Pennridge 10 C.B. East 0

Pennridge overwhelmed shorthanded Central Bucks East Wednesday night and rolled to the win in a SHSHL National Division semifinal at Hatfield Ice that was halted with 5:48 remaining in the third period.

Kevin Pico had a five-point night for the top-seeded Rams (18-1-2) with three goals and two assists. Andrew Savona contributed two goals and two assists.

Shane Dachowski, Ian Brouse, Josh Kelly, James Rush, and James Embert also scored goals.

The fourth-seeded Patriots (12-6-2) were without several players and coach Jeff Mitchell because of suspensions and injuries.

“We knew they were going to be down,” said Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna, “but we knew we could not look past them. We played very well and got scoring from all four lines.

Pennridge will face Council Rock South for the National Division title Thursday night at Hatfield Ice. Game time is 7:45.

C.B. East 0 0 0—0

Pennridge 4 4 2—10

First-period goals: Andrew Savona (P) unassisted, 5:22; Savona from Kevin Pico, 8:46 (pp); Pico from Savona and Shane Dachowski, 12:24; James Rush (P) from Jared Garber and Pico, 14:28

Second-period goals: Dachowski (P) from John Mikulich and Savona, 1:04; Ian Brouse (P) from Dhilan Howard and Ryan Mikhulich, 4:08; Josh Kelly (P) gtom Dachowski and John Mikulich, 5:50; Pico from Dachowski and Tyler Manto, 10:14

Third-period goals: James Embert (P) from Nathan McKean and Kelly, 8:16; Pico (P) unassisted, 11:12

Game terminated with 5:48 remaining in the third period

Shots: C.B. Est 11, Pennridge 67 Saves: Cole Breen (CBE) 57, Jacob Winton (P) 11

Pennridge 7 C.B. South 1

The last pieces of the SHSHL playoff puzzle are now in place.

Pennridge turned in a solid, workmanlike, effort Wednesday night, en route to a 7-1 win over Central Bucks South at Hatfield Ice.

The Rams closed the SHSHL regular season at 16-1-1 in divisional play (17-1-2 overall) and will be seeded first when the National Division playoffs commence next week.

Andrew Savona once more occupied center stage, scoring four goals and assisting on another.

His linemate, Kevin Pico, assisted on three goals while Shane Dachowski, the third member of the trio, scored two goals and assisted on another.

Pico spoke to the significance of the win with the playoffs at hand.

“It was huge,” he said. “Our last game of the season. To put up that many goals and get that first seed locked in.

Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna noted his team’s effort over the full 51 minutes.

“Tonight was probably our best game of the year,” he said. “One thing this team does really well is, when the goal is in front of them and they know what they’re playing for, they take it to a different level. They’ve done that for three years, they did that tonight. It was a great game all around.”

Dachowski gave the Rams the lead with 2:26 left in the opening period. In the second session, the floodgates opened when Savona, James Rush, and Savona again, scored three unanswered goals in a span of 11 minutes, 21 seconds. The first two were shorthanded, the third, Savona’s second coming just as a South penalty expired. For all intents and purposes it was game, set, and match Pennridge at that point.

The Titans (12-5-1 in the division, 12-7-1 overall), who will be seeded third for the playoffs never really got things started. Their only goal came off the stick of Ryan Montagna with 6:36 left in the third period.

“You’ve got to show up,” said South coach Shaun McGinty. “We lost three periods in a row. Defensively, we weren’t there. We gave up two shorthanded goals on four power plays. I said to the boys, ’There’s no mathematical equation that’s going to issue a W.

“You lose three periods in a row, you can’t win a game; you’ve got to take it one period at a time.”

The Rams, who were Class AA Flyers Cup finalists a year ago, and Flyers Cup and state champions the tear before, will now have a week-long break before beginning another postseason challenge.

“I think it will be a good week to have off,” Pico said, “resting up and then get going again.

“Some of our guys’ club seasons are over so now that we have [only] high school, it’s definitely a nice time that we can rest. Looking forward to playoffs, definitely.”

Ice chips: Pico leads the entire SHSHL in scoring with 28 goals and 47 assists for 75 points. Savona is next with 40 goals and 31 assists for 71 points, followed by Shane Dachowski (27-33-60).

“You can watch high-school hockey for a long time,” Montagna said. “You’re not going to find a better line than those three. It’s amazing, some of the things they do on the ice.”

C.B. South 0 0 1—1

Pennridge 1 4 2—7

First-period goal: Shane Dachowski (P) from Kevin Pico, 14:34

Second-period goals: Andrew Savona (P) from Pico, 1:47 (sh); James Rush, unassisted, 2:04; Savona (P) from Pico and Colin Dachowki, 13:08; Savona (P) from Nick Young, 16:05

Third-period goals: Savona (P) unassisted, 8:18; Ryan Montagna (CBS) from Colin Mendham and Sean Cutter, 10:24; Shane Dachowski (P) from Savona, 15:08

Shots: C.B. South 31, Pennridge 37; Saves: Nathan Neapolitan (CBS) 30, Jacob Winston (P) 30

Hockey Happenings is looking for individuals interested in supporting our coverage of the upcoming SHSHL playoffs. Contact us at the link above or at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com for details.

Philadelphia Blind Hockey Event Brings Awareness to Vision Issues

Some high-school hockey players got a new view of their sport and some life lessons along with it Thursday night. Players from nine area high-school teams participated in the inaugural Philadelphia Blind Hockey 3 on 3 Blind Awareness Tournament at Hatfield Ice.

Proceeds from the evening benefitted the Philadelphia Blind Hockey organization.

Each team participated in two 24-minute cross-ice scrimmages while wearing googles designed to simulate various forms of vision loss (goaltenders were blindfolded).

For Central Bucks South senior captain D.J. Lindenmuth, it was a unique experience.

“It was something I’ve never experienced,” he said. “I was playing basically blinded at some points with barriers in my vision, but it was a great time. Everyone had some fun.”

Lindenmuth tried on an assortment of versions of the goggles. One pair simulated cataracts. Another gave the players a sense of the effects of diabetes on eyesight.

Lindenmuth noted how skating with reduced vision impacted his perception of the ice.

“If definitely changed the game for sure,” he said. “You’ve got to use your ears a lot more to make sure you know where you are on the ice. It’s more or less listening, and knowing where your teammates are knowing where you need to go, where the net’s at.”

Pennridge senior Kevin Pico said he and his teammates tried on an assortment of goggles to get an overview of different types of vision loss. On the ice their sense of hearing helped them adapt to their new surroundings.

“You’ve be quiet and listen to [the puck] so you can hear the jingles of the [ball bearings] inside of it,” Pico said.

Central Bucks South coach Shaun McGinty stressed the importance of his team being part of the event.

“[Flyers Cup Committee President] Eric Tye invited us to do this and I didn’t even ask my board’s permission,” he said. “I just said ‘We’re in.’

“It wasn’t a thought process for me. It was ‘We’re in, whatever I can do.’ Part of community service is understanding what you have, and giving up your time.”

Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna took note of the atmosphere at Hatfield Ice, both inside and outside the Blue Rink.

“This is incredible,” he said. “We’re really proud to be a part of this. I know the players are. They can’t believe the event they put together out here. It’s really, really, cool to watch.”

Montagna had no shortage of athletes who wanted to take part in Wednesday night’s event before he selected 10.

“They all volunteered for this,” he said. We had more guys that wanted to do this than we had room. I think that’s what I’m most proud of.

“They’ve loved working with these kids [at Philadelphia Blind Hockey clinics], they’ve loved working with this program. It’s gotten bigger and bigger for our players and we hope be a part of it moving forward.”

Pico says being part of Thursday night’s event gave him a new appreciation for what visually impaired people dal with on a day-to-day basis.

“You’ve got to give them respect,” he said. “[Playing hockey while visually impaired] It looks a lot easier than it is and once you actually try, you realize how hard it is.”

Lindenmuth says that participating in the tournament is part of the Titans’ commitment to giving back.

“I think that it shows that our club does things for the community,” he said. “They want everyone to notice [Philadelphia] Blind Hockey. And just raise awareness and have a good time.

“Hockey is one big family. Everyone looks out for each other.”

McGinty was asked what life lessons he would like his players to take away from Thursday night’s experience.”

“To not take things for granted,” he said. “To understand that you’re given a gift and you’re an able-bodied person. There’s kids out here trying to do what you do and they should be excited to come to the rink and they should never think to themselves ‘I don’t want to go to practice tonight or ‘What time is practice over?’ The moment they’re thinking that, they’re taking it for granted.

“I tell my boys all the time, your four years of high school go by so fast but to come out here tonight put it in the perspective of something that could be taken away from you or something your born with a vision or some other disability.”

• In addition to Central Bucks South and Pennridge, the teams that participated in the event included Haverford, Springfield Delco, Malvern Prep, Holy Ghost Prep, Father Judge, North Penn, and Penncrest.

Find out more about Philadelphia Blind Hockey

Pennridge 7 O.J. Roberts 0

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—It was a Flyers Cup Class AA semifinal. But Pennridge turned the occasion into just another night at the rink.

Shane Dachowski scored three goals and four other players added one goal each as the Rams routed Own J. Roberts 7-0 Monday night at Hatfield Ice. Second-seeded Pennridge (16-5) will face Pennsbury Tuesday evening at the same venue as it attempts to defend its Class AA Cup title. Judging from Monday’s effort, the Rams should feel comfortable in that setting; they dominated from start to finish against the sixth-seeded Wildcats, who closed their season at 17-6-0-1.

Dane Fitchett and Dachowski scored first-period goals 81 seconds apart, bearing Wildcat netminder Shane Towler.

Kevin Pico made it a 3-0 game 4:59 into the middle period. But the outcome was really settled later in the session when the Rams’ completely shut down the Owen J. Roberts power play and Andrew Savona and Dachowski delivered shorthanded goals

“We knew this team’s power play was lethal coming in,” said Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna. “But the way they run it is a 1-3-1, they basically have four guys below the dots. So, that’s go time for us. You get sticks on pucks and you’re going the other way.

“It’s the only way I know as a coach. If you have the bodies, and you have the skill to do it, just be relentless. Be relentless at all times.”

Pico talked about what it takes to play the up-tempo style his coach prefers.

“You get on teams early and they’re going to hesitate,” he said. “Push up, take opportunities, and look to capitalize on those.”

James Rush extended the Pennridge lead 91 seconds into the final period before Dachowski completed his hat trick at the 9:31 mark.

Pico says the experience the Rams took away from last year’s Flyers Cup run has been an asset this time around.

“I think the experience helps,” he said. “Everyone isn’t as nervous anymore because they’ve been there before.”

Meantime, at the other end of the ice, Jacob Winton was pitching a shutout in the Pennridge net. He finished the evening with 28 saves. The sophomore said he got a good look at everything thanks to the efforts of the defense in front of him.

“When shots are coming in from the outside, it’s a lot easier to see them then on a big scramble play up front with all the guys in one spot,” he said. “Keeping them outside really helps a lot.”

Winton says he’s more at ease on the ice than he was when the season began.

“I think as the season went on I got a little bit more comfortable,” he said. ‘When you’ve got a team like that in front of you, it makes it that much easier.”

O.J. Roberts 0 0 0—0

Pennridge 2 3 2—7

First-period goals: Dane Fitchett (P) from Andrew Lizak and Tyler Manto, 5:00; Shane Dachowski (P) unassisted, 6:21

Second-period goals: Kevin Pico (P) from Andrew Savona, 4:59; Savona (P) unassisted, 7:11 (sh); Shane Dachowski (P) from Colin Dachowski, 11:56 (sh)

Third-period goals: James Rush (P) from Lizak, 1:31; Shane Dachowski (P) from Pico, 9:31

Shots: O.J. Roberts O.J. Roberts 28, Pennridge 30; Saves: Shane Towler (OJR) 23, Jacob Winton (P) 28

Pennridge 6 C.B. East 4

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—It was not a good night to be a goaltender. Pennridge and Central Bucks East played 51 minutes of up-and-down hockey Thursday night in a game that a saw saw 83 shots, 10 goals, and two hat tricks before the Rams prevailed 6-4 in at Hatfield Ice.

The win solidified the bulk of the SHSHL National Division playoff bracket. Pennridge (13-4, 8-2 in the division) clinched the second seed and earned a bye into the semifinals.

The Patriots (8-8-1, 4-5-1) will be seeded sixth and will face third seed Pennsbury in a first-round game next Wednesday. Neshaminy and Central Bucks South will face each other in next Wednesday’s other first round game.

Pennridge’s Kevin Pico and C.B. East’s Corey Cosick led the way for their respective sides. Pico delivered three goals himself and assisted on a fourth, while Cosick tallied three goals of his own. Both players had plenty of open ice to work in, albeit at a moderate tempo; there was little physicality on display in part because many of the Rams and Patriots are club teammates.

“I think we’re better when teams don’t play physical,” Pico said. “(The Patriots) are our friends, so we’re not going to play as physical as usual and they’re not going to play as physical.”

Charlie Keiser and Pico traded goals in the first period. Cosick gave East a 2-1 lead 67 seconds into the second frame and shortly thereafter Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna used his timeout to deliver a motivational address.

“I didn’t like the way they were playing,” he said. “I thought we looked like a team that played the night before (a 9-1 win over Council Rock North) and like they have for a lot of games this year. They were just going through the motions in the first period.”

Then Rams responded. Pico and Andrew Savona scored goals two-and-a-half minutes apart to give the Rams a 3-2 lead. Cosick tied the game for the Patriots with 7:19 left in the period but James Embert and Pico scored goals 44 seconds apart to give the Rams a two-goal lead.

Cosick completed his hat trick with 1:37 left in the period but Pennridge’s Dane Fitchett scored the only goal of the third period. East’s chances were diminished when D.J. Brown was whistled for a check from behind with 7:20 left in the game.

East goaltender Matt Mangiacapre kept his team in the game, he was credited with 52 saves

“We came out strong and matched their tempo,” said East coach Jeff Mitchell., but we took a couple bad penalties in the third period. (Brown) is our top defenseman that was here tonight. It wasn’t intentional, it was just an ill-timed call and an ill-timed play.

“All in all I thought we played a great game. Our goaltender played on his head again.”

Pennridge 1 4 1—6

C.B. East 1 3 0—4

First-period goals: Charlie Keiser (CBE) from Drew Trask, 1:50; Kevin Pico (P) unassisted, 10:43

Second-period goals: Corey Cosick (CBE) from Keiser, 1:17; Pico (P) unassisted, 4:16; Andrew Savona (P) from Pico and Colin Dachowki, 6:51; Cosick (CBE) from Stephen DiRugeris, 9:41; James Embert (P)) from Colin Dachowski, 11:25; Pico (P) from Savona and Shane Dachowski, 12:19; Cosick (CBE) unassisted, 15:23

Third-period goals: Dane Fitchett (P) from Savona and Colin Dachowski, 1:59

Shots: Pennridge 58, C.B. East 25; Saves: Jacob Winston (P) 21 Matt Mangiacapre (CBE) 52

Holy Ghost Prep 7, Pennridge 3

Kieran Mulholland and Zach Pers each scored twice as Holy Ghost Prep built a 5-0 lead en route to a 7-3 win over Pennridge Wednesday night in a non-league game at Grundy Arena. Shaun Moore Brady Baehser and John Seravalli also scored for Holy Ghost Prep, which advanced to 9-2 on the season.

Kevin Pico, Andrew Savona, and Shane Dachowski scored for Pennridge (4-3).

Two goals from Pers and goals from Mulholland, Baehser, and Moore put the Firebirds up 5-0 seven minutes into the second period.

Pico and Savona scored for the Rams before the period ended and Dachowski’s goal made it a 5-3 game with 10:51 left in regulation, before Mulholland gave the Firebirds some insurance with 1:42 remaining. Seravalli added an empty-net goal with one minute left in regulation.

Six of the game’s 10 goals came on power plays. The game featured 16 penalties for 72 penalty minutes.

Pennridge 0 2 1—3

Holy Ghost Prep 4 1 2—7