Hawks Win Purple Puck Title

For the third time in four years, St. Joseph’s Prep has claimed a title at the Purple Puck Tournament.

Jack Ely and Bradan Fisher scored goals three-and-a-half minutes apart as the Hawks edged fellow APAC member The Hun School 3-2 for the Prep Division championship Monday afternoon at the St. James Sports Complex in Springfield, Virginia just outside Washington, D.C.

St. Joseph’s Prep (11-4 overall) overcame a 2-1 deficit to post its sixth consecutive win and avenge a 2-1 loss overtime loss to the Raiders in an APAC game on December 10.

John Wagner opened the scoring for St. Joseph’s Prep just 1:31 into the 25-minute first half. Jacob Kelly-LePage tied the game for the Raiders (8-4) at the 6:06 mark before Luca Jean gave Hun School a 2-1 lead 8:54 into the half.

The Raiders were undermined however by two major penalties late in the first half. Jean received a five-minute penalty for slashing with 3:47 left in the half and Anders Van Raalte was flagged for head butting with 18 seconds left, putting Hun School two men down to start the third period.

The Hawks took advantage. Ely tied the game exactly one minute into the half and Fisher delivered the game winner at the 4:33 mark with Hun School still one man short.

“We got lucky to survive through first half only one down,” said St. Joseph’s Prep coach Charlie Van Kula. “I think the two games in one day without leaving the rink threw off our routine and rhythm and it showed with how we came out.

“But we showed a lot of grit to reset and play out game in the second half.

“I’m really proud of our guys, both jayvee and varsity, on how they represented our program, on and off the ice.”

Hun School head coach Nathaniel Welsh missed the tournament because of a family obligation so assistant coach Kevin Morello was in charge behind the Raider bench.

“I’d have to say the more disciplined team came out on top,” he said. I’m still proud of our group. We’ll continue to improve and will see them {St. Joseph’s Prep} again in the APAC.”

Ice chips—Fisher finished the tournament with five goals and four assists. Cole Gargon added five goals and three assists. They were the top two scorers in the six-team Prep Division.

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 2—3

The Hun School 2 0—2

First-half goals: John Warner (SJP) from Michael Castelli, 1:31; Jacob Kelly-LePage (HS) from Conor Mulligan and Devin Espana, 5:06; Luca Jean (HS) from Andrew Darst, 8:54

Second-half goals: Jake Ely (HGP) from Cole Gargon and Noah Stuhl, 1:00 (pp); Bradan Fisher (SJP) from Castelli, 4:33 (pp);

Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 35, Hun School 23; Saves: Declan Geary (SJP) 21, Blake Echternacht (HS) 32

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

Van Kula Named Coach at St. Joseph’s Prep

Charlie Van Kula is the new varsity hockey coach at St. Joseph’s Prep. He replaces David Giacomin who spent 14 seasons behind the Hawks’ bench.

For the past three seasons Van Kula has coached the Hawks’ JV Gray team. He has also served as a varsity assistant and been a coach for the Ed Snider Youth Hockey organization.

A St. Joseph’s Prep graduate, Van Kula was a four-year letter winner as a goaltender for the Hawks before going on to Boston College where he was a student manager apart from a brief stint as a walk on during the 2015-16 season.

Van Kula returned to the Prep in 2018-19 as an Alumni Service Corps member, during which time he served as a Varsity and JV assistant coach. He was a frequent presence at subsequent Prep Hockey summer camps and clinics.

Van Kula has also coached with a variety of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey and Education organization’s programs from 2018-2021. Since 2022 he has been a full-time member of St. Joseph Prep’s Institutional Advancement team.

In addition to his coaching and playing experience, Van Kula has been an on-ice official for the past 17 seasons, including three full-time seasons in the USHL and NAHL. He currently referees at the NCAA Division I and Division III levels.