Tag: Gump Whiteside

Pennridge 3 Holy Ghost Prep 2 OT

     TRENTON, N.J.—The Pennridge Rams took the ice Wednesday night looking to make a statement. And they did. Andrew Savona’s goal with 1:26 remaining in overtime gave the Rams a 3-2 non-league victory over Holy Ghost Prep. 

The win was Pennridge’s eighth this season without a blemish and it came on a night when the Rams were without veteran forwards Aidan Boyle and Andrew David. And while only a sparse crowd was on hand to witness the encounter inside the cavernous Cure Insurance Arena, the result is sure to reverberate within the area hockey community.

“These guys really wanted to play this game,” said Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna. “They wanted this game. “And (when it was scheduled) they were really excited. Because, they wanted a chance to show that they were as good as anybody and that they could play with anybody.

Montagna was proud of the way his team battled the Firebirds.

“They didn’t back down,” he said. “They went toe to toe with them and they deserved everything they got tonight. I don’t know if it’s making a statement but I hope it showed them they can play with anybody of they do what they’re supposed to do.”

Holy Ghost Prep (9-3) had the better of the in a scoreless period but was the Rams who struck first, 4:50 into the second frame finished off a play that originated deep in the Pennridge defensive zone.

The goal seemed to wake up the Firebirds and Landon Stout tied the game at the 6:25 mark.

 His teammate Brady Baehser gave Holy Prep a 2-1 lead 6:43 into the third period when he scored during a four-on-four situation.

The game seemed to be flowing the Firebirds way at that point but Shane Dachowski tied the game for Pennridge when he beat Holy Ghost Prep goaltender Jason Soule from close range at the 10:42 mark.

Soule and Pennridge’s Ryan Pico each made one big save in overtime before Savona’s game winner.

Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside said his team needs to make some changes.

“(Changes in) how we approach the game,” he said. “How we approach each shift, how we approach each other.

“I thought we were a little two individualistic tonight but they’re high-school kids. And talking to these guys after the game, I know they have each other’s backs.”

• There was a scary moment when Pennridge forward Aeryk Lehrhaupt was taken into the wall with 3:52 left in the second period. Lehrhaupt was down on the ice for several minutes but left the ice surface under how own power … The Rams enjoyed a 35-25 edge in shots.

Pennridge 0 1 1 1—3

Holy Ghost Prep 0 1 1 0—2

Second-period goals: Jack Lowery (P) from Aeryk Lehrhaupt, 4:50; Landon Stout (HG) from Brian Butler and Kieran Mulholland, 6:25

Third-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) from Colin Moore and Sean Marshall, 6:43; Shane Dachowski (P) from Ryan Shuler, 10:42

Overtime goal: Andrew Savona (P) from Colin Dachowski and Shane Dachowski, 3:34

Shots: Pennridge 35, Holy Ghost Prep 25; Saves:  Ryan Pico (P) 23, Jason Soule (HGP) 32

Jeff Mauro has written a book on the history of the Pennsylvania state high school hockey championship. To find out more and order a copy CLICK HERE

Hun School 6 Holy Ghost Prep 1

HAMILTON TOWNSHOP—The impact of the eruption was overwhelming. The Hun School scored three goals in a span of 56 seconds in the second period, added another goal just 36 seconds later, and went on to a 6-1 win over Holy Ghost Prep Friday afternoon in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game at Ice Land.

With the score tied 1-1 early in the second period and his team on a power play, Brandon Marino launched a shot from the left wing that hit the back of the Firebirds’ net at the 3:48 mark. He scored a second goal on a similar play just 18 seconds later. Don Carney made at 4-1 game at 4:44 when the Firebirds turned the puck over in front of their own net.

The Raiders’ Josh Sosner drew a cross checking penalty at the 5:05 mark but the barrage continued uninterrupted. Seth Kaplan, who had scored the Raiders’ first goa, added a second at 5:20 off another Holy Ghost Prep turnover, this one at the blue line.

“We were laying the body a lot,” Kaplan said. “I think once we do that, we set the tone and kind of understand what we have to do for the rest of the game.
“And so, we went out there the first two shifts, laid a lot of hits, and I think that set the tone; we started going from there.”

Kaplan noted the melding of the Raiders’ physical style with their offensive output. “The past couple games we had some struggles scoring,” he said. “And I think game we showed ourselves, showed everybody, that we are able to score, and we’re going to keep putting it in on them and we’re not going to stop. 

“We’re just going to keep scoring as much as we can. That’s our game.”
Facing a four-goal deficit, the Firebirds called time out and made a goaltender change, replacing Jason Soule with Colin Mudrick. Mark Gall completed the scoring by adding his team’s fifth goal of the period, beating Mudrick at 7:38.

Holy Ghost Prep and Hun School get the afternoon underway.

Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside called the Hun School outburst “Five minutes of bad hockey. 

“This is not typical of the way we’ve been playing,” he said. “But I really liked the way responded in the third period,” (which was scoreless). They battled and they capitalized on our missed opportunities.”

Just 48 hours after a loss at La Salle, the Raiders (5-3 overall, 1-1-1-0 in the APAC) looked altogether different against the Firebirds (9-2, 1-2-1-0), who saw a six-game winning streak end.

“When we had success the first couple weeks of the season we were confident, physical, and that was a big part of our game,” said Hun School coach Ian McNally. “Then, we played Princeton Day School a couple weeks ago and we got called for so many penalties I think we became a little bit tentative playing that style and kind of reverted away from it.

“Today, the thought was ‘We’ve got to get back to that heavy game we played the first couple weeks.’”

The Raiders had a 29-21 edge in shots. Stephen Chen got the win in goal.

Holy Ghost Prep 1 0 0—1

Hun School 1 5 0—6

First-period goals: Seth Kaplan (HS) from Jake Ovelette, 15:46; Luke Penepresso (HGP) unassisted, 16:43

Second-period goals: Brandon Marino (HS) from Ovelette, 3:48 (pp); Marino (HS) from Elian Estulin, 4:06; Dan Carney (HS) Josh Sosner, 4:44; Kaplan (HS) from Ryan Croddick, 5:20 (sh); Mark Gall (HS) from Estulin and Marino, 7:38

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 21, Hun School 29

Hun School goaltender Stephen Chen makes a quality save.

Video provided by the Hun School

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For more about Holy Ghost Prep Click Here

Holy Ghost Prep Headed North

 It’s a trip that has become a tradition in the Holy Ghost Prep hockey program, one that offers a plethora of benefits, on and off the ice. The Firebirds are in Jamestown N.Y. this weekend for the National Scholastic Invitational.

The tournament brings together some of the finest scholastic hockey programs in America while at the same time allowing the players to spend quality time together off the ice.

Senior Brian Butler is making the trip for the second time.

“It’s really just having the house and all the guys hanging around together,” he said. “And then, just remembering that we’re there to win the tournament; that’s really the bottom line.”

Butler says the time spent together off the ice helps the players get to know each other as people, particularly their younger teammates.

“Definitely, we have the core group of guys that I play club with,” he said, “but, with the newer guys this year, especially the two freshmen, the trip just means everything. It’s really important just to get to know everybody, and just bond to the team, and I think that can only help us, especially going into the playoffs.”

Butler says the upperclassmen on the roster take on the responsibility of assisting the newcomers.

“It’s really our job to make sure the underclassmen feel comfortable,” he said, “and I just remember my first time in Jamestown (two years ago), the seniors did a great job. That’s what we’re going to try and do here.”

Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside is taking a team to Jamestown for the 13th time.

“We use it as a team builder,” he said. “A chance to get away from school. Just be by ourselves, eat together, play games together, just get to know one another away from the rink a little bit.”

Whiteside emphasizes the importance of the seniors’ role on the trip. “The seniors that are going way with us have obviously experienced this tournament,” he said, “and played a major part in the tournament, and they play a major part in the success of our team.

“The underclassmen really look up to them for guidance and support, I’ve always said our leadership group is an extension of our coaching staff and I think this year with Luke (Pappareso)  Brian, and Sean (Marshall), I think it’s quite evident that they’re truly the leaders of the team and kind of set the tone.”

The Firebirds were scheduled to open tournament play Friday evening at 6:15 against DeMatha (Md.) before playing two more games on Saturday against Medina and Cathedral Prep. Sunday’s schedule if any will depend on the results of those games.

Jeff Mauro has written a book on the history of the Pennsylvania state high school hockey championship. To find out more and order a copy CLICK HERE

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Malvern Prep 3 Holy Ghost Prep 1

 There weren’t a lot of surprises at the Wells Fargo Center Wednesday night. Holy Ghost Prep and Malvern Prep know each other well as a result of their history in the APAC.

It was the Friars who prevailed on this occasion.  Jimmy Jacobs scored one goal and assisted on another to help his side to a 3-1 win in front of an energetic audience.

It was the fourth meeting between the two teams since last February

“I think since we played each other three times last year we kind of figured each other out,” Jacobs said. “Both goalies played really good, it was just a scrappy game. Nothing really pretty. We just had to crash the net hard and we won a lot of battles.
Gavin Wilson gave the Friars (4-1, 2-0 in the APAC) the lead 5:27 into the second period when he flipped the puck over the shoulder of Holy Ghost Prep netminder Jason Soule with Jacobs assisting. but Brady Baehser tied the game for the Firebirds (3-1, 2-1) just 22 seconds later.

Jacobs deposited what proved to be the winning goal at the 10:50 mark of the period, a power-play effort that came while the Firebirds’ Patrick Slook was serving a holding minor.

Both Soule and Anthony Perti were sharp in the third period, each making some strong saves to keep their opponents at bay.

Quinn Dougherty who played against Holy Ghost Prep in the Wells Fargo Center three years ago (he recorded an assist on that occasion) etched his name into history one more time when he scored into an empty net with 42 seconds remaining in regulation.

It was a satisfying evening for Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan. “With Ghost, coming off two big wins in the league (over La Salle and St. Joseph’s Prep) we knew it would be a tough fight,” he said. “Our boys showed up, and we’re glad to get out of here with a win.”

Keenan felt his team dealt successfully with the atmosphere inside the building. “I think overall, there was a lot of energy,” he said. “The message was to take it all in, soak it all in.

“There are only so many opportunities to play down here. The guys returning, they knew what it was like. But all these new guys, it was a big undertaking and it was good to see them settle in.”

Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside noted his team had an off night. “Credit to Malvern,” he said. “They played well, well enough to win the game. We just didn’t have our best effort. It was disappointing from a coaching standpoint. But we know we can play better.

”Whiteside is confident his team will rebound from the loss. “This is one game,” he said. “There were a lot of bad habits tonight obviously, but we’ll regroup at practice tomorrow and next week and go into Thanksgiving with some positives.”

Holy Ghost Prep 0 1 0—1

Malvern Prep 0 2 1—3

First-period goals: Gavin Wilson (MP) from Jimmy Jacobs, and Matt Harris, 5:27

Second-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) from John Seravalli and Sean Marshall, 5:49; Jimmy Jacobs (MP) from Jeremy Jacobs and Brady Doyle, 10:50 (pp)

Third-period goals: Quinn Dougherty (MP) from Pierre Larocque, 16:18 (en)

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 31, Malvern Prep 26 Saves: Jason Soule (HGP) 23, Anthony Perti (MP) 30

Gavin Wilson scores the game’s first goal (Video by Gracie Cleveland)

For more about Malvern Prep CLICK HERE

For more about Holy Ghost Prep CLICK HERE

Elsewhere:

St. Augustine 3, St. Joseph’s Prep 2

Enzo Fanelli’s goal with 5:30 left in the third period gave St. Augustine a 3-2 win over St. Joseph’s Prep on Wednesday at the Class of 1923 rink.

Liam Mooney and Jeffrey Hammond scored for the Hawks

St. Augustine 1 1 1—3

St. Joseph’s Prep 0 2 0—2

Holy Ghost Prep 5, St. Joseph’s Prep 4 OT

Standing on the edge of the abyss, Holy Ghost Prep refused to yield. The Firebirds scored the last three goals of the evening to overcome a 4-2 second-period deficit and record a 5-4 overtime win over St. Joseph’s Prep in an APAC contest at the Skatium that was a splendid advertisement for high-school hockey.

Brady Baehser scored the  game winner with 1:21 remaining in the three-on-three overtime, his second goal of the game.

The win was the third straight for Holy Ghost Prep (2-0 in the APAC).  Joey Samango scored twice for the Hawks (2-1 against high-school competition), who were opening their conference schedule 

Midway through the second period, things were going pretty much the Hawks’ way. With the game tied 1-1, Dante Passio, Joey Samango, and Christian Short scored goals inn a span of 5 minutes, 21 seconds to put the hosts up 4-1 with 6:47 left in the period, prompting Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside to use his timeout.

Colin Moore’s  power-play goal with 2:20 left brought Holy Ghost Prep a bit closer but the Firebirds still started the third period two goals down, albeit in full possession of their resolve.

“We don’t get down on each other,” Baehser said. “We stay together, stay positive, talk about what we need to do, and get the job done.”

Baehser delivered a power-play goal 2:52 into the third period to make it a one-goal game. For the rest of the third period the two goaltenders, St. Joseph’s Prep’s Rocco Bruno and Holy  Ghost Prep’s Colin Mudrick, took turns making quality saves.

Bruno yielded just once more, when Zach Pers tied the game with 1:53 remaining in regulation.

Baehser’s overtime effort was a memorable conclusion to the evening.

“I’m really proud of our boys,” Whiteside said. “I told them at the beginning of the season I was going to ask two things from them, that they work hard, have a good work ethic, and I want you to be a good teammate.

“I think you saw that in the third period and overtime. We stuck together. I think we really settled our game down, once we called that timeout. We chased the game a little bit, which you never want to do, but I was really proud of the effort and proud of our senior leadership.”

Holy Ghost Prep 1 1 2 1—5

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 3 0 0—4

First-period goals: Landon Stout (HGP) from Kieran Mulholland and Shaun Moore, 6:27 (pp); Joey Samango (SJP) from Quinn Egan, 13:36

Second-period goals: Dante Passio (SJP) from Nick Storti, 4:52 (pp); Samango (SJP) from Luca Palachick and Egan, 6:03; Christian Short (SJP) unassisted, 10:13 Colin Moore (HGP) from John Seravalli and Luke Penepresso, 14:40 (pp);

Third-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) from Seravalli and Moore, 2:52 (pp); Zach Pers (HGP) from Stout and Mulholland, 15:07.

Overtime goal: Baehser (HGP) from Marshall,  3:39

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 25, St. Joseph’s Prep 25; Saves: Colin Mudrick (HGP) 21, Rocco Bruno (SJP) 20

Joey Samango scores the game’s first goal.

Video courtesy of Jost Winata

Holy Ghost Prep 3, La Salle 1

A fast start proved decisive for Holy Ghost Prep Wednesday afternoon. The Firebirds scored twice before the game was six minutes old and went on to  a 3-1 win over La Salle in an APAC encounter at Hatfield Ice Arena.

Landon Stout beat La Salle netminder Will Braun just 41 seconds after the opening faceoff off a dash down the right wing, and Sean Marshall added a power-play goal at the 5:32 mark as Holy Ghost Prep won its second straight start and its conference opener.

Coach Gump Whiteside appreciated his team’s energy level, particularly in the first period.

“I thought we came out with a good start,” he said. “Any time you play La Salle, you’ve got to be on your toes.”

La Salle (0-2 overall and in the APAC) cut the deficit in half when Matthew Conforti scored just 12 seconds into the middle period. It was the Explorers first goal of the season and seemed to give them an energy boost; La Salle outshot the Firebirds 22-12 over the finals 34 minutes, but couldn’t pocket another goal, thanks in large part to the work of Firebird  goaltender Jason Soule. The senior and first-year starter finished with 34 saves.

“Jay was huge for us,” Whiteside said. “ He’s playing really well and the kids really rally around him.”

Marshall finished the scoring with an empty-net goal with 15 seconds remaining in the final period. “We said in the the locker room before the game ‘We’ve got to come out strong,’” he said. “It’s a great team on the other side. I knew we had to come out strong, and we did. We  put it too them in the first couple minutes and scored two quick. 

“We lost our momentum a little bit but we got it back. We battled in the third period and never gave up.”

Despite the final result, La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner took an abundance of positives away from the encounter.

“I thought it was a good game,” he said. “After we gave up two, we settled in pretty well.

“I think Will played a great game after he settled down a little bit, and our second and third period, I thought we played really well.

“We’ve got to find a way to start scoring some goals.”

Marshall noted the game was the latest in a long strong of close encounters between the Firebirds and the Explorers. “Both teams are good every year,” he said, “A lot of people on both teams are seniors. When they graduate, new people come in. They battle every game.”

Prior to the opening face-off, the Holy Ghost Prep players presented their counterparts at La Salle a memorial puck in honor of La Salle student-athlete Blake Barklage.

Holy Ghost Prep 2 0 1—3

La Salle 0 1 0—1

First-period goals: Landon Stout (HGP) from Shaun Moore, :41; Sean Marshall (HGP) from Brady Baehser, 5:32 (pp)

Second-period goal: Matthew Conforti (L) from Patrick Brace, :12

Third—period goal: Marshall (HGP) from Baehser, 16:45 (en)

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 25, La Salle 35; Saves: Jason Soule (HGP) 34, Will Braun (L) 22

La Salle and Holy Ghost Prep begin Wednesday’s third period

Malvern Prep 3, Holy Ghost Prep 2 SO

By Rick Woelfel

BRISTOL—For the second time in five days, Malvern Prep and Holy Ghost Prep needed a shootout to determine a winner. For the second time the Friars emerged victorious, and by the same score, 3-2 in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game at Grundy Arena that matched the intensity and competitiveness of its predecessor.

A goal from Pierre Larocque 8:21 into the first period off a feed from Chris Blango and another from Matt Harris at the 13:52 mark off a turnover enabled Malvern Prep (7-0, 2-0-2-0 in the APAC) to take a 2-0 advantage.

The score remained unchanged through the second period but it was not for lack of effort on the Firebirds’ part. They held a 30-18 edge in shots to that point but were unable to solve Anthony Perti in the Friars’ net.

In the third period, Holy Ghost Prep (4-2 overall, 3-0-0-2 in conference) came out storming. Evan Mudrick beat Perti off a feed from Brady Baehser just 23 seconds into the period. The Firebirds successfully killed off a pair of minor penalties before stepping up the pressure down the stretch. Anthony Sparo tied the game with 1:13 left in regulation off a feed from Shaun Moore to force overtime. 

Neither team seriously threatened in the extra five-minute session before Blango and Harris found the net in the shootout.

“Overtime is always fun,” Blango said, “but we’ve got to clean up stuff on our end, and especially in the third period in our D-zone. We can’t have days like this, where they score two third-period goals back to back. It’s fun, but we’ve got to take care of our stuff.”

Blango felt he and his teammates became, in his words “Too comfortable,” at some point. “We definitely got sloppy,” he said. “You could probably see it. Our passes weren’t made the same, we were not communicating as much. You’ve got to clean that up, headed into playoffs and the Flyers Cup.”

During the break between the second and third periods, Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan urged his troops to maintain their focus. “Our message in between periods, the second and third was to tell our guys ‘The next goal’s important,’” he said. “Holy Ghost came out strong and ended up tying it, but it was good to see our guys fight back and get a win in the shootout.”

Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside was philosophical about the loss. “It was a great game,” he said. “I don’t like the result, but I liked our response in the third period and we did what we had to do to win the hockey game. it’s tough to lose hockey games like that, but we did what we had to do.”

• The Firebirds outshot the Friars 50-34… Monday’s game was a makeup of a postponement. The Friars will face La Salle on Wednesday to start a stretch that will see them play three conference games in eight days. Holy Ghost Prep will take on St. Joseph’s Prep on Friday to begin a run of four conference games in 11 days.

Malvern Prep 2 0 0 0 (2)—3

Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 2 0 (0)—2

First-period goals: Pierre Larocque (MP from Chris Blango,  8:21; Matt Harris (MP) from Jack Constabile, 13:52

Third-period goals: Evan Mudrick (HGP) from Brady Baehser and Shaun Moore, :23: Anthony Sparo (HGP) from Moore and Mudrick, 14:47.

Shots: Malvern Prep 34, Holy Ghost Prep 50: Saves: Anthony Perti (MP) 48. Bobby Baehser (HGP) 32

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Malvern Prep 3, Holy Ghost Prep 2 (shootout)

 WEST GOSHEN—In a normal hockey season, the field for the Flyers Cup tournament would be announced about now. Because of the pandemic, the 2021 regular season still has a month to go. But Wednesday night, Holy Ghost Prep and Malvern Prep demonstrated what a Flyers Cup game should look like.

Jack Constabile scored in the bottom of the fourth round of a shootout to give the Friars a 3-2 win over the Firebirds in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game at Ice Line. The win kept Malvern Prep in six starts this season (3-0 in the APAC). It was the first loss for Holy Ghost Prep in four tries (2-1 in conference).

It was the first of three regular-season meeting between the two teams who have emerged as the top contenders for the APAC championship. On Wednesday night, there was little that separated them.

“I thought Holy Ghost played a tremendous game,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan.”‘I think it’s a testament to our league, and how good the teams are, the strength.”

Malvern Prep’s Jack Constabile (in white) battles with Holy Ghost Prep’s Sean Marshall (photo: Gracie Cleveland)

On a night when the level of play was superb, the brightest star in the heavens was Friar goaltender Anthony Perti. He made 28 saves over the course of 48 minutes of regulation play and five minutes of three-on-three overtime including a half dozen that belong on a highlight reel. The junior sensed the importance of the occasion.

“I kind of knew,” he said. “Big moments, you’ve got to be ready for them if you want to be a big-time player, so I was definitely ready for them. It was a massive game.”

Bobby Baehser in the Firebirds’ net didn’t have to be as spectacular as his counterpart but he was just as efficient; he also finished with 28 saves.

Brady Baehser opened the scoring for Holy Ghost Prep 4:48 into the first period off a turnover deep in the Malvern Prep defensive zone. It took the Friars just 15 seconds to respond; Jeremy Jacobs won a goal-mouth scrum at the 5:03 mark.

The hosts took the lead with 1:05 left in the second stanza when Matt Harris tipped in Steven Getsie’s shot from the left point.

A few minutes prior to that however, Perti made his best save of the game when he denied Anthony Sparo at the end of a two-on-none rush.

The Firebirds stepped up the pressure in the third period, outshooting the Friars 13-5. It was Shaun Moore who scored the tying goal on a backhander from the right side of the net at the 8:11 mark.

Both teams had chances in overtime but only Constabile could find the net in the shootout. It wasn’t for a lack of trying however; the Firebirds found iron three times in four attempts.

“It was a great high-school hockey game,” said Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside. “Two good teams. I though their goalie played really well, made some big stops.

“I thought at times we didn’t have good puck luck either, a couple posts here and there. But that’s hockey.”

Ice Chips—The Firebirds and the Friars will face each other Monday afternoon at Grundy Arena and again on March 11, also at Grundy with additional meetings possible in the APAC playoffs and during the Class AAA Flyers Cup tournament … The Friars unveiled a new set of white sweaters Wednesday which featured a logo commemorating the 50th anniversary of the school’s hockey program. The school fielded its first team in 1970.

Holy Ghost Prep 1 0 1 0 (0)

Malvern Prep 1 1 0 0 (1)

First-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) unassisted 4:48; Brady Doyle (MP) from Chrs Blango, 5:03.

Second-period goal: Matt Harris (MP) from Steve Getsie and Ryan Sambuco, 14:55

Third-period goal: Shaun Moore (HGP) from Landon Stoudt and Sean Marshall, 8:11.

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 30, Malvern Prep 30; Saves: Bobby Baehser 28, Anthony Perti (MP) 28

For more about Holy Ghost Prep Click Here

For more about Malvern Prep Click Here

Holy Ghost Prep-St. Joseph’s Prep Matchup a Nod to Hockey History

Friday’s Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference matchup between Holy Ghost Prep and St. Joseph’s Prep at the Skatium will have considerable significance. It will be the first APAC conference game to be played at the celebrated venue.

When the puck is dropped shortly after 7 p.m., the lengthy history of the rink and the brief but impressive record of the APAC will be officially linked.

Located on Darby Road in Haverford Township, and built at a cost of $1.5 million, the Skatium opened its doors on September 20, 1974. The timing could not have been better. The Flyers had won their first Stanley Cup just four months and a day earlier and enthusiasm for hockey in the Philadelphia area was at an all-time high.

The name of the venue was determined via a contest that was open to all residents of Haverford Township. Twelve-year old Michael Steinberg submitted the winning entry. At first, use of the township-owned facility was restricted to Haverford Township residents, but that stipulation was eventually dropped and the rink soon became arguably an epicenter for the growth of amateur hockey in the Philadelphia area in general and Delaware County in particular. And while newer, larger facilities have been built in the years since, none have replicated the Skatium’s intimacy.

Today it is the home rink for a half dozen Inter County League teams, as well as teams from the Independence League, the St. Joseph’s University club team, and the Haverford Hawks youth program.

Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside has made numerous trips to the Skatium as a player and coach. He enjoys the venue’s atmosphere.

“I remember when it was first opened up and going there for youth games as a player and then later as a coach,” he said. “It was always clean. I liked the stands on that one side. The benches were really tight but then they did some renovations and made the benches a lot bigger and nicer, but it was a really good atmosphere to play in.”

Whiteside recalls the atmosphere in the building as being difficult for visiting teams to deal with. “It was a tough barn to play in,” he said. It’s a great atmosphere. I can remember coaching both (Germantown Academy) and Holy Ghost and having some tough games against O’Hara over the years. It’s been a great atmosphere.”

David Giacomin is in his eighth season as the head coach at St. Joseph’s Prep. When he started his career with the Hawks the team played its home games at the Skatium before moving to the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 rink. The Hawks returned to the Skatium this season.

Giacomin was asked what makes the building unique. “I think it’s the atmosphere,” he said. “In a typical year where you can have fans. 

“it is an old barn. The student body and everything is all on one side. It’s built up over the glasses. You feel like everybody’s right on top of you. The ceiling has got a decent height to it but it feels like everything is on top of you. So, it’s very quaint.”

Giacomin considers the Skatium an ideal setting for high-school hockey. “It’s just a very exciting place to play,” he said. “It’s usually loud and raucous and when two teams meet, they bring their fans there. It’s just a super, great place.

“There’s the visual, the lighting in there, the ice surface is awesome. Teams seem to enjoy playing at that place, but what makes it special is the 800 to a thousand people that can be in there. It’s kind of suited for a high school hockey game.’’

In 2014, Giacomin’s first year at St. Joseph’s Prep, the Hawks were the top seed in the Class AAA Flyers Cup and faced La Salle in the one-game final at the Skatium a game eventually won by the Explorers 5-4 in overtime

Giacomin recalls that building was packed.

“It was one of those games where we didn’t know going into it how many people would show up,” he said. “Delaware County’s got a lot of hockey folks, and it wasn’t just people from St. Joe’s or La Salle there, it was people who liked hockey who wanted to come over and watch a good game. 

“It was just so many people, five deep behind the benches and people wrapped three, four deep around the glasses, in that area and then on the way to the locker room it was almost 11 deep.  Both teams took time to get the locker room in between periods.

“It was just a great atmosphere to be a part of and probably something that those kids will never forget.”

Giacomin is enthusiastic about the Hawks returning to the Skatium this season and bringing the APAC along with them.

“Don’t get me wrong, plying at Penn is a great experience, as well,” he said. “That’s another one of those old buildings. But if you brought in 800 people you wouldn’t know 800 people were there. With the Skatium, and all the people who love high school hockey around the area, if you brought in 800 people, you’re going to know they’re all there because it’s going to be loud. It’s just a great place to play we’re looking forward to it.

“Hopefully, we can continue that for years to come because I think presenting the APAC in that area, geographically would enhance our league.”

Holy Ghost Prep Kicks Off 2021 Season

By Rick Woelfel

When Holy Ghost Prep Firebirds hit the ice Monday night, an easily disenable wave of positive energy swept through the Green Rink at Hatfield Ice.

After weeks of waiting, and wondering if they would have a season at all, the Firebirds were back to playing the game they loved.

“We’ve been through a lot as a country,” said Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside. “It’s just nice to be back on the ice with these kids, and in the locker rooms, and seeing their smiles and practicing, and now to be able to play in a game, it’s just nice.

“This where they need to be, and it’s a nice way to kick off the season.”

Whiteside noted that playing their first game of the season gave his players a sense of normalcy. “This is where they thrive,” he said. “You can hear the laughter, the chatter, the camaraderie they have. It’s a special team and I’m just fortunate to be a part of it.”

Perhaps no one enjoyed the evening more than Firebird defenseman Jake Marek. The senior was making his return to the ice after missing his entire junior season because of a torn ACL that he sustained just prior to the first game of last season.

“I haven’t played with these guys in a while,” Marek said. “And some of the underclassmen I’ve never played with ever. So, going out, I was a little skeptical on how we were going to be as a team. But, it’s family. This team jells. And it was very, very nice to play with.”

Despite his injury, Marek remained with the team last season and at times could set his concerns about his injury and his hockey future aside.

“I was still with the team,” he said. “And, to be out there with the guys, I didn’t feel it.”

Not so long ago, Marek was thinking he might have played his last game with the Firebirds, but not because of his injury. “I knew I was going to come back from the injury no matter what,” he said.  “But with the pandemic, I was very, very scared. I’m very, very thankful to be in this spot today.”

Marek’s greatest concern is that his senior season of high-school hockey will be further interrupted. “I want a season,” he said. “I don’t just want a couple games, I want a season, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.”

Brady Baehser and E.J. Pohl scored twice for the Firebirds. Bobby Baehser got the win in goal. Mason Moyer was in goal for the Titans, his first action of the season.

The Firebirds and La Salle will open the APAC season Friday night at Hatfield Ice with a scheduled 6:50 start.

Holy Ghost Prep 4 2 2—8

C.B. South 0 0 0—0

First-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) from Brian Butler. 5:42; E.J. Pohl (HGP) from Jason Soule and Evan Mudrick, 8:17 (pp); Sean Marshall (HGP) and Sean Moore, 12:57 (sh); Baehser (HGP) unassisted, 14:47.

Second-period goals: Anthony Sparo (HGP) from Mudrick, 10:25; Pohl (HGP) from Moore and Mudrick, 15:58.

Third-period goals: Landon Stoudt (HGP) from Carlos Rodriguez, Jr., 5:32; Patrick McAneny (HGP) from James Littley, 8:30.