Plymouth Whitemarsh 4, Hatboro-Horsham 3

WARWICK— It has been said by some observers that a hockey goaltender plays the most demanding position in any team sport. Playing the position well, in fact, at all, requires a unique mindset.

Friday’s Suburban High School Hockey League matchup between Hatboro-Horsham and Plymouth Whitemarsh offered a strong thesis to support that argument.

Aidan Keogh gave the Colonials a 4-3 win with 1:09 left in overtime when he stole the puck at the Hatter blue line and went in alone to score the winning goal.

It was the Colonials’ second win over the Hatters in eight days; thy were victorious 13-3 last Friday.

The storyline at Revolution Ice Gardens revolved around the two goaltenders, the Colonials’ Ben Yuter and Hatboro-Horsham’s Joe Gambino. Between them they faced 65 shots and made 58 saves. Gambino stopped 35 shots, Yuter 23. Both made some truly remarkable saves.

Plymouth Whitemarsh assistant coach Chris Zawislak was in charge behind the bench, filling in for the absent Josh Aiello.

“I thought both goaltenders played a great game today,” he said. “I saw their goaltender make at least three or four saves that kept them in the game as we made one of our big pushes in the second period, and especially in the third period … our goaltender came up huge.”

Each team scored a goal in each regulation period. The Hatters (6-2, 1-2 in the American Division) took a 3-2 lead 1:37 into the third frame when Alex Howieson beat Yuter from just inside the right faceoff circle. But with 2:23 left in regulation, the Colonials (6-1, 3-0) answered. Keogh took the puck behind the Hatboro-Horsham net and found Dean Keller in front who in turn deposited the puck behind Gambino to draw his team even.

Yuter had to come up big once more when his teammate Colin Franzoni drew a high sticking penalty with 1:17 left in regulation. The abbreviated power play was constricted further when the Hatters’ Nick Long was sent to the box himself with 11 seconds of regulation time remaining. As a result of all this, the Colonials spent some early portions of the overtime with four skaters to three advantage. Franzoni came close to ending the game he hit a post some 100 seconds into the five-minute session.

Both teams went three on three with 2:11 remaining before Keogh’s solo effort brought down the curtain on an entertaining evening of hockey.

Yuter enjoyed being tested by a quality opponent in the Hatters and facing a quality opposing goaltender in Gambino. “I’m always on my A game,” he said, “It’s just a reason to want it even more. We all just feed off of each other’s energy. When we’re able to score off a goaltender like that, it really just pumps us up. He’s an amazing goaltender, he had some really quality saves out there.”

Hatboro-Horsham coach Gianni Lafratta summed up the evening. “Both goalies stood on their heads,” he said. “At times they had support of all five teammates, at times they had to call their own shots.

“ It’s definitely not a game you want to lose, but definitely a tight battle and a better response to last week’s loss

Plymouth Whitemarsh 1 1 1 1—4

Hatboro-Horsham 1 1 1 0—3

First-period goals: Seth Lerner (HH) from Marcus Soucy, 4:23; Aidan Keogh (PW) from Jake Weikel, 13:46.

Second-period goals: Aidan Esack (HH) from Tarek Elsabbagh and Ziyad Elsabbagh, 6:49; Dean Keller (PW) from Logan Westerfer and Ben Lubas, 9:36.

Third-period goals: Alex Howieson (HH from Esack and Ziyad Elsabbagh, 1:34; Keller (PW) from Keogh, 13:37.

Overtime goal: Keogh (PW) unassisted, 3:51.

Shots: Plymouth Whitemarsh 39, Hatboro-Horsham 26; Saves: Joe Gambino (HH) 35, Ben Yuter (PW) 23.

Other scores: Pennsbury 9, Council Rock North 1

St. Joseph’s Prep 4, Father Judge 2

Central Bucks South 7, Neshaminy 3

HATFIELD— For roughly a decade now, Central Bucks South has set the standard against which the rest of the Suburban High School Hockey League is measured. On Thursday night, the Titans showed they still hold that distinction although it took them some time to do so.

Matt Buchinski, Nolan Geria, and Joey DeMatteo propelled Neshaminy to a 3-0 first-period lead. But the Titans woke up and scored five consecutive goals in the second period before adding two more in the third.

The 7-3 victory that resulted put South alone at the top of the SHSHL Class AA standings at 4-0 (6-0-0-1 overall). It was a win that didn’t come easily after the slow start but what transpired at Hatfield Ice Thursday night will serve as a primer for March, when both the Titans and the ‘Skins (6-2, 5-1) figure to be legitimate Flyers Cup contenders.

If there was a single moment that triggered the comeback, it might have been at the 7:02 mark of the first period following Geria’s goal when South coach Shaun McGinity called the only timeout he was permitted and delivered what would best be termed an inspirational address.

“I don’s think they deliberately came unprepared,” McGinity said of his troops. “I don’t think they overlooked Neshaminy. I don’t think they overlooked anybody or through anybody. Neshaminy has got firepower. (The Titans) just didn’t come ready to play.”

It took a while for McGinty’s message to sink in; DeMatteo put his team up 3-0 with 3:58 to play in the period.

But in the second frame, the Titans got rolling. Colin Abbonizio scored just 37 seconds into the period. Matt Milanesi made it a 3-2 game at the 3:18 mark off a feed from Dominic Patrone to complete a lovely session of tic-tac-toe. Goals from Abbonizio and Patrone followed before Abbonizio completed a hat trick at the 13:25 mark to give South a 5-3 lead.

All five goals came at even strength.
Patrone scored on a shorthanded effort 1:47 into the third period before Ryan Gingras scored a power-play goal with 8:33 left in the game.

“A lot of the (comeback effort) was from the coaches,” Abbonizio said. “They really kept us in it. We just went out there and played our game and we got seven goals.”

The Titans are young in spots this season but Abbonizio, the team’s captain, says the newcomers are taking their cues from the veterans. “The younger guys are always listening,” he said. “They’re willing to take whatever they can get from the older guys. I think their cooperation could contribute to us really going a long way.”

Neshaminy coach Matt DeMatteo noted his team couldn’t sustain its early momentum. “We had them on the ropes,” he said. “We were up 3-0 in the first period and the guys were playing the game plan. They switched some things up and we just adapt as well as I’d hoped.”

Despite the loss, the ‘Skins proved they belong on the list of the SHSHL’s upper-echelon teams. “Neshaminy’s a great team,” Abbonizio said. “They’re a great team and that’s something that we’ve told these guys. That was a playoff game right there.”

Neshaminy 3 0 0—3
C.B. South 0 5 2—7
First-period goals: Matt Buchinski (N) from Joey DeMatteo, 2:43; Nolan Geria’s (N) unassisted, 7:02; DeMatteo (N) unassisted, 12:02.
Second-period goals: Colin Abbonizio (CBS) from Brian Keilman and Matt Milanesi, :37; Milanesi (CBS) from Dominic Patrone, 3:18; Abbonizio (CBS) from David Kutcher, 4:53; Patrone (CBS) from Milanesi, 10:06; Abbonizio (CBS) from Stephen McMillan, 13:25.
Third-period goals: Patrone (CS) from Keilman, 1:47 (sh); Ryan Gingras (CBS) from Patrone, 7:27 (pp).
Shots: Neshaminy 22, C.B. South 30; Saves: Brian Nelson (N) 23, Evan Moyer (CBS) 19

Thanksgiving Eve Hockey Scores

Pennsbury 4, Neshaminy 3

Upper Dublin 12, Truman 2

William Tennent 14, Archbishop Wood 4

Hatboro-Horsham 6, Moreland/NHS 4

Central Bucks East 5, Central Bucks West 4 OT

Council Rock South 11, Council Rock North 1

Central Bucks South 5, North Penn 1

Pennridge 6, Souderton 1

Malvern Prep 3 vs. Cardinal O’Hara 1

Holy Ghost Prep 4, Father Judge 2

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One Step at a Time

Chris Gallagher has some definite ideas about what he wants the hockey program at Council Rock North to be.

By Rick Woelfel

Council Rock North took another step forward Thursday night. The Indians fell to Central Bucks West 11-0 at Hatfield Ice in a Suburban High School Hockey League matchup that was called after the second period but there were an abundance of signs the program is moving in the right direction.

North had just 12 skaters and a goaltender in uniform. Eight of the skaters were freshmen and no one on the blueline corps had any experience there prior to the start of this season, but the Indians played hard and maintained their composure against an unbeaten West team (4-0) that was more mature physically and processed superior skating ability.

“I was happy with the way the boys played,” said North coach Chris Gallagher, “and I thought they put a lot of effort in tonight. They’re learning on the fly and everyone appreciates the effort.”

Gallagher has put in a lot of effort himself over two seasons plus, resurrecting a program that dropped off the radar because of declining numbers. He and assistant coach Mike Epstein understand that building a quality program doesn’t happen overnight. But Gallagher has a plan in place.

“One was to have a middle-school program (originally run by Epstein),” he said. “Two was to have good kids play. Kids you could be proud of and get the numbers up, and I think we see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Senior Colin Kiefer is North’s captain. He will not be around to see his leadership efforts come to complete fruition. But what the North program will become over the next few seasons will be determined in part by the example Kiefer is setting now.

“My sophomore year we had nine seniors,” he said,” and we were just phenomenal. We played really well that season and obviously lost year we lost them all. We’ve got a new of new freshmen. It’s definitely going to be an experience teaching them how to play high-school hockey and what it’s like. It’s definitely a lot different than club hockey.”

Kiefer points out wearing a jersey with a school’s name on it brings with it a certain responsibility. That’s a point he tries to get across to his younger teammates.“They need to understand that this is a serious thing and represent the school,” he said.

Another element in building a program is building a relationship between the hockey club and the school’s administration. Gallagher says the process starts in the classroom.

“That’s probably my number-one priority this year,” he said, “Making sure these kids are student-athletes. They’re excelling the in the classroom, they’re doing the best they can on the ice, but they’re becoming good people and people that we can be proud of that are going to graduate from this program.

“They’re complying with the same requirements that every student-athlete has at North and if there are any incidents at school or on the ice, there’s going to be consequences and if any grades aren’t up to our requirements there’s going to be consequences as well.”

Like hockey programs at other public schools in the area and many probate ones, the Indians are a club team and not a varsity sport. But like many of his peers who oversee programs at other schools, Gallagher wants a good relationship with the school whose name his players carry on their jerseys.

“We’re not owed anything from Council Rock North,” he said. “We have a great group of kids here and we’re looking to set an example that we’re doing things the right way.”

The Game—Jake Lang had a big night for the Bucks with four goals and three assists. Seven other players score one goal each. West is 4-0 overall and 2-0 in league play. The Indians dropped to 1-3 and 0-2.

Council Rock North 0 0 x—0
C.B. West 4 7 x—11
First-period goals: Billy Loughnane (CBW) from Reese Dalzell, 1:31; Chris Trefz (CBW) from Evan Hee and Grant Funseth, 3:34; Nikita Ushakov (CBW) from Jake Lang and Sammy Poliak, 8:58; Hee (CBW) from Lang and Keith Orlando, 15:49.
Second-period goals: Lang (CBW) from Funseth, 1:51; Jack Boland (CBW) from Poliak and Hee, 2:18; Lang (CBW) from Ushakov and Orlando, 10:11; Orlando (CBW) from Lang and Trefz, 10:40; Lang (CBW) from Trefz and Orlando, 12:09 (pp); Lang (CBW) from Loughnane and Poliak, 13:29; Ben Morris (CBW) from Funseth 15:39.
Shots: Council Rock North 11, C.B. West 35; Saves: Rex Goldberg (CRN), Jake Coddingfton (CBW) 11.

Central Bucks West 10, Abington 2

HATFIELD—Central Bucks West got of to a slow start Friday night. But once the Bucks got rolling, they kaput on going, all the way to a 10-2 win over Abington in the Suburban High School Hockey League Class AA league opener for both schools.

Griffin Carpenter gave the Galloping Ghosts (1-3, 0-1) the lead with a goal just 32 seconds after the opening faceoff. It took West (3-0, 1-0) some time to respond but Cooper Guerin’s goal at the 10:09 mark triggered a sequence that saw the Bucks score four goals in a span of just 4:29 to take a 4-1 lead and they went on from there.

West’s number-one line put up some big numbers. Jake Lang on left wing had a had trick and added three assists. Chris Trefz, the Bucks’ captain, had an eight-point night with two goals and six assists while Keith Orlando on right wing contributed two goals and two assists.

Lang said it was important for his team to respond after falling behind before a lot of fans at Hatfield Ice had settled in their seats. “That was super important,” he said. “If we didn’t get that next goal I think it would have went downhill from there for sure.”

West coach Dave Baun says his top line benefits from having played a lot of shifts together. “They work the puck really well,” he said. “I think it’s pretty clear that we’ve got a lot of work to do. We’re scoring some goals, but a lot of it is on individual stuff and it’s not the kind of team play that we look for. But they did move the puck well in the cycle and they were breaking of their passes. It looked like we were starting to get it.”

For the most of the way, the game wasn’t as one sided as the final score made it appear. Orlando and Abington’s Tom Rourke traded second-period goals and West led 5-2 before adding two goals later in the period. The Bucks padded their lead with three goals in the final 2:32 of the third frame but that did not diminish the work of Abington netminder Ben Panella; the sophomore finished with 43 saves.

Abington coach Ken Brzozowski praise the work of his young goaltender. “He did a great job,” he said. “Actually this night and the game we had last week the did really good. We had a nice victory last week and huge played well tonight.”

The Galloping Ghosts are one of the youngest teams in the SHSHL, there are 15 underclassmen on the roster. Brzozowski is taking things one shift at a time.

“We’re just looking to take little steps every game,” he said. “Composure on the puck, seeing the ice. Taking what we’re doing in practice and executing that in the game. If we can continue to do that, then I think we’re going to be in a good spot by the end of the year.”
Abington 1 10—2
C.B. West 4 3 3—10
First-period goals: Griffin Carpenter (A) from Tom Rourke, :32; Cooper Guerin (CBW) from Reese Dalzell, 10:09; Chris Trefz (CBW) from Keith Orlando and Jake Lang, 10:57; Orlando (CBW) from Sammy Poliak and Trefz, 12:24; Lang (CBW) from Trefz and Orlando, 14:38 (pp)
Second-period goals: Orlando (CBW) from Lang and Trefz, 3:30; Rourke (A) from Joe Stelacio and Carpenter, 6:04; Guerin (CBW) unassisted, 9:27; Lang (CBW) from Trefz, 15:09
Third-period goals: Lang (CBW) from Billy Loughnane and Trefz, 13:28; Loughnane (CBW) from Trefz, 14:08; Trefz (CBW) from Lang, 15:41
Shots: Abington 21, C.B. West 53; Saves: Ben Panella (A) 43, Jake Coddington (CBW) 19

By Rick Woelfel

APAC Update 11-14-19

Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference

W L OTW OTL Pts GF GA

St. Joseph’s Prep (2-0) 2 0 0 0 6 10 6

Holy Ghost Prep (2-1) 1 0 0 1 4 8 6

Malvern Prep (1-2) 0 2 1 0 2 11 14

LaSalle (2-1) 0 1 0 0 0 1 4

Game of Wednesday, 11-13

St. Joseph’s Prep 6, Malvern Prep 3

Games of 11-11

Malvern Prep 5, Holy Ghost Prep 4 OT

Games of Wednesday 11-7

St. Joseph’s Prep 4, Malvern Prep 3

Holy Ghost Prep 9, North Penn 1

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North Penn 4, Central Bucks East 3 OT

By Rick Woelfel

WARWICK—North Penn and Central Bucks East made a bit of hockey history Wednesday night. The Knights and the Patriots engaged in the first regular-season overtime game in Suburban High School Hockey League history.

Ryan Cunningham scored with a slapshot from just off the left circle 2:08 into the five-minute overtime to give the Knights a 4-3 win. The goal came off a right-circle faceoff. Tyler Greenstein sent the puck across the ice to Cunningham, who rocketed the puck past Patriot goaltender Chris McIntyre.

Prior to Wednesday night the Knights (1-1, 1-0 in league play) had a bit of experience with three-on-three overtime.

“We did a scrimmage game with C.B. West,” said North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis, “and we played the last five minutes of that with the three-on-three. We got to get a little exposure to it. A lot of the kids have played travel hockey and they do it in travel hockey now.”

Cunningham’s goal came on a play that was executed as designed. “We work on specific plays like that,” the junior defenseman said. “For specific moments in overtime and on the power play and it happened to work out pretty well.”

Goals came fast and furious early on. Greenstein and Josh Kaufhold scored first-period goals for North Penn and East’s Sean Gorman scored in between. The three goals came in a span of just 48 seconds. Phil McIntyre tied the game for the Patriots just 23 seconds into the second stanza.

After that, the game turned into a goaltending dual between McIntyre and North Penn’s Nick Ebbbinghaus, both of whom were first rate. McIntyre finished with 45 saves.

Mike Capps filled in behind the Patriot bench for Ken Latchum, who was absent.

“(McIntyre) could be the best in in the league,” Capps said. He’s a young guy, only a junior. A very good player. We’re lucky to have him.”

With seven minutes left in the middle period the Patriots just missed taking the lead when Matt Cipriano’s blast from the top of the slot eluded Ebbinghaus but the referee on the play ruled the puck did not cross the goal line.

Luke Van Why gave North Penn a 3-2 lead with a power-play goal 4:33 into the final period before the Patriots with his second goal of the game at the 9:36 mark.

After a one-sided loss to Holy Ghost Prep in their season opener, Vaitis said Wednesday’s win was a big step forward for the Knights. “It was very important for us,” he said. It was our first league game of the season. We only get to play these guys once. We played them last year to a real close game and we knew with a bunch of the guys coming back they were going to be a tough team.”

There would not have been a shootout had the teams played a full five minutes of overtime. The game would have been considered a tie.

North Penn 2 0 1 1—4

C.B. East 1 1 1 0—3

First-period goals: Tyler Greenstein (NP) from Josh Kaufhold, 8:50 (pp); Sean Gorman (CBE) unassisted, 9:27; Kaufhold (NP) from Greenstein, 9:38.

Second-period goal: Phil McIntyre (CBE) from Bogden Borodenko, :23.

Third-period goals: Luke Van Why (NP) from Thomas Boyle, 4:33; Gorman (CBE) from Jasen Cluckey, 9:36 (sh).

Overtime goal: Ryan Cunningham (NP) from Greenstein and Van Why, 2:08.
Shots: North Penn 46, C.B. East 22; Saves: Nick Ebbinghaus (NP) 19, Chris McIntyre (CBE) 42

SHSHL Update 11-10-19

Suburban High School Hockey League Standings Through Friday 11-9

Class AA W L OTW OTL/T Pts

Neshaminy (2-0-0-0) 1 0 0 0 2

C.B. South (1-0-0-1) 1 0 0 0 2

Pennsbury (1-0-0-0) 0 0 0 0 0

C.R. South (0-1-0-0) 0 0 0 0 0

William Tennent (0-1-0-0) 0 0 0 0 0

Abington (1-2-0-0) 0 0 0 0 0

C.B. East (2-0-0-0)) 0 0 0 0 0

C.B. West (1-0-0-0)) 0 0 0 0 0

North Penn (0-1-0-0) 0 0 0 0 0

Souderton (0-1-0-0) 0 0 0 0 0

Quakertown (0-1-0-0) 0 0 0 0 0

Pennridge (0-2-0-0) 0 1 0 0 0

Council Rock North (0-1-0-0) 0 1 0 0 0

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Class A W L OTW OTL/T Pts

Wissahickon (1-1-0-0) 1 0 0 0 2

Hatboro-Horsham (2-0-0-0) 0 0 0 0 0

Truman (0-1-0-0) 0 0 0 0 0

Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-0-0-0) 0 0 0 0 0

Lower Moreland (0-2-0-0) 0 1 0 0 0

Standings are calculated as follows

2 points for a win whether in regulation or OT

1 point for a tie or overtime loss

If a game is tied at the end of regulation there will be five minutes of three-on-three overtime, similar to the NHL.

If the game is still tied it will be recorded as a tie game.

The shootout will not be used

Jim Stewart Returns Home

The Malvern Prep graduate returns to his alma mater as athletic director

By Rick Woelfel

After more than a quarter century away, Jim Stewart has returned home to Malvern Prep. Stewart, a 1986 graduate of the school, became the Friars’ athletic director in July, succeeding Kurt Ruch. He returns to his alma mater after spending 27 years at Holy Ghost Prep.

“When I found out that the job was open, I was excited,” Stewart recalls. “Quite honestly, I had not interviewed for a job since 1992 and I thought ‘At the very least, why not give this a shot? At the place where I grew up?’”

Stewart did indeed grow up at Malvern, his father, Jim Stewart Sr. was the head of the school when he was growing up.

“I looked at Malvern as a very young child with wide eyes,” he said. “The high school kids looked like giants to me when I was a little kid. I was just in awe of all of that.

“Over the years, Malvern did a great job with welcoming families of employees onto campus. I got to know, not only a lot of other kids that were close to my age but the faculty here.

“I remember being in eighth grade and I said ‘I can’t imagine going to high school anywhere else’ because of the familiarity I had with people and the solid influence that the Augustinians had on me and the faculty certainly. I really enjoyed my four years here as a student. Not so much because my father was here but because of the people I got to know through him.”

Stewart swam for the Friars, competing for longtime coach

Paul Hornsleth, and also played some junior varsity baseball. Along the way, he absorbed and embraced the philosophies that would shape his own career later on.

“I just remember hearing over and over, ‘We do things the right way’” Stewart recalls. “’We’re class acts We don’ t disrespect officials and/or opponents. We compete fiercely, but we also respect everyone else that’s involved in the game and everything from behavior in the stands to how you behave on the field. I just seemed like the message was consistent.”

After college at Shippensburg University Stewart found his way to Holy Ghost Prep and took that message with him, along with some advice from his father.

“When I got the Holy Ghost Job my father gave me really simple advice,” he said, “’be firm, fair, and consistent. That’s something I tried to do at Holy Ghost and something I’m trying to do at Malvern early on.”

Stewart has enjoyed getting to know the school’s coaching staff. “I know the fall coaches really well now,” he said. “I’ve gotten to know the whole coaching staff just in terms of having an introductory meeting; getting to know what their expectations of their program is, the basics.

“One of the words that we use here is brotherhood, and you can see very tangible experiences with that in fall sports just the messages the coaches are communicating to their athletes and the way the athletes treat each other the way the parents are involved. You can really get a good sense of that. That’s been a real joy to be involved with so far.”

In his role as the athletic director at Holy Ghost Prep, Stewart helped launch the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference last winter. The league’s inaugural season was a success, he says, because of the similar philosophies of its four member schools.

“You have like-minded prep schools that want the same things,” he points out. “We all want to compete at a very high level against the best competition and it’s a bit hard to argue that the four schools involved in this league aren’t four of the premier hockey programs in the Philadelphia area.”

The APAC’s first season was characterized by not only a level of play but by mutual respect between opponents.

“These kids all know each other from the club world,” Stewart said. “So there’s a healthy respect there. When you see an aggressive play and opponents kind of talk to each other after that play because they know each other.”

Whether the sport is hockey or football, or any other, Stewart is committed to the concept that an interscholastic athletic program is an extension of the classroom and a component of the educational process,

“In very competitive that might be the last thing on people’s minds,” he said. “I think that’s a challenge for every athletic department in high-school athletics. That you want the lessons learned well beyond what’s happening on the field. That’s no different at Malvern, that’s a challenge at times, but I go back to the brotherhood thing; the respect kids have for each other and their coaches. That’s what I see so far.

“We’re learning lessons, we’re learning how to be leaders here. We’re learning to be good servants, to respect the game. I think that we’re doing the right thing here as far as I can see so far.”

SHSHL Previews

The Suburban High School Hockey League season is officially underway. Here’s a look at the 1919-20 campaign.

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Class AA

National Division

Abington

Coach: Ken Brzozowski (third season)

Last Year: 5-7-4

Key players: So. Ben Panella (G); Fr. Sam Nemac (G); Jr. Colin Bruton (F); Jr. Ethan Wielheimer (D); Jr. Holden Brooker (D); So. Tommy Rourke (D-F); So. Joe Stelacio (D-F)

Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts will put a young time on the ice this season; the roster features 15 underclassmen. But after barely missing the playoffs a year ago, Brzozowski is excited about the coming campaign.

“This team has been working hard since August,” he said, “and has developed great chemistry…I am very excited to coach this young team with our experienced juniors.”

Council Rock North

Coach: Chris Gallagher (fourth season)

Last year: 2-14

Key players: Jr. Rex Goldberg (G); Sr. Vlad Litnov (F); Sr. Colin Kiefer (F); Sr. Will Sohn (F)

Outlook: The Indians continue to strengthen their program. This year’s lineup will feature an infusion of young talent; there are 10 freshmen on the roster. Goldberg is an experienced netminder while Kiefer and Sohn will play key roles up front.

Council Rock South

Coach: Joe Houk (14^th season)

Last year: 6-9-3

Key players: Sr. Alex Patrizi (G); Jr. Jimmy Sweeney (G); Sr. David Mueller (D); Sr. Billy Harrelson (F)

Outlook: The Golden Hawks will look continue to build on last season, when a young team worked its way into the postseason.

The goaltending tandem of Patrizi and Sweeney is a foundation on which to build.

“We have a solid defensive core and three solid lines,” Houk said. Good teams are built from the goal line out & I think we’re in pretty good shape and we’ll be very competitive with the top teams this year. “

Neshaminy

Head Coach: Matthew DeMatteo (third season)
Key players: So. Brian Nelson (G); Jr. Matthew Buchinski (D); Sr. Ryan McColgan (D); Jr. Robbie Seewagen (F); Sr. Joseph DeMatteo (F); Sr. Charlie Potash (F); Jr. Thomas Gallagher (F); Fr. Nolan Geria (F)

Outlook: The ‘Skins return their three top scorers from a year ago in Seewagen, DeMatteo, and Gallagher. Geria heads up a talented freshman class. Nelson will be a new face between the pipes but has looked impressive.

Pennsbury

Coach: Ryan Daley (third season)

Last year: 8-8-3

Key players: So. Topher Seiler (G); Sr. Ben Dous (F-D); St. Jasper Millman (D); Sr. Jake Machlovitz (F); Sr. Beau Yedman (F); So, Shane Sigmund (F); Jr. Erik Eisler (F); Fr. Brendan Macainish (F)

Outlook: The Falcons took some big strides forward last season by qualifying for the Flyers Cup tournament for the first time in three years. This year’s group is a blend of youth and experience. Daley is counting on the four seniors on the roster to provide leadership.

William Tennent

Coach: Nick D’Auruzio (10^th season)

Last year: 3-11-2

Key players: Sr. Stephen Skiba (D); Jr. Zach Devor (D); Jr. Justin Carrelli (F); Sr. Tom Hartenstein (F)

Outlook: The Panthers will be young again this season and hoping to improve on last season’s mark. “Our goal is to improve every year,” D’Aurizio said, “and this team looks ready to take the next step.

Continental Division

Central Bucks East

Coach: Ken Latchum (third season in suucession, 12^th overall)

Last year: 5-8-3

Key players: Jr. Chris McIntyre (G); Jr. Connor Keiser (D); Jr. Shane West (D); So. Sean Gorman (F); Sr. Nick LoCastro (F); Sr. Dan Tori (F); Jr. Max Ermigiotti (F); So. Phil McIntyre (F)

Outlook: The Patriots are thin in terms of numbers but Latchum is impressed with his team’s work ethic.

“It’s a hardworking group,” he said. “Our talent will be tested. There will be chances for young players as well as seniors to step up.”

Central Bucks South

Coach: Shaun McGinty (fifth season)

Last year: 17-6-2
Key players: Jr. Mason Moyer (G); Sr. Ryan Gingras (D); Sr. Brian Keilman (D); Sr. Dom Patrone (F); Sr. Steve McMillan (F); Sr. Harry McLaughlin (F); Sr. Colin Abbonizio (F); Sr. Matt Milanesi (F)

Outlook: The eight-time SHSHL Class AA champions feature a roster with 10 seniors on it. This team may not have the offensive firepower of seasons past. But Moyer is a proven goaltender and the Titans generally find a way to make the pieces fit.

Central Bucks West

Coach: Dave Baun (16^th season)

Last year: 10-9

Key players: Sr. Jake Coddington (G); So. Grant Funseth (D); So. Evan Hee (D); Sr Christopher Trefz (F); Sr. Jake Lang (F); Sr. Danny Poliak (F); Jr. Keith Orlando (F); So. Billy Loughnane (F)

Outlook: The Bucks will have 10 new faces in this year’s lineup but have some experienced seniors as well in the likes of Trefz and Lang up front and Coddington in goal.

“As go your leaders, so goes your team,” Baun said, “and we feel very confident that we have the kind of group that can lead us to great things this year.”

North Penn

Coach: Kevin Vaitis (11th season)

Last year: 15-6-3

Key players: Sr. Tyler Greenstein (F); Sr. Josh Kaufhold (F); Sr. Tommy Boyle (F/D); Jr. Luke Van Why (D); Jr. Ryan Cunningham (D); So. Tony Tuozzo (F); So. Nicholas Ebbinghaus (G)

Outlook: The Knights will field one of the SHSHL’s most experienced teams. Twelve players return from the team that reached the Class AA Flyers Cup quarterfinals. The returnees include Greenstein, last year’s leading scorer, along with Boyle and Van Why on the blue line and Ebbinghause in goal. The pieces are in place for a promising season.

Pennridge

Coach: Jeff Montagna (second season)

Last year: 17-2-1; won SHSHL Class AA title

Key players: So. Ryan Pico (G); Jr. Conner Frisch (D); Sr. Michael White (F); Jr. Jeff Manto (F); Jr. Blake Stewart

Outlook: Much of last year’s championship team is gone but seven players are back who saw extensive varsity time last year including White up front. The defense will be new however, and Pico is a newcomer in goal.

“We will be much better than people think,” Montagna said, “depending on how new defensive core develops

Souderton

Coach: Ryan Uchniat (second season)

Last year: 2-13-1

Key players: Sr. Jonathan Prichard (G); Fr. Noah Connor (G) So. Carter Povazan (D) Sr. Jacob Bealer (D) Sr. Thomas Harris (F); Jr. Tyler MacPhee (F); So Kyle Anderson (F)

Outlook: Last year was a year of growth for a young team. Uchniat is hoping that experience will pay dividends this year.

“Last season was a year of growth for our younger players. A few freshmen saw significant ice time and look to take another big leap forward this year.”

Quakertown

Coach: Keith Krem

Last year: First-year team

Key players: Jr. Austin Stoudt (G); Jr. Eric Orezehoski (D); Sr. Jake p Dilger (F); So. Anthony Pagliei

Outlook: The Panthers are making their debut in the SHSHL this season. There has been hockey at Quakertown in the past, but not under the SHSHL banner.

“We are very excited for hockey to be in Quakertown,“ Krem said, “and for the season to begin.”

Class A

American Division

Hatboro-Horsham

Coach: Gianni Lafratta (second season)

Last year: 5-5-2

Key players: Sr. Joey Gambino (G), Sr. Ziyad Elsabbagh (D); So. Ben Lerner (D); Jr. Aidan Esack (F), Fr. Nick Long (F)

Outlook: The Hatters had trouble scoring goals at times last season but were stingy at the other end of the ice. They allowed just 49 goal in a division where high-scoring games were the norm. Long will be counted on to score goals.

Lower Moreland

Coach: Gus Salfiti (second season)

Last year 12-4-3

Key players: So. Jacob Lungin (G); Jr. Devin Green (D); Jr. Vincenzo DeMaio (F); Jr. Noah Gazzara (D-F); So. Tyler Scolnick (F).

Outlook: The Lions played for the American Division championship a year ago. It will be a young team; there are no seniors on the roster, and likely will be lacking in numbers. But the players on hand have a good amount of varsity experience.

Plymouth Whitemasrh

Coach: Josh Aiello (sixth season)

Last year: 10-5-1

Key players: Sr. Ben Yuter (G); Sr. Ben Lubas (D); Sr. Dean Keller (F); Sr. Colin Franzoni (F); Sr. Jake Weikel (F); So. Aidan Keogh (F)

Outlook: A young Colonial team reached the Class A Flyers Cup quarterfinals a year ago. This team is more experienced; there are nine seniors on hand; and features Yuter in goal along with Keller and Franzoni, two of the American Division’s premier offensive threats.

Also competing in the American Division: Truman, Wissahickon