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Johnny Seravalli scored goals to help Holy Ghost Prep to a 4-2 win over Buffalo St. Francis Saturday evening in the third round of the National Scholastic Invitational in Jamestown, New York. Colin Mudrick finished with 24 saves.
The win puts the Firebirds into Sunday morning’s semifinals.
Earlier Saturday, A.J. Prete scored two goals to lead Holy Ghost Prep to a 5-0 win over Medina, Ohio on Saturday in a second-round game.
Colin Mudrick got the shutout in goal, making 25 saves.
Brady Baehser delivered a hat trick, including the winning goal with 1:23 left in overtime, as Holy Ghost Prep downed Erie Cathedral Prep 5-4 Friday evening in the opening round of the National Scholastic Invitational in Jamestown, New York.
Cathedral Prep scored two power-play goals to take a 4-3 lead with 1:38 left in regulation before Baesher tied the game 20 seconds later to force overtime.The Firebirds (3-1), who are the Invitational’s defending champions, are scheduled to face Medina (Ohio) at noon on Saturday and St, Francis from Buffalo at 6:00 Saturday evening.
HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—Crisp and efficient. That phrase would best describe Holy Ghost Prep’s performance against La Salle Wednesday afternoon.
Landon Stout scored two goals and assisted on another and Kieran Mulholland found the back of the net twice as the Firebirds dominated in the course of a 6-2 win over La Salle at Hatfield Ice in the season and APAC opener for both schools.
The Firebirds had their foot on the gas from the opening faceoff. Stout and Mulholland scored goals 59 seconds apart to give their team a 2-0 advantage with 5:48 left in the first period. Stout’s goal came on a power play.
“It helped us out a lot,” Stout said of his team’s start. “That’s what we try to do, try to come out and get a quick start.”
Evan Golato got La Salle on the scoreboard 4:19 into the second frame but there weren’t many bright spots for the Explorers after that.
Stout scored his second goal of the game with 2:49 left in the period before assisting on a goal from Zach Pers 38 seconds into the third. Anthony Valeriote and Mulholland added additional goals before Charlie Kennedy scored for La Salle with 2.9 seconds remaining.
Colin Mudrick got the win in goal, making 25 saves
Stout spoke to the Firebirds’ depth and their senior leadership; there are 10 seniors on the roster.
”We had all four line rolling,” he said. “I think, when the older guys set an example, it kind of gets the younger guys going. I think we did a good job of that.”
Stout notes the importance of senior showing the way for their teammates.
“It’s a huge responsibility,” he said, “and I think our seniors did a good job of it.”
Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside celebrated his team’s performance.
“We were really happy with the game today,” he said. They’ve been working hard in practice.
“We knew we had some good kids, we just didn’t know what type of team we were going to have and I though we responded really well, all four lines. We had good leadership out on the ice and I thought we did some really good things. But it’s only Game One. It’s a long season.”
For La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner, Wednesday’s opener was an exercise in frustration
“We got outworked for a full game,” he said. “Guys didn’t step up. We got outworked the full game.
Muehlbronner pledged that his team would discover a work ethic. “We’re going to find it,” he said.
HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—Crisp and efficient. That phrase would best describe Holy Ghost Prep’s performance against La Salle Wednesday afternoon.
Landon Stout scored two goals and assisted on another and Kieran Mulholland found the back of the net twice as the Firebirds dominated in the course of a 6-2 win over La Salle at Hatfield Ice in the season and APAC opener for both schools.
The Firebirds had their foot on the gas from the opening faceoff. Stout and Mulholland scored goals 59 seconds apart to give their team a 2-0 advantage with 5:48 left in the first period. Stout’s goal came on a power play.
“It helped us out a lot,” Stout said of his team’s start. “That’s what we try to do, try to come out and get a quick start.”
Evan Golato got La Salle on the scoreboard 4:19 into the second frame but there weren’t many bright spots for the Explorers after that.
Stout scored his second goal of the game with 2:49 left in the period before assisting on a goal from Zach Pers 38 seconds into the third. Anthony Valeriote and Mulholland added additional goals before Charlie Kennedy scored for La Salle with 2.9 seconds remaining.
Colin Mudrick got the win in goal, making 25 saves
Stout spoke to the Firebirds’ depth and their senior leadership; there are 10 seniors on the roster.
”We had all four line rolling,” he said. “I think, when the older guys set an example, it kind of gets the younger guys going. I think we did a good job of that.”
Stout notes the importance of senior showing the way for their teammates.
“It’s a huge responsibility,” he said, “and I think our seniors did a good job of it.”
Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside celebrated his team’s performance.
“We were really happy with the game today,” he said. They’ve been working hard in practice.
“We knew we had some good kids, we just didn’t know what type of team we were going to have and I though we responded really well, all four lines. We had good leadership out on the ice and I thought we did some really good things. But it’s only Game One. It’s a long season.”
For La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner, Wednesday’s opener was an exercise in frustration
“We got outworked for a full game,” he said. “Guys didn’t step up. We got outworked the full game.
Muehlbronner pledged that his team would discover a work ethic. “We’re going to find it,” he said.
Landon Stout speaks with Rick Woelfel about Wednesday’s game
Holy Ghost Prep 2 1 3—6
La Salle 0 1 1—2
First-period goals: Landon Stout (HGP) from Brady Baehser and John Seravalli, 10:19 (pp); Kieran Mulholland (HGP) from Shaun Moore and Mike Holt, 11:18
Second-period goals: Evan Golato (L) from Ryan Warner, 4:19; Stout (HGP) From Baehser, 14:11
Third-period goals: Zach Pers (HGP) from Stout and Patrick Slook, :38; Anthony Valeriote (HGP) from Slook, 4:01; Mulholland (HGP) from Baehser and Pers, 12:38 (pp); Charlie Kennedy (L) from Dean Carvalho.
Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 36, La Salle 27; Saves Colin Mudrick (HGP) 25, Aries Carangi (L) 30
As the start of a new scholastic hockey season approaches, the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is continuing to evolve.
The APAC, which will be starting its fifth season this fall, will once again include five teams. Defending conference and Class AAA Flyers Cup champion Malvern Prep will be joined by Holy Ghost Prep, The Hun School, St. Joseph’s Prep, and La Salle.
In addition, the conference has created partnerships with two other private schools, The Haverford School and Devon Prep which will compete against APAC member schools this season.
“The APAC schools are coordinating as scheduling partners with The Haverford School and Devon Prep, two institutions with developing varsity ice hockey programs,” said APAC Commissioner Jim Britt. Those games will not count as part of the APAC regular-season standings, but the competitions will help develop future opportunities.”
While the complete APAC schedule has yet to be announced, the conference has scheduled two doubleheader events for this season. The first will be sometime in mid-November on a date and at a site to be announced. The second will be an outdoor event on January 11, 2023 at the Spring Mountain outdoor rink in Spring Mount.
Defending champion Holy Ghost Prep heads the field for the 16th annual National Invitational Scholastic Showcase. The annual extravaganza is scheduled for December 2-4 in Jamestown, NY and will feature teams from Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Ontario who will all be on a quest to win the Governor’s Cup.
The field will include:
• Bethel Park Blackhawks WPA – 2021 Pa Hockey Scholastic Showcase Champions
• Buffalo St Francis Red Raiders NY – 2006 NISS Governors Cup Champions
• Cathedral Prep Ramblers WPA – 2019 NISS Governors Cup Champions
• Culver Academy IND – 32-Time Indiana Champions
• Franklin Regional Panthers WPA – 2022 Penguins Cup Finalists
• Holy Ghost Prep Firebirds EPA – 2022 and 5 NISS Governors Cup Champions
• Glenbrook South Titans ILL – 2022 Hoosier Cup Champions
• Meadville Bulldogs WPA – 8 Time Pennsylvania Champions
• Medina Bees OHIO – 3-Time Ohio Club Champions
• North Allegheny Tigers WPA – 3-Time Pennsylvania Cup Champions
• Ontario Hockey Academy – 3-time NISS Governors Cup Champions
• Peters Township Indians WPA – 2022 Pennsylvania Champions
• St Edwards Eagles OHIO – 11-Time Ohio State Champions
• St Ignatius Wildcats OHIO – 7-Time Ohio State Champions
• St Joseph’s Marauders NY – 10- Time New York State Champions
• University School Preppers OHIO – 2-Time Ohio State Champions
Founders Cup champion Malvern Prep has three players named to the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference All-Conference first team.
Forward Matt Harris, defenseman Quinn Dougherty, and goaltender Anthony Perti were named to the team by the conference’s head coaches.
Harris and Dougherty were unanimous selections.
Harris, Perti, and Brady Baehser of Holy Ghost Prep were first-team selections a year ago.
First Team
Matt Harris F Sr. Malvern Prep
Brady Baehser F Jr. Holy Ghost Prep
Jeff Hammond F Jr. St. Joseph’s Prep
Quinn Dougherty D Sr. Malvern Prep
Nick Storti D Sr. St. Joseph’s Prep
Anthony Perti G Sr. Malvern Prep
Second Team
Jimmy Jacobs F Jr. Malvern Prep
Keenan Schneider F Sr. La Salle
Pierre Larocque F Sr. Malvern Prep
Gavin O’ Connell D Sr. La Salle
Brian Butler D Sr. Holy Ghost Prep
Rocco Bruno G Jr. St. Joseph’s Prep
Honorable Mention
Stephen Chen G Hun School
Chase Hannon D La Salle
Brady Doyle D Malvern Prep
Dan Whitlock F La Salle
Brendan Marino F Malvern Prep
Malvern Prep 6 Holy Ghost Prep 2
The defending Class AAA Flyers Cup champion Friars scored three times in the first period and went on to a 6-2 win over Holy Ghost Prep Wednesday night in a semifinal game at Ice Line.
Matt Harris scored three goals and assisted on another to lead the Friars into next week’s final against St. Joseph’s Prep. That game will be played at Ice Line (date/time TBD).
Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 2
Malvern Prep 3 2 1—6
First-period goals: Hayden Campbell (MP) from Teague Murray, 5:52; Jimmy Jacobs (MP) from Matt Harris, 9:39; Harris (MP) from Caiden Canale and Pierre Larocque, 10:08
Second-period goals: Harris (MP) from Brady Doyle, 3:02; Harris (MP) from Larocque: 5:17
Third-period goals: Brady Baehser (HGP) from Ciaran Chambers and Shaun Moore, 6:29 (pp); Harris (MP) unassisted, 14:54 (sh/en); Brian Butler (HGP) unassisted, 15:59
Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 37, Malvern Prep 31; Saves: Jason Soule (HGP) 18 and Colin Mudrick (HGP) 7, Anthony Perti (MP) 35)
Council Rock South 4 Haverford 1
David Vergules scored three goals as the third-seeded Golden Hawks downed the defending champion and second-seeded Fords Wednesday night in a Flyers Cup Class AA semifinal at Ice Line. Julian Wagenmann recoded two assists for the Golden Hawks, who broke the game open with three goals in the third period.
South will face Pennridge next week in the championship game at Hatfield Ice (date/time TBD).
C.R. South 1 0 3—4
Haverford 1 0 0—1
First-period goals: David Vergules (CRS) unassisted, 3:28; Jagur McClelland (H) from Nate Rabadam, 5:19
Third-period goals: Vergules (CRS) from Julian Wagenmann, 4:00; Kevin Koles (CRS) from Wagenmann, 5:43; Vergules (CRS) from Peter Pereborow and Baize Pepe, 15:09 (en)
Shots: Council Rock South 25, Haverford 27; Saves: Carson Lopez (CRS) 26, Jai Jani (H) 21
Former Holy Ghost Prep hockey player goaltender Bogdan Sharapat
is leading an effort to bring his mother from the Ukraine to the United States.
Sharapat, a native of the Ukraine, graduated from Holy Ghost Prep in 2016.
He came to the U.S. and enrolled at Holy Gost Prep through a relationship with the school’s junior varsity hockey coach George Mundy. He graduated from HGP, recently graduated from Temple University and now lives with his wife in Philadelphia.
Over the last several weeks, Sharapat has been working to help his mother survive the war in Ukraine. In the last few days the situation has become impossible and, along with the Mundy family, Bogdan has arranged for his mom, Olga, to escape to Poland and come to the United States and live at the Mundys’ house in Yardley. She will be coming here with nothing.
He has created a Go Fund Me page which can be found here
HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—Teams often look at a postseason tournament as an opportunity for a fresh start. Holy Ghost Prep embraced that mindset Thursday night. The Firebirds scored three times in a three-minute span in the first period and went on to a 7-2 win over Father Judge in Class AAA Flyers Cup first-round game at Hatfield Ice.
The fourth-seeded Firebirds (11-11) will face top-seeded and defending champion Malvern Prep in a semifinal game at 6:45 next Wednesday at Ice Line.
The Firebirds’ eruption began 6:38 into the first frame when Shaun Moore scored off a scramble in front of the Crusader net. Michael Holt made it a 2-0 game at the 9:13 mark and John Seravalli followed right behind him at 9:37, the Firebirds’ third goal in a span of 2:59.
Senior Dominick Lombardo assisted Seravalli’s goal. “Going in, we knew we were coming off a couple hard losses,” he said. “We had a good win (In the APAC playoffs) against Hun and then we ended up taking a hard loss against (Malvern Prep).
“Going into this game, we just came in all as a team. We knew we could beat Judge, we beat them before (9-2 during the regular season).”
Lombardo noted the importance of the Firebirds’ fast start.
“For me, I knew it (could be) my last game,” he said. “If we lost, I would have been done. “So, I’m playing for me, I’m playing for the seniors, I’m playing for the kids that are hurt. Everything we do is for all the seniors.”
The fifth-seeded Crusaders made it a one-goal game for time in the second period when Anthony Casper and Matthew Moser scored goals 15 seconds apart to make it a 3-2 game with 6:21 still to go in the period. But Logan Barnes, Brendan Schultz, and Kieran Mulholland scored in a span of 3:37 to send Holy Ghost Prep into the third period with a four-goal advantage.
Moore scored the only goal of the third period.
It was the sort of performance Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside had been waiting for a while.
“I knew we had it in us,” he said. “I really liked our start. Those three goals in the first period really helped us get our game in gear.
“I thought we let up a little bit. But I liked the way we responded.”
Father Judge 0 2 0—2
Holy Ghost Prep 3 3 1—7
First-period goals: Shaun Moore (HGP) from Landon Stout, 6:38; Michael Holt (HGP) from John Seavalli, 9:13; Seravalli (HGP) from Sean Marshall and Dominic Lombardo, 9:37
Second-period goals: Anthony Casper (FJ) from Michael Fontaine and Matthew Moser, 10:24; Moser (FJ) unassisted, 10:39; Logan Barnes (HGP) from Ryan Lippy, 11:25; Brendan Schutzenhofer (HGP) from Marshall, 13:02; Kieran Mulholland (HGP) from Zach Pers, 15:02
Third-period goal: Shaun Moore (HGP) from Mulholland and Pers, 14:37
Shots: Father Judge 21, Holy Ghost Prep 46; Saves: Coin McKee (FJ) 39, Jason Soule (HGP) 20
WEST GOSHEN—There wasn’t much to choose between Malvern Prep and Holy Ghost Prep Wednesday night. The end result, a 4-1 victory for the Friars, was somewhat misleading.
With two minutes remaining in regulation the two teams were locked in a 1-1 standoff but Malvern Prep scored three times in a span of 1 minute, 25 seconds to emerge victorious in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference semifinal at Iceline.
The top-seeded Friars (13-3) will host Founders Cup final next week on a date and at a time to be announced. The fifth-seeded Firebirds fell to 10-11. Both teams will be part of the Class AAA Flyers Cup field next month; the Friars are the defending champions.
Jeremy Jacobs scored what proved to be the winning goal with 1:29 left in regulation in the midst of a scramble in front of the Firebirds’ net off a setup from Matt Harris and Larocque.
Harris added a goal from long range with 1:02 remaining before scoring into an empty net with four seconds left. He noted the game was up for grabs entering the final stanza.
“We knew (Holly Ghost Prep) was going to come out strong,” he said. “We knew they had beaten Hun School 9-4 (in Monday’s play-in game) so we knew we had to keep the pressure on the whole game.”
The Firebirds controlled the first minutes of the opening period but, in a prelude of things to come, couldn’t solve Anthony Perti in the Friars’ net and eventually momentum shifted Malvern Prep’s way.
Pierre Larocque gave the Friars a 1-0 just past the midway point of the opening period on a goal off an offensive-right-wing faceoff.
That was all the scoring there was until Kieran Mulholland tied the game for Holy Ghost Prep 2:54 into the final period.
It was a testament to both goaltenders that there wasn’t more scoring; both came up big. Perti stopped 31 of the 32 shots he saw. His counterpart, Jason Soule made 36 saves including a stop on a backhander from Harris that kept the score 1-0 at the time.
Harris lauded Perti’s work. “It meant a lot,” he said. “Our goalie has ben playing phenomenal. During this last stretch it’s pretty much win or go home. The goalies have to be hot.”
Firebird coach Gump Whiteside felt his team deserved better. “A credit to Malvern Prep,” he said. They had our number tonight, they’ve had our number all year. (But) we have the Flyers Cup to look forward to.”
Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 1
Malvern Prep 1 0 3—4
First-period goal: Pierre Larocque (MP) from Brayden Baum and Hayden Campbell, 8:27
Third-period goals: Kieran Mulholland (HGP) from Dominic Lombardo and Brandon Barger, 2:54; Jeremy Jacobs (MP) from Matt Harris and Larocque, 15:31 Harris (MP) unassisted, 15:58; Harris (MP) unassisted 16:56
Shots: Malvern Prep 40, Holy Ghost Prep 32; Saves: Jason Soule (HGP) 36, Anthony Perti (MP) 31
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