this one was hard to top. J.D. Crouch scored on a shorthanded breakaway just before the overtime-ending buzzer to give Central Bucks South a stunning 5-4 win over Pennridge Thursday night in a SHSHL National Division meeting at Hatfield Ice Arena.

The Titans overcame a 3-0 second-period deficit to post their second consecutive win of the young season. The Rams (1-1) saw a four-point effort from Shane Dachowski go unrewarded; the senior delivered three goals and an assist. And Pennridge goaltender Jacob Winton was credited with 57 saves in the losing effort.

Dachowski was at the forefront of the game’s penultimate sequence; he had a clear path to the net when he was taken down by the Titans’ Sean Cutter, who was called for tripping with 9.6 seconds remaining in the five-minute overtime. allowing the Rams to put an extra skater on the ice. Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna’s lobbying effort for a penalty shot was unsuccessful.

Crouch got control of the puck off the ensuing offensive right-circle faceoff and headed for the other end of the ice, hoping to win the race against time.

“It was kind of just a lucky bounce,” he said. “I chipped it of the wall and the [defensemen] stepped and gave me all the time. There was not much time on the clock so I just had to shoot it. I heard my teammates on the bench yelling to shoot it, so I just ripped it.”

After a scoreless first period, it was the Rams, who took command in the second frame with a goal from Shane Venner followed by a pair from Dachowski to build a three-goal advantage. But Dominic Gibson and Joey Slobodrian scored goals for the Titans 51 seconds apart to make it a one-goal game with 3:41 left in the period.

Dachowski and Slobodrian traded goals before the second period ended; Gibson tied the game with 6:19 left in regulation.

Pennridge started the overtime with a four-skaters-to-three advantage after the Titans’ Logan Hood was flagged for interference with 42 seconds left in regulation but the Rams couldn’t take advantage.

South coach Shaun McGinty celebrated his team’s comeback.

“That’s a never-give-up attitude,” said. “That’s a team effort. [62] shots to 36, obviously, we’re getting the shots and controlling that end of the game. But [Winton] is an unbelievable goaltender. They obviously have guys that are going to do damage when they have the puck.

“Dachowski is a phenomenal player and he’s just going to do what he does.”

Montagna credited his team for its effort, Winton in particular.

“Jacob was obviously unbelievable in net,” he said. “I can’t say enough good things about our team tonight. They played a phenomenal game. I’m proud of them, I really am.

C.B. South 0 3 1 1—5

Pennridge 0 4 0 0—4

Second-period goals: Shane Venner (P) from Kaden Gunning, 2:00; Shane Dachowski (P) unassisted, 4:42; Dachowski (P) from James Rush, 11:02; Dominic Gibson (CBS) from Jeff Kvecher and Sean Cutter, 12:28 (pp); Joey Slobodrian (CBS) from Cutter, 13:19; Dachowski (P) from Rush, 14:43; Slobodrian (CBS) from Logan Hood and Jake Stepp, 16:02

Third-period goal: Gibson (CBS) from Slobodrian, 10:41

Overtime goal: J.D. Crouch (CBS) unassisted, 0:00

Shots: C.B. South 62, Pennridge 36; Saves: Nate Neapolitan (CBS) 32, Jacob Winton (P) 57

C.B. South 10 C.B. West 2

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—It took Central Bucks South some time to get started Wednesday night. But momentum kept building in the course of the Titans’ season-opening 10-2 win over Central Bucks West at Hatfield Ice Arena.

Leading just 1-0 after the opening period and 4-0 after the second, South put the game away with a four-goal spurt in a span of 3:03 early in the third period.

The Titans got contributions from many hands. Jeff Kvecher delivered a six-point night, scoring two goals and assisting four others. Ryan Montagna scored three goals and added an assist. Logan Hood added a goal and two assists while Keith Waldron generated three assists of his own.

Sean Cutter, the Titans’ captain, found his way onto the scoresheet with a goal and an assist.

“I thought we played pretty solid,” he said. “We started off slow, we definitely have stuff to clean up. But, I’m not disappointed. I think we’re going to have a strong season.”

West goaltender Isaac Mays his team in the game for two periods. The Bucks (0-1) were outshot 18-3 in the first frame and 64-18 for the game.

Anthony Dowd scored both goals for the Bucks, both of them coming in the third period.

The Bucks are one of youngest teams in the SHSHL but they made up for their lack of experience with a sustained effort.

“We’re young and we lack some experience,” said West coach Dave Baun, “but we play hard and you can’t really teach that. That’s a good baseline.

“If we play hard, we just gave to add one or two elements to our performance every game. If we do that, we’ll get better and the next time we play them, it will be a different game.”

South coach Shaun McGinty. “We had our shots, we had our chances [in the first period],” he said. “But with the first game you know nerves, anxiety, whatever you want to call it, the kids are going to play a little flat before they start settling in.

“After the first period we gave them a little talking to. Our D-zone was not what it should be. Then they were able to clean it up in the second and start to put it together. So, all in all it was a good showing by us, a step in the right direction.”

• The Titans carried pink stripes on their helmets to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month [October). The mother of one of South’s players is cancer patient.

“It as meaningful not just for [Cutter’s teammate] but for the team,” Cutter said. “I think it shows the character of the team and what we stand for.”

C.B.West 0 0 2—2

C.B. South 1 3 6—10

First-period goal: Jeff Kvecher (CBS) from Keith Waldron, 9:20

Second-period goals: Logan Hood (CBS) from Peter Herring, 1:51; Ryan Montagna (CBS) from Kvecher, 3:38; Alexander Cannon (CBS) from Herring, 4:53

Third-period goals: Sean Cutter (CBS) from Hood, 2:35; Kvecher (CBS) from Waldron and Montagna, 4:11; Joe Slobodrian (CBS) from Hood, 5:21; Hood (CBS) from Cutter, 5:38; Anthony Dowd (CBW) unassisted, 7:09; Montagna (CBS) from Kvecher, 7:42; Montagna (CBS) from Kvecher and Waldron, 7:58; Dowd (CBW) from Zane Sanders, 10:24

Shots: C.B. West 18, C.B. South 64 Saves: Isaac Mays (CBW) 54, Nate Napolitano (CBS) 16

Playoff Ponderings SHSHL 2-27-24

Wednesday, February 28

National Division Semifinals

Pennridge vs. 4. Central Bucks East

8:45 at Hatfield Ice

Pennridge (17-1-2)

The Rams will put one of the most potent lines in SHSHL history on ice. Kevin Pico has scored 28 goals and added 47 assists for 75 points. Andrew Savona has added 40 goals and 31 assists for 71 points while Shane Dachowski has provided 27 goals and 33 assists for 60 points. The trio finished first, third, and fifth respectively in the SHSHL in regular-season scoring.

Goaltender Jacob Winton carries an .897 save percentage and a 2.64 GAA.

Pennridge went 1-0-1 against East this season.

Central Bucks East 12-5-2

The Patriots will be without three players and Head Coach Jeff Mitchell Wednesday night due to suspensions but they will have the services of Corey Kosick who has scored 27 goals and added 12 assists for 39 points. Jaden Young has provided 10 goals and added 16 assists.

Goaltender Cole Breen carries an .895 save percentage and a 3.43 GAA.

The Patriots are hoping to get a chance to play for their first SHSHL title since 2011.

2. Council Rock South vs. 3. Central Bucks South

7:20 at Grundy Arena

Council Rock South (18-1)

The Golden Hawks are hoping for a chance to successfully defend their division title, something no National Division team has done since Central Bucks South won four straight division crowns from 2015-18.

Kevin Koles leads his team in scoring with 24 goals and 26 assists for 50 points. Jake Weiner is next with 28 goals and 20 assists for 48 points while Blaize Pepe has contributed 16 goals and 27 assists for 43 points.

Trevor Rakszawski is the probable starter in goal. He’s maintaining a 2.34 GAA with an .876 save percentage.

The Golden Hawks own two wins over the Titans this season.

Central Bucks South (13-7-1)

It’s been six years since the Titans last won an SHSHL title; they’re looking for a chance to play for another.

D.J. Lindenmuth paces the team in scoring with 22 goals and 15 assists for 37 points. Sean Cutter has added nine goals and 19 assists for 28 points. Nathan Napolitano carries an .883 save percentage and a 2.75 GAA in goal.

Dom Varacallo maintains an .880 save percentage and a 3.08 GAA.

The two semifinal winners will play for the National Division title Thursday night at a site and at a time TBD.

All four semifinalists will move on to the Class AA Flyers Cup on March 5

1.Pennridge will play 16. Bensalem

2. Council Rock South will play 15. Spring Ford

6. Central Bucks South will play 11. Avon Grove

8. Central Bucks East will play 9. Downingtown East

American Division Final

Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. 3. Bensalem

6:50 at Hatfield Ice

Plymouth Whitemarsh (13-3)

The Colonials will be trying for their first American Division title since 2020. David Branigan leads the team in scoring with 23 goals and 16 assists for 39 points. Dylan Novitski is next with 19 goals and 12 assists for 31 points. Jason Segal has contributed 14 goal and 16 assists for 30 points.

Goaltender Julian Lucks carries an .882 save percentage and a 3.21 GAA into the final.

The Colonials won two of three meetings with Bensalem during the regular season.

Bensalem (13-3)

The Owls will try and make history Wednesday night as they seek their first SHSHL title. Alex Hood was second in scoring in the entire SHSHL during the regular season; he’s scored 53 goals and added 20 assists for 73 points. Bensalem will be without second-leading scorer Alex Bazylevich who is serving a suspension but Lucas Gonzales has contributed 12 goal and 19 assists for 31 points.

Goaltender Ricky Gonzalez maintains a .907 save percentage and a 2.87 GAA.

Both teams are assured of moving on to the Flyers Cup. The Colonials are seeded eighth in the Class A field and will face Unionville on March 4. The Owls are seeded 16^th in the Class AA field and will go against Pennridge on March 5.

Pennridge 7 C.B. South 1

The last pieces of the SHSHL playoff puzzle are now in place.

Pennridge turned in a solid, workmanlike, effort Wednesday night, en route to a 7-1 win over Central Bucks South at Hatfield Ice.

The Rams closed the SHSHL regular season at 16-1-1 in divisional play (17-1-2 overall) and will be seeded first when the National Division playoffs commence next week.

Andrew Savona once more occupied center stage, scoring four goals and assisting on another.

His linemate, Kevin Pico, assisted on three goals while Shane Dachowski, the third member of the trio, scored two goals and assisted on another.

Pico spoke to the significance of the win with the playoffs at hand.

“It was huge,” he said. “Our last game of the season. To put up that many goals and get that first seed locked in.

Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna noted his team’s effort over the full 51 minutes.

“Tonight was probably our best game of the year,” he said. “One thing this team does really well is, when the goal is in front of them and they know what they’re playing for, they take it to a different level. They’ve done that for three years, they did that tonight. It was a great game all around.”

Dachowski gave the Rams the lead with 2:26 left in the opening period. In the second session, the floodgates opened when Savona, James Rush, and Savona again, scored three unanswered goals in a span of 11 minutes, 21 seconds. The first two were shorthanded, the third, Savona’s second coming just as a South penalty expired. For all intents and purposes it was game, set, and match Pennridge at that point.

The Titans (12-5-1 in the division, 12-7-1 overall), who will be seeded third for the playoffs never really got things started. Their only goal came off the stick of Ryan Montagna with 6:36 left in the third period.

“You’ve got to show up,” said South coach Shaun McGinty. “We lost three periods in a row. Defensively, we weren’t there. We gave up two shorthanded goals on four power plays. I said to the boys, ’There’s no mathematical equation that’s going to issue a W.

“You lose three periods in a row, you can’t win a game; you’ve got to take it one period at a time.”

The Rams, who were Class AA Flyers Cup finalists a year ago, and Flyers Cup and state champions the tear before, will now have a week-long break before beginning another postseason challenge.

“I think it will be a good week to have off,” Pico said, “resting up and then get going again.

“Some of our guys’ club seasons are over so now that we have [only] high school, it’s definitely a nice time that we can rest. Looking forward to playoffs, definitely.”

Ice chips: Pico leads the entire SHSHL in scoring with 28 goals and 47 assists for 75 points. Savona is next with 40 goals and 31 assists for 71 points, followed by Shane Dachowski (27-33-60).

“You can watch high-school hockey for a long time,” Montagna said. “You’re not going to find a better line than those three. It’s amazing, some of the things they do on the ice.”

C.B. South 0 0 1—1

Pennridge 1 4 2—7

First-period goal: Shane Dachowski (P) from Kevin Pico, 14:34

Second-period goals: Andrew Savona (P) from Pico, 1:47 (sh); James Rush, unassisted, 2:04; Savona (P) from Pico and Colin Dachowki, 13:08; Savona (P) from Nick Young, 16:05

Third-period goals: Savona (P) unassisted, 8:18; Ryan Montagna (CBS) from Colin Mendham and Sean Cutter, 10:24; Shane Dachowski (P) from Savona, 15:08

Shots: C.B. South 31, Pennridge 37; Saves: Nathan Neapolitan (CBS) 30, Jacob Winston (P) 30

Hockey Happenings is looking for individuals interested in supporting our coverage of the upcoming SHSHL playoffs. Contact us at the link above or at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com for details.

C.B. South 6 C.B. East 2

Like the pieces of a puzzle fitting together, The SHSHL’s National Division playoff mosaic is taking shape, with a huge assist from Central Bucks South,

Six different players scored goals as the Titans downed Central Bucks East 6-2 Thursday night at Hatfield Ice, a result that solidifies the division’s playoff bracket.

With the win, South (12-4-1 in the division, 12-5-1 overall) is assured of finishing third in the division standings while the Patriots (10-5-2 overall and in the division) will finish fourth. Both will see action in the opening round of the playoffs in two weeks.

On Thursday night, the Titans. heightened their focus, and turned in a workmanlike, no-frills, effort. D.J. Lindenmuth, their captain, scored a goal and assisted on three others.

The senior noted the importance of the veterans on the roster setting the right tone for their teammates.

“The younger guys look up to the veterans,” he said. “Of we’re not leading by example, or going out and stat padding, or going out and playing for ourselves, no one is going to win a game like that because it’s a team sport.

Tyan Frey, with help from Lindenmuth, and Grant Boyne, gave South a 2-0 first-period lead.

Corey Kosick scored for East 4:42 into the second period to make it a one-goal game for a time but Lindenmuth answered with 2:38 left in the period.

Jaden Young’s tally 4:42 into the third frame made things interesting but the Titans left in the Patriots in their wake when Sean Cutter, Jeff Kvectcher, and Joey Slobodrian scored goals in a two-and-a-half minute span.

South coach Shaun McGinty expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance.

“The boys needed that,” he said. “I thought it was three good periods.

“We definitely got to work, getting the puck deep, playing the physicality.”

McGinty stressed the importance if his team playing quality five-on-five hockey.

“I said to [his players] ‘You have an identity, you have to play that way,” he said. “You can’t sway into other teams’ ways and you can’t sway into individual high-powered offense.

“You stay five on five and play our way, pucks deep, playing physical. I thought our defense was much better than it had been the last two games.

“All in all, it was definitely a good team win, something that they needed.”

Lindenmuth says that with the postseason approaching, he and his teammates are focusing on what is to come.

“We’re definitely dialed in,” he said, “focusing on the path ahead, realizing it’s important to win these games, but not just game.

“Every period, every shift, every point, every goal, everything matters.”

Ice chips: The final order of finish in the National Division; Pennridge and Council Rock South are assured of the top two spots, the final order will be determined next week.

The next four spots will belong to Central Bucks South, Central Bucks East, North Penn, and Souderton in that order.

C.B. South 2 1 3—6

C.B. East 0 11—2

First-period goals: Ryan Frey (CBS) from DJ. Lindenmuth, 5:49; Grant Boyne (CBS) from Peter Herring, 11:34

Second-period goals: Corey Kosick (CBE) from Ethan Cenci and David Brown, 4:42; Lindenmuth (CBS) unassisted, 14:22

Third-period goals: Jaden Young (CBE) from Drew Trask and Gavin Widmer, 4:42; Sean Cutter (CBS) from Lindenmuth, 5:49; Jeff Kvectcher (CBS) from Logan Hood and Keith Waldron, 6:48; Joey Slobodrian (CBS) from Lindenmuth, 8:21

Shots: C.B. South 45, C.B. East 21; Saves: Nate Napolitano (CBS) 19, Cole Breen (CBE) 39

Pennridge 6 C.B. South 5 OT

HATFIELD TOWNSIP—It was quite a comeback. Trailing 5-1 early in the third period, Pennridge rallied for a 6-5 overtime win over Central Bucks South Thursday night at Hatfield Ice in a SHSHL National Division encounter.

James Rush scored the winning goal 1:23 into overtime.

The win, the Rams’ 10^th without a blemish this season, comes 24 hours after Wednesday’s much-celebrated win over Council Rock South. From the Rams’ perspective, Thursday’s comeback win was just as emotional, a comeback fueled in part by an injury to a goaltender.

With 2:29 left in the second period and the Titans (6-3-1, 6-2-1 in the division holding a 2-1 lead, Pennridge netminder Jacob Winton was involved in a collision with a South player in his crease. After a lengthy delay, Winton, the only goaltender the Rams had dressed, remained in the game.

No penalty was called on the play but when play finally resumed the emotional temperature of the game rose exponentially.

“I don’t think he tried to run the goalie,” said the Rams’ Colin Dachowski, “but if your goalie goes down like that, you always want to have his back and come back for him.”

Winton himself seemed to be feeling the effect of the collision. Ryan Frey extended South’s lead with 56 seconds remaining in the second period before D.J. Lindenmuth and Joey Slobodrian connected two miutes apart in the third to give the Titans a four-goal lead with 11:05 remaining in regulation.

Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna knew Winton was struggling.

“He wasn’t right,” Montagna said. “I think three of the next five shots they scored on. I don’t know what [the collision] did. I think it kind of ignited some of them because they were upset that it happened. I’m not really sure what happened on the play. But it did wake us up a little bit.”

Andrew Savona, with help from Kevin Peco, got Pennridge back in the game with a pair of shorthanded goals just 18 seconds apart to make it a 5-3 game with 9:43 left in regulation.

Pico scored a goal of his own during a power play to make it a one-goal game with 7:56 still left, the key question was whether the Titans could stymie the Pennridge assault.

Savona gave an emphatic answer when he completed a hat trick and tied the game with 4:19 remaining.

Rush’s winning goal came on his team’s only shot of the extra session.

South coach Shaun McGinity said his team’s lack of experience in pressure situations led to its undoing.

“Individuals allowed themselves to become individuals rather than team,” he said, “and we had about a minute-and-a-half of a lapse. Pennridge, being the team they are with the experience they have, they were able to capitalize on two shorthanded goals.

“Once that ball starts to roll. It’s a challenge for young players to gather themselves back together.

“I’ll take the onus on that; I’ve got to do a better job of helping them regain that focus.”

Coming just a day after the emotional won over Council Rock South, Montagna praised his team’s resolve.

“It’s really difficult, after last night’s emotion, to go down 5-1 and somehow summon the energy and emption to rally like they did,” he said. “That’s as good a rally as you’re ever going to see especially coming off last night,

Pennridge 0 1 4 1—6

C.B. South 0 3 2 0—5

Second-period goals: Jeff Kvetcher (CBS) unassisted, 7:54; Nolan Shaw (P) unassisted,9:29; Sean Cutter (CBS) from Kvetcher and Jake Kunkle, 13:55; Ryan Frey (CBS) from Ryan Montagna,16:04

Third-period goals: D.J. Lindenmuth (CBS) unassisted, 3:50; Joey Slobodrian (CBS) from Aidan Linzo, 5:55; Andrew Savona (P) from Kevin Pico, 6:59 (sh); Savona (P) from Pico, 7:17 (sh); Pico (P) from James Rush and John Mikolich, 9:04 (pp); Savona (P) from Mikolich, 12:41

Overtime goal: Young (P) from Colin Dachowski, 1:23

Shots: Pennridge 35, C.B. South 41; Saves: Jacob Winton (Pr) 36: Dominic Varacallo (CBS) 29

Philadelphia Blind Hockey Event Brings Awareness to Vision Issues

Some high-school hockey players got a new view of their sport and some life lessons along with it Thursday night. Players from nine area high-school teams participated in the inaugural Philadelphia Blind Hockey 3 on 3 Blind Awareness Tournament at Hatfield Ice.

Proceeds from the evening benefitted the Philadelphia Blind Hockey organization.

Each team participated in two 24-minute cross-ice scrimmages while wearing googles designed to simulate various forms of vision loss (goaltenders were blindfolded).

For Central Bucks South senior captain D.J. Lindenmuth, it was a unique experience.

“It was something I’ve never experienced,” he said. “I was playing basically blinded at some points with barriers in my vision, but it was a great time. Everyone had some fun.”

Lindenmuth tried on an assortment of versions of the goggles. One pair simulated cataracts. Another gave the players a sense of the effects of diabetes on eyesight.

Lindenmuth noted how skating with reduced vision impacted his perception of the ice.

“If definitely changed the game for sure,” he said. “You’ve got to use your ears a lot more to make sure you know where you are on the ice. It’s more or less listening, and knowing where your teammates are knowing where you need to go, where the net’s at.”

Pennridge senior Kevin Pico said he and his teammates tried on an assortment of goggles to get an overview of different types of vision loss. On the ice their sense of hearing helped them adapt to their new surroundings.

“You’ve be quiet and listen to [the puck] so you can hear the jingles of the [ball bearings] inside of it,” Pico said.

Central Bucks South coach Shaun McGinty stressed the importance of his team being part of the event.

“[Flyers Cup Committee President] Eric Tye invited us to do this and I didn’t even ask my board’s permission,” he said. “I just said ‘We’re in.’

“It wasn’t a thought process for me. It was ‘We’re in, whatever I can do.’ Part of community service is understanding what you have, and giving up your time.”

Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna took note of the atmosphere at Hatfield Ice, both inside and outside the Blue Rink.

“This is incredible,” he said. “We’re really proud to be a part of this. I know the players are. They can’t believe the event they put together out here. It’s really, really, cool to watch.”

Montagna had no shortage of athletes who wanted to take part in Wednesday night’s event before he selected 10.

“They all volunteered for this,” he said. We had more guys that wanted to do this than we had room. I think that’s what I’m most proud of.

“They’ve loved working with these kids [at Philadelphia Blind Hockey clinics], they’ve loved working with this program. It’s gotten bigger and bigger for our players and we hope be a part of it moving forward.”

Pico says being part of Thursday night’s event gave him a new appreciation for what visually impaired people dal with on a day-to-day basis.

“You’ve got to give them respect,” he said. “[Playing hockey while visually impaired] It looks a lot easier than it is and once you actually try, you realize how hard it is.”

Lindenmuth says that participating in the tournament is part of the Titans’ commitment to giving back.

“I think that it shows that our club does things for the community,” he said. “They want everyone to notice [Philadelphia] Blind Hockey. And just raise awareness and have a good time.

“Hockey is one big family. Everyone looks out for each other.”

McGinty was asked what life lessons he would like his players to take away from Thursday night’s experience.”

“To not take things for granted,” he said. “To understand that you’re given a gift and you’re an able-bodied person. There’s kids out here trying to do what you do and they should be excited to come to the rink and they should never think to themselves ‘I don’t want to go to practice tonight or ‘What time is practice over?’ The moment they’re thinking that, they’re taking it for granted.

“I tell my boys all the time, your four years of high school go by so fast but to come out here tonight put it in the perspective of something that could be taken away from you or something your born with a vision or some other disability.”

• In addition to Central Bucks South and Pennridge, the teams that participated in the event included Haverford, Springfield Delco, Malvern Prep, Holy Ghost Prep, Father Judge, North Penn, and Penncrest.

Find out more about Philadelphia Blind Hockey

Blind Hockey Event to Kick Off Scholastic Season

The Philadelphia Blind Hockey 3 on 3 Blind Awareness Tournament will serve as the unofficial curtain raiser for the scholastic hockey season. It will also exemplify the power of the game of hockey to give back to the communities it touches.

Nine high-school teams will converge at Hatfield Ice on Thursday night. North Penn will be one of them.

Kevin Vaitis, the Knights’ head coach, notes the positive impact hockey has on the community at large.

“We are always looking for ways that we as an organization can give back to the community,” he said. “We do volunteer work, organize a toy drive for those in our community, and help run learn-to -play programs for future ice hockey players at North Penn.

“When we were asked to participate in this event, this was a no-brainer. To give the players an opportunity to see what kind of impact they can make when we all come together for a common cause is truly an unforgettable moment that these kids will remember for a long time. We thank (Flyers Cup President Eric Tye) and the members of Blind Hockey Awareness for including us and we look forward to a great evening and raising a lot of money for a wonderful cause.”

Holy Ghost Prep will also field a team in the tournament. Senior forward Mike Holt, the Firebirds’ captain feels it’s important that he be in the lineup.

“As a captain, I feel like there was definitely a need to step up and let our guys know what we’re all about at Ghost,” he said. “Although a big part of what we do is trying to win and things like that, another big part of it is giving back to the community and I feel like I needed to set that example for my teammates.

“I feel like it’s going to be a great opportunity not just to show my teammates but to show everybody in the awareness that needs to be set for blind hockey.”

Holt, as well as the other players who will skate in the tournament, had a chance to try on the reduced-vision goggles the players will wear on the ice.

“It was definitely a unique experience,” Holt said, “but I think one of the things we took away from it was really realizing what these guys and girls playing blind hockey, or with any kind of disability, go through, not just in hockey but in everyday life, every single day.

“I think it’s important that we raise awareness and we kind of feel what they have to go through. I think it’s really important that we were able to get that experience and so having had that experience we are definitely pumped up to raise awareness and to participate.”

North Penn captain Joey Silvotti, a senior forward, has also tried on the goggles.

“It was challenging,” he said. “When I put the goggles on, I started to think how hard it must be for these players who go through this every day. It made me look forward to being able to participate in the fundraiser event. Myself along with my team and the other teams that night, we want to do everything we can to make it a great night for all those players that are a part of the Blind Hockey Awareness program.”

Besides North Penn and Holy Ghost Prep, the tournament will also include Pennridge, Central Bucks South, Haverford, Malvern Prep, Springfield-Delco, Father Judge, and Penncrest.

Player introductions begin at 6:00 and the first games will kick off at 6:25.

Schedule Set for Philadelphia Blind Hockey Benefit

The schedule has been announced for the Philadelphia Blind Hockey 3 on 3 Blind Awareness tournament. The event is set for Thursday, October 26 at Hatfield Ice beginning at 6 p.m. with pre-tournament introductions. Nine high-school teams will play in the tournament, which will feature three-on-three cross-ice games (three skaters and a goaltender).

The players will be wearing goggles to simulate visual impairment; goaltenders will be blindfolded.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Philadelphia Blind Hockey, which is staging the tournament in conjunction with the Flyers Cup Committee.

The nine schools will be divided into three pools of three teams each. The schedule is as follows:

6:25 Holy Ghost Prep vs. Central Bucks South

Pennridge vs. Father Judge

Malvern Prep at North Penn

6:55 Haverford vs. Holy Ghost Prep

Father Judge vs. Penncrest

Springfield (Delco) vs. Malvern Prep

7:25 Central Bucks South vs. Haverford

Penncrest vs. Pennridge

North Penn vs. Springfield-Delco

For more information about the tournament, go to the Flyers Cup You Tube Channel