1-12-18

Hatboro-Horsham was primed for Senior Night. And it showed early on. The Hatters scored goals on the first three shots of the game and went on to a 7-2 win over Upper Moreland in Suburban High School Hockey League action at Revolution Ice Gardens.

The Hatters (7-2 overall and in the SHSHL’s Class A Division) recognized the five seniors on their roster prior to the opening faceoff and their level of energy remained high after the puck was dropped. Jacob Mueller one of the five, scored just 12 seconds into the game when a puck deflected past Upper Moreland goaltender Michael Denardo.

Dylan McClure another senior, followed with two quick goals of his own to put Hatboro-Horsham up 3-0 after just 69 seconds of playing time. “I think we played pretty good,” he said. ”We came in and did what we needed to do.”

The possibility of blowout loomed at that point but Denardo stepped up and kept the Hatters at bay for the balance of the period.

The Golden Bears (0-8, 0-7 in the division got on the scoreboard at the 7:01 mark of the middle period when Noah Goodson, one of eight freshmen on the Upper Moreland roster, scored a power-play goal. Kyle Mullen and Aidan Esack scored goals for the Hatters to extend their lead; Aiden’s goal came with 1:04 left in the period.

Prior to the ensuing faceoff Upper Moreland lost Goodson with a minor penalty plus a misconduct for a mouthpiece violation and by the third period the Golden Bears, who have just 13 players on their roster, were running low on energy reserves.  Ben Heywood scored for the Hatters at the 10:50 mark at the final frame before Hatboro-Horsham’s Nathan Reilly and Goodson traded goals in the final minute.

Through it all, Denardo continued to excel in the Upper Moreland net. He finished with 50 saves. Hatboro-Horsham had a 57-15 edge in shots.

 

For Upper Moreland coach Mike Denardo, Friday’s game was another step in the process of building a program. “Three of them had never played hockey before,” he said, “so that was parents and friends asking kids to come out and give it a try.”

Denardo notes his newcomers work to get ice time to improve their skating skills. “They go out and skate on their own,” he said, “which is a plus because we only have one split practice a week. So they go out and play open hockey, they skate on the ponds. They’re trying. They’re putting the work in.”

 

Hatboro-Horsham 3 2 2—7

Upper Moreland 0 1 1—2

First-period goals: Jacob Mueller (HH) unassisted, :12; Dylan McClure (HH) from Mueller, :32; McClure (HH) from Nathan Reilly, 1:09.

Second-period goals: Noah Goodson (UM) from Brad Helsinger, 7:01 (pp); Kyle Mullen (HH) from McClure and Mueller, 13:30; Aidan Esack (HH) unassisted, 14:56.

Third period goals: Ben Heywood (HH) from Mullen and McClure, 10:50; Reilly (HH) from Shane Mergen, 15:07; Noah Goodson (UM) unassisted, 15:18.

Shots: Hatboro-Horsham 57, Upper Moreland 15; Saves: Ryan Bell (HH) 13, Michael Denardo (UM) 50.

Records: Hatboro-Horsham (7-2 overall and in SHSHL Class A Division); Upper Moreland (0-8, 0-7 in the division)

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