APAC Update 3-27

Final Regular Season Standings. W L OW OL Pts

Malvern Prep (11-1) 5 1 3 0 21

La Salle (7-4) 6 3 0 0 18

Holy Ghost Prep (5-6) 3 3 0 3 12

St. Joseph’s Prep (3-8) 1 8 0 0 3

Playoff Schedule

Monday 3-29 St. Joseph’s Prep vs. La Salle 7:30 at Grundy

Wednesday 3-31 Monday’s winner vs. Malvern Prep 8:00 at Ice Line

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C.B. South 2, Pennridge 0

BRISTOL— A cohesive defensive effort plus a solid performance in goal formed a winning combination for Central Bucks South Wednesday night. The result was a 2-0 win over Pennridge in a Suburban High School Hockey League National/Continental matchup that brought the SHSHL’s playoff puzzle a step closer to being solved.

Dan Kvecher scored both goals for the Titans (6-4-1 overall, 5-2 in divisional play) who still have hopes of claiming the second seed in the upcoming SHSHL playoffs via a win over Neshaminy Friday night.

Pennridge, which was playing its first league since March 1 due to Covid issues, dropped to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in divisional play.

The Titans were outshot 40-26 but did all they could to support goaltender Mason Moyer, and many of the Rams’ shots came from outside the faceoff dots.

“Obviously, it’s not the amount of shots you want to give up,” said senior defenseman Owen Mendham, “but we have Moyer back there to help us out. We did a good job of tying people up and chipping pucks out into the corners and not giving up high-scoring chances.”

South coach Shaun McGinty praised Moyer’s effort between the pipes. “Giving up 40 shots, I would have hoped we would have had better defense,” he said, “but obviously, the back end of that defense is Moyer. I’ve been saying this game in and game out, he’s the cornerstone of the team. He did his job tonight.”

The Titans got on the scoreboard when Kvecher beat Ryan Pico from close range off a feed from Aidan Gaffney at the 12:55 mark of the opening period. At the other end of the ice, the Rams fired 11 shots at Moyer but came up empty, a pattern that repeated itself all night.

Moyer made his best save of the game on Richie Shanks with 10:15 left in the game during a Pennridge power play.

Kvecher added an empty-net goal with 21 second left in regulation.

“It was a very frustrating evening,” said Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna. “I thought that in the third period, we generated a lot more chances.

“I thought in the first period we made it really on (Moyer). A lot of eye-level stuff that he could see.”

Despite the loss, Montagna took away some positives from the evening. “I thought that was our best game in a long time,” he said. “we played a great defensive game, we had a ton of offensive-zone time. We’ve got to find a way to break though on that and I thought we were a little soft in the offensive end getting around the net.”

C.B. South 1 0 1—2

Pennridge 0 0 0—0

First-period goal: Dan Kvecher (CBS) from Aidan Gaffney, 12:05

Third-period goal: Kvecher (CBS) unassisted, 15:39 (en)

Shots: C.B.South 26, Pennridge 40; Saves: Mason Moyer (CBS) 40, Ryan Pico (PR) 24

Van Stefanou Back Home at St. Joseph’s Prep

A decade and more ago, Van Stefanou skated for St. Joseph’s Prep. For five seasons now, he’s been one of the Hawks’ assistant coaches. In a sense, he has returned home.

Even as a young boy, Stefanou, a Tabernacle, N.J. native, was virtually certain he would attend St. Joseph’s Prep. It was a family tradition.

“All the men on my mom’s side of the family went to the Prep” he said, “and my great uncle was president of the Prep for 21 years. So, pending the passing of my entrance exam, I was going to the Prep. Other than that, the thought of being part of such a prestigious school with a great history was so appealing to me that going to the Prep was my only option.”

When he arrived on the school’s campus in the fall of 2006, Stefanou found himself being challenged academically and athletically.

“The classes at the Prep were definitely challenging,” he said, “and students were held to a high standard but that was expected at the Prep. I remember a lot of long nights. I would come home from Prep and club hockey practices around 9 or 10 o’clock most nights and have to start homework then.

“I also had some really amazing teachers while at the Prep. To name a few, Mr. Hart, Mrs. (Kathleen) Sullivan, and Mr. (Andrew) Whelan were the teachers that left a longing impression after the Prep and instilled some of the qualities in me that I hold today.”

Today, Stefanou is appreciative of the support he received from the faculty during his high-school years, and the support he and his fellow students provided each other.

“While the Prep and extracurriculars were a challenge every day, my classmates and teammates were always there for each other,” he said. “I don’t keep in touch with them as much as I’d like to but we usually see each other at our alumni game every November and it’s great to catch up with them and hang out.”

During Stefanou’s years at the school, the St. Joseph’s Prep hockey program was still evolving into what it later became.

“It still felt like the program was in its early stages with a lot of potential for the future,” he said. “There were several coaches that put a lot into the program. You don’t really appreciate all that they do until you’re one of them.

“The program has definitely grown since I played. Winning a state championship like we did (in 2018) was almost unthinkable for us and now it feels like it’s attainable every year.

“That just goes to show how much the program has progressed in the last eleven years. I was proud to be part of the Prep hockey team then and am very lucky to coach now. I was part of a great group throughout the four years and I couldn’t have asked for a better class.”

After high school Stefanou played two years of junior hockey, a year in British Columbia and Washington in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and then a year in North Carolina in the EJHL South.

From there, he played four years at UMass Dartmouth; as a freshman he played for a team that won a conference championship and qualified for the NCAA Division III tournament.

Today, Stefanou is proud to be coaching at the school that shaped his life.

“My four years at the Prep built the foundation of my character today,” he said. I took many values from my time at the Prep including humility, integrity and perseverance. It’s what brought me back to coach five years ago. When I was given the opportunity to give back to the Prep, there was no question in my mind that I would do it.”

For more about St. Joseph’s Prep Click Here

SHSHL Announces Playoff Schedule

The Suburban High School Hockey League has announced its postseason schedule, a schedule that has been impacted by the pandemic.

Because of Covid issues, several teams in playoff contention, will not be able to complete their regular-season schedules by the end of this week; for a variety of reasons related to ice availability and the upcoming Flyers Cup tournament, the regular season cannot be extended beyond that point.

As a result, the SHSHL will determine playoff qualifiers and seedings based on winning percentage. Any scheduled games that are not played by week’s end will be considered ‘no game.’

The six playoff qualifiers in Class AA (the combined National and Continental Divisions) have been determined, although not all the seeds have been finalized.

Pennsbury is assured of being the number-one seed. Council Rock South, Central Bucks South, Neshaminy, and Pennridge will fill positions two through five although the order will not be finalized until Friday night. North Penn will be seeded sixth.

The Class AA playoffs will begin Monday night, March 29 with the third seed facing North Penn and the fourth and fifth seeds facing each other. The sites and times of those games are still to be determined.

The Class AA semifinals are set for Wednesday, March 31 and the two semifinal winners will play for the championship on Thursday, April 1 at Grundy Arena.

The four playoff qualifiers in the American Division are also set. Top-seeded Wissahickon will face fourth-seeded Hatboro-Horsham in a semifinal game next Wednesday, March 31 at Hatfield Ice. That same evening, Abington will face Plymouth Whitemarsh in the other semifinal (site and time TBD). Those two teams will be seeded second and third, although which is seeded where is still to be determined.

The American Division championship game is scheduled for Thursday, April 1 at a site and time to be determined.

The results of the playoffs will have no bearing on the seedings for the upcoming Flyers Cup tournament. Those seedings will be announced this coming Sunday, March 28. The Flyers Cup tournament is scheduled to begin on April 5.

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Flyers Cup Rankings Updated

There was relatively little movement in the Flyers Cup Committee’s second set of power rankings which were released Monday.

In Class AAA the top five remained unchanged. In Class AA Council Rock South moved into fifth place, displacing Pennridge. In Class A, Wissahickon, which was ranked fifth last week, and Springfield-Delco, which had been ranked fourth, exchanged placed. in the girls’ rankings, Downingtown West moved into the top spot ahead of Bux-Mont as the two teas reversed positions from last week while Avon Grove, now ranked fourth, and West Chester Bayard Rustin, now fifth, also exchanged places.

The committee will not release another set of rankings before the full tournament field is released on March 28.

Class AAA

1. Malvern Prep

2. Holy Ghost Prep

3. La Salle

4. St. Joseph’s Prep

5. Roman Catholic

Class AA

1. Downingtown West

2. Pennsbury

3. Haverford High

4. Spring-Ford

5. Council Rock South

Class A

1. West Chester East

2. Strath Haven

3. West Chester Henderson

4. Wissahockon

5. Springfield-Delco

Girls

1. Downingtown West

2. Bux-Mont

3. West Chester Henderson

4. Avon Grove

The scholastic hockey season will conclude in April with the Flyers Cup tournament. We’d love to help you promote your product, service, or event during the tournament. Contact us at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com for more information.

Flyers Cup Rankings. 3-8-21

The Flyers Cup Committee has released its first set of rankings relating to the 2021 Flyers Cup tournament. The committee ranked five teams in each of four classes. The ratings are based on game results through March 5 and observations by the committee.
The Flyers Cup tournament is scheduled to begin on April 5. No final determination has been made regarding the number of teams in the field or in each bracket.
The Flyers Cup is an invitational event and there are no automatic bids.

Class AAA
1. Malvern Prep
2. Holy Ghost Prep
3. La Salle
4. St. Joseph’s Prep
5. Roman Catholic

Class AA
1. Downingtown West
2. Pennsbury
3. Haverford
4. Spring-Ford
5. Pennridge

Class A
1. West Chester East
2. Strath Haven
3. West Chester Henderson
4. Springfield-Delco
5. Wissahickon

Girls
1. Bux Mont
2. Downingtown West
3. West Chester Henderson
4. Bayard Rustin
5. Avon Grove

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St. Joseph’s Prep 5, Holy Ghost Prep 3

BRISTOL—A new and improved version of St. Joseph’s Prep showed up at Grundy Arena on Friday night. The Hawks built a 3-0 lead and went on to a 5-3 win over Holy Ghost Prep in front a boisterous audience.

Jack Yerger scored what proved to be the winning goal with 5:21 remaining in regulation to give the Hawks their first win in four Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference starts (3-3 overall).

The goal came just four seconds after the Firebirds’ Brady Baehser was sent to the box for tripping; Yerger scored off the ensuing faceoff.

“We’ve been sticking to the script, trying to do the same thing every game,” he said. “We were getting balance tonight. Some of the calls didn’t go our way but we persevered and we found a way to get it done.”

Yerger a senior, noted that the Hawks were moving the puck well and getting contributions from all three lines. “We’re always moving in the neutral zone,” he said, “and breaking out of the zone. We’re trying to get free and trying to get available for our defensemen. It was all working our way tonight. We were getting open, getting passes, and taking advantage of our opportunities too, which is the biggest part.”

The Hawks were outshot 36-26 but Rocco Bruno was in top form in goal. Yerger said that type of effort in goal energizes he and his teammates.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said, “and we almost feel that every time we play with both of our goalies. (Bruno and Andrew Custer). They’re both rocks for us.”

Quinn Egan and Christian Short scored goals 49 seconds apart to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead 6:03 into the first period. The goals came on similar plays that originated from the Hawks’ deep right-wing corner. Joseph Samango extended his team’s lead just 16 seconds into the second frame.
Carolos Rodriguez got the Firebirds (4-3, 3-1-0-2 in conference) at the 8:39 mark of the period. E.J. Pohl made it a one-goal game when he scored during a power play at 12:34. It was one of six power plays the Firebirds enjoyed over the course of the evening. Baehser drew the Firebirds even just 45 seconds into the final session.

After Yerger’s game winner, an empty-net goal with 51 seconds remaining assured the Hawks of their first conference win.

“We were chasing the game,” said Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside. “I liked our response; we came back and were able to tie it up. We had every opportunity to win the game.”

St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin senses his team is rounding into form. “I told you If we had our three lines we were going to be a good team down the road,” he said. “And this is just one step, we’ve been playing pretty good hockey.”

St. Joseph’s Prep 2 1 2—5

Holy Ghost Prep 0 2 1—3

First-period goals: Quinn Egan (SJP) from Connor Burman and Michael Ahearn, 5:14; Christian Short (SJP) from Nicholas Storti

Second-period goals: Joseph Samango (SJP) from Liam Mooney and Short, :18; Carlos Rodriguez (HGP) from Luke Panepresso, 8:39; E,J. Pohl (HGP) from Panepreesso and Evan Mudrick, 12:34 (pp)

Third-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) from Mudrick, :45; Jack Yerger (SJP) from Charlie Maratee, 10:39 (sh); Samango (SJP) unassisted, 15:09 (en)

Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 26. Holy Ghost Prep 36; Saves; Rocco Bruno (SJP) 33. Bobby Baesher (HGP) 31.

Plymouth Whitemarsh 9, Truman 0

HATFIELD— Every goaltender, at every level of hockey, starts a game hoping for a shutout. Kolton Galie archived that ambition Thursday night. The Plymouth Whitemarsh junior stopped 15 shots as the Colonials downed Truman 9-0 in a Suburban High School Hockey League American Division matchup at Ice Line.
It was the first shutout of Galie’s high-school career.

“It’s really nice,” he said. “They had a few nice shots on us and it felt really nice to be able to come out there and save them and our defense really put in the effort to keep the puck out of the front of our net.”

One observer who was particularly impressed with Galie’s performance was Truman coach Bill Keyser, who took it all in from his post behind the bench.

“(Plymouth Whitemarsh) played for their goalie tonight,” he said. “They played in front of him, the blocked shots for him, and they maintained the puck. They played really well today,”

Despite Tigers’ low shot total, Galie worked hard. At least half a dozen saves required maximum effort, notably on odd-man rushes. His best save of the night came when he denied James Gallagher on a breakaway 75 seconds into the third period to keep Truman (3-6 overall and in the division) off the scoreboard.

The Colonials (6-4, 5-4 in divisional play) dominated play from the start and recorded 36 shots themselves. Like many a goaltender elsewhere, Galie likes to stay busy.

“Of course, the less shots the better,” he said. “But then, when they do get a breakaway, I’m not warmed up enough to be able to it as quickly as I would with 30 or so shots.

The Colonials scored three goals in each period. Matthew Flynn finished with a hat trick and added an assist. Luke Weikel contributed two goals and four assists. Thomas Corcoran, Jack MIshkin, Aidan Keough, and John Cubbin scored one goal each.

“I think every line contributed,” said Colonial coach Josh Aiello. “Our offense played well, our defensemen made sure they covered, and adjusted to the two-on-ones and three-on-twos.

“And our goalie really played outstanding. It was Kolton Galie’s first career shutout at the high-school level. I’m just so proud of how. He’s really just getting stronger and stronger as the season goes on.”

Keyser was pleased with his own team’s effort. “My kids didn’t back down at all,” he said. “They worked hard. We had a couple injuries on the bench and running with a light bench, sometimes that can hurt you a little bit.”

Truman 0 0 0—0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 3 3 3—9
First-period goals: Luke Weikerl (PW) from Matthew Flynn, 3:48; Flynn (PW) from Weikel, 12:41; Thomas Corcoran (PW) from Zach Spera, 14:10
Second-period goals: Aidan Keogh (PW) from Weikel, :37 (pp); Jack MIshkin (PW) from Weikel, 5:49; Flynn (Pw) from Weikel and MIshkin, 11:56 (pp)
Third-period goals: Flynn (PW) unassisted, 2:08; John Cubbin (PW) from Weikel and Keogh, 5:53 (pp); Weikel (Pw) from Corcoran, 15:22
Shots; Truman 15, Plymouth Whitemarsh 36; Saves: Connor PIlla (T) 27, Kolton Galie (PW) 15

Evan Mudrick Has Family Ties to Holy Ghost Prep

When he enrolled at Holy Ghost Prep three years ago, Evan Mudrick knew he would be comfortable. The Fairless Hills resident already had a family connection with the school.

“My brother went to Pennsbury his freshman and sophomore years and transferred to Ghost,” he recalls. “I went and watched his (hockey) games and I just fell in love with the brotherhood and the camaraderie of the team. There was nothing like it, seeing my brother just hang out with his buddies; they’re still some of his best friends now. There was just nothing like it. Nothing can compare to what I felt when I was watching his games; it was just incredible.”

Mudrick attended public school through eighth grade but was at ease at Holy Ghost Prep from the start. “It’s probably the easiest transition you could ask for,” he said. “It’s very welcoming here; smaller classes, you know everyone. If a kid walks by, you know his name it’s not like you’re in a school with (a large student population) and you barely know anyone. “Here you just feel happy and excited to come to school every day and you know people are going to be there that you like and that you can get along with and talk to without a doubt. It was one of the easiest transitions I’ve ever had.”

The curriculum at Holy Ghost Prep is designed to teach students how to make independent decisions. “I think it’s really, really good for development for a young man, a high-school student,” Mudrick said, “because you’re going to have to make decisions by yourself in life. But it’s not like they just send you out there in the dark. There’s always someone here to help you if you have a question, or need something. They’re always happy to help you.”

Mudrick says he and his fellow students are encouraged to ask for help when they need it. “The people here are always welcoming,” he said, “telling you, ‘If you ever need anything, come talk to me.’ Every teacher I’ve had at school always said ‘If you need anything, come talk to me. Every teacher here is always there for you, no matter what.”

Now a senior, Mudrick is following in his brother’s footsteps, on the ice and off. He’s one of the Firebirds’ captains and is committed to providing the leadership that others did for him in years past.

“It’s a big role that the seniors play,” he said. “The seniors play a big role when the freshmen come in. The sophomores are still the younger guys. It’s just great to have them there to guide the way for you. And that’s my responsibility now, that’s what I’m trying to do for some of the younger guys now.”

This hockey season has been unlike any other at Holy Ghost Prep. The compressed schedule has forced the players to put things together in a hurry. And certain rituals were put aside, specifically the Firebirds’ annual trip to Jamestown New York for the National Invitational Scholastic Showcase. Mudrick says he and his teammates are making the best of the situation.

“It was sad that we couldn’t go to Jamestown,” he said. “It’s annoying but you know, we’re still playing. I’m trying to bring the guys together and jell as quick as we can. “I’m going for a state championship this year. I’m not taking anything less than that. I’m just having my guys work hard every day and give it their best. That’s all we can do.”

For more information about Holy Ghost Prep Click Here

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.

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