Tag: Malvern Prep

HGP-Malvern Prep Matchup About Much More Than Hockey

Thursday’s Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference matchup between Malvern Prep and Holy Ghost Prep will be about much more than what happens on the ice.

For the third year in succession, the hockey community is coming together for RTS Awareness Night and highlight the fight against Rubnenstein Taybi Syndrome, a genetic disorder. Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan and his wife Sarah joined the fight when they learned their son Connor, who will turn 5 in January, was afflicted with RTS.

Connor is the youngest of the Keenans’ three children. His brother JJ is 10, his sister Olivia is 8.

Proceeds  from Thursday’s game (6:45 puck drop at Ice Line) will go to support the families of children dealing with the disorder.

“This is our third annual RTS Awareness Night,” Keenan said. “It’s a great night to come together as a community and raise awareness not only for RTS but those affected with rare diseases.

“Sometimes life is bigger then sports or a hockey game. We are grateful for the community that surrounds us and the support they provide to Connor and our family.”

“We look forward to continuing this event for many years to come. The past two years we played against St. Joseph’s Prep and this year Coach Ritchie without hesitation willingly said Holy Ghost would participate. It is a great sign of strength in why we play in this league because again it’s more than just a game.”

La Salle 3 Malvern Prep 2

Jacob Warner’s goal with 8:28 left in regulation proved decisive as La Salle topped Malvern Prep 3-2 Wednesday night in an APAC game at Ice Line.

Grant LaGreca and Nole Donohue also scored goals for the Explorers who improved to 2-1 in conference play and 3-1 overall.

LaGreca’s goal gave La Salle a 1-0 lead with eight seconds remaining in the opening period. Henry Tesoriero tied the game for the Friars (2-2, 1-1 in conference) with 3:40 remaining in the middle period.

Donohue’s goal came with 13:20 left in regulation time off a feed from Declan Kelly and gave the Explorers the lead for good. Warner’s goal extended his team’s lead but Teague Murray scored a power play goal with 6:04 remaining while Alistair St. Hilaire was in the box serving a roughing minor.

From that point on, La Salle goaltender Jake Rossi was resolute in goal despite being under pressure; he made 19 saves in the third period.

 La Salle 1 0 2—3

Malvern Prep 0 1 1—2

First-period goal: Grant LaGreca (L) unassisted, 16:52

Second-period goal: Henry Tesoriero (MP) from Gabe Bedwell and Logan Love, 13:20

Third-period goals: Nole Donohue (L) from Declan Kelly, 3:49; Jacob Warner (L) from Michael Zarzycki, 8:32; Teague Murray (MP) from Cole Scrabinsky, 10:56 (pp)

Shots: La Salle 31, Malvern Prep 40; Saves: Jake Rossi (L) 38, Matt Crawford (MP) 28

Malvern Prep 4 Holy Ghost Prep 2

BRISTOL—There wasn’t a lot of slash and sizzle to what Malvern Prep was doing on Tuesday afternoon. But hockey games are not decided on style points.

Two third-period power-play goals in a span of 71 seconds allowed the Friars to overcome a 1-0 deficit and they went on from there to defeat Holy Ghost Prep 4-2 in an APAC game at Grundy Arena.

Teague Murray scored two goals and assisted on a third as Malvern Prep (2-1 overall) opened conference play with a win.

The host Firebirds (2-1, 1-1 in the APAC) took a 1-0 lead on Logan Barnes’ goal 1:37 into the second period on a play that started off a scramble for a loose puck the neutral one. Murray set up House Young for the game-tying goal which came with 3:58 remaining in the period and erased the deficit.

“I think that’s kind of our identity this year,” Murray said. “We went down, we’ve been down early in every game we’ve played but we keep battling. That’s just kind of our identity.”

The Firebirds were undone by self-inflicted wounds. With 33 seconds left in the second frame Brady Logue was flagged for interference, giving Malvern Prep a split power play.

Murray gave his team the lead 52 seconds into the third period when he topped home Matt Barbacane’s shot from the left point.

Just 19 seconds later Malvern Prep was awarded another power play when Holy Ghost Prep’s Anthony Valeriote was whistled for interference. Pax Hoishik delivered a power play goal just 52 seconds after that to give the Friars a two-goal lead.

Brian Kinniry gave the Firebirds a last-gasp opportunity when he beat Matt Crawford in the Malvern Prep net with 53 seconds to go but it took just 15 additional seconds for Murray to respond.

Afterward, he spoke of the importance of shepherding his younger teammates through the rigors what for some was their first APAC game.

“It’s super important,” the senior said. “They’ve got to know there’s not going to be any flashy goals when you’re playing good teams like Ghost and La Salle. You’ve got to get gritty goals.

Murray notes that Malvern Prep’s power play has improved since the season kicked off.

“The first two games were a little rusty,” he said, “but now we’re starting to pick it up and we were really clicking this game.”

Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan cited his team’s blur-collar approach.

“We had a lot of grit that game,” he said. “The first period was completely back and forth, up and down the ice, got some shots on net, got some power plays late in the second and early in the third and we capitalized on them.

“Right now, we’re feeling good with where we’re at.”

• Crawford finished with 22 saves. Matt Salita made 17 saves for Holy Ghost. Salita is the third goaltender the Firebirds have started in three game. each has played one full game.

Malvern Prep 0 1 3—4

Holy Ghost Prep 0 1 1—2

Second-period goals: Logan Barnes (HGP) from Colin Bara, 1:37; House Young (MP) from Teague Murray, 13:02

Third-period goals: Murray (MP) from Matt Barbacane and Cole Scarbinsky, :52 (pp); Pax Hoishik (MP) unassisted, 2:03 (pp); Brian Kinniry (HGP)) from Bara, 16:07; Murray (MP) unassisted, 16:32

Shots: Malvern Prep 21, Holy Ghost Prep 23; saves: Matt Crawford (MP) 22, Matt Salita (HGP) 17

APAC Preview 2024-25

The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is launching its seventh season. Here’s a look at what to expect from the five conference schools in the 2024-25 campaign.

La Salle

Coach: Wally Muehlbronner (27th season)

Last year: 23-4, 8-0 in APAC; defending Founders Cup and Class AAA Flyers Cup champions

Key players: Sr. Jake Rossi (G); Sr. Cam Ross (D); Sr. Will Gregorio (D); Sr. Declan Kelly (D); Sr. Julian Tarsi (F); Sr. Grant LaGreca (F); Sr. Michael Zarzycki (F); So. Alistair St. Hilaire (F)

Outlook: The Explorers lost 12 seniors from last year’s Founders Cup and Flyers Cup champions but a solid nucleus returns. The defense corps is solid while Tarsi, LaGreca, Zarzycki, and St. Hilaire provide scoring balance. Rossi is a quality goaltender.

Holy Ghost Prep

Coach: John Ritchie (second season)

Last year: 12-14, 3-5 in APAC (0-1 in OT)

Key players: Sr. Ryan Lippy (D); Sr. Joe Kaufmann (D); So. Nate Romer (D); Jr. Chris Marshall (D-F); Sr. Colin Bara (F); Sr. Joe Spadaccino (F); Sr. Brian Kinniry (F); Jr. Anthony Valeriote (F); Jr. Jack Gavaghan (F); Jr. Lucas Gonzalez (F); Jr. Brady Logue (F); So. Chase Logue (F)

Outlook: The Firebirds struggled the first part of last season but were much improved after New Year’s.

“We were better the second half of the season,” Ritchie said, “which should help moving forward. The roster has a good core group of older experienced players, coupled with some talented newcomers.” 

Spadaccino, Kinniry, and Bara will provide veteran experience up front while Lippy and Kauffmann will do the same in the back. The roster also includes three experienced goaltenders.

Hun School

Coach: Eric Szeker (second season)

Last year: 5-12, 1-7 in APAC (1-1 in OT)

Key players: Sr. Patrick Donoghue (G); Sr. Elliot Wong (G); Sr. Jr. Chase Preston (D; Jr. Andrew Darst (D); Sr. Luke Rassier (F); Jr. Jake Beck (F); Jr. Luca Jean (F); So. Justin Bibeau (F); Jr. Nate Trawinski (F); Jr. Jacob Kelly-Lepage (F); Jr. Anders Van Raalte (F); Sr Jake O’Connell (F)

Outlook: The Raiders will put a much deeper team on ice this season than they did a year ago. Ten seniors graduated but a talented junior class returns. Donoghue and O’Connell will be relied on for leadership in the locker room and on the ice. Szeker is looking scoring balance.

“Scoring will come from many players,” he said, “but Jake Beck, who had a strong sophomore season, will be counted on for production.”

Donoghue and Wong provide experience in goal.

Malvern Prep

Coach: Bill Keenan (sixth season)

Last year: 11-9, 4-4 in APAC (2-2 in OT); Class AAA Flyers Cup finalist

Key players: Sr. Matt Crawford (G); Sr. Matt Barbacane (D); Jr. Cole Scarbinsky (D); Sr. Gabe Bedwell (F); Sr. Teague Murray (F); Jr. Pax Hoishik (F); Jr. Henry Tesoriero (F); So. House Young (F)

Outlook: The Friars look to bounce back from a tough loss in the Flyers Cup finals. The team by a core group of seniors and upperclassmen with additions of talented underclassmen.

“This year is about resetting our mindset, getting back to the basics and finding our grit,” Keenan said. “This is one of the toughest schedules Malvern Prep will play in a few years so we are looking forward to a fun, competitive season.”

St. Joseph’s Prep

Coach:  David Giacomin (12th season)

Last year: 16-7 4-4 in APAC (1-0 in OT): Founders Cup finalist

Key players: So. Declan Geary (G); Jr. Michael Garr (G); Jr. Bruno Mainardi (G); Sr. Caden Kelly (D); Jr. Patrick Sweeney (D); Jr. Ben Kerson Jr. Adam Charaffi (D); Sr. Tristan Winata (F); Sr. Carter Short (F); Jr. Noah Stuhl (F); Jr. Tommy Ely (F); Jr. Michael Castelli (F);  So. Frankie Ely (F); and So. Cole Gargon (F)

Outlook: Team speed combined with veteran experience on the blue line will be recipe for success for the Hawks this season.
“We hope to be a speed driven team that will play hard in all three zones,” Giacomin said. “Depth will play a big role this year. With offensive returnees and the defense leading the way we hope to get off to a fast start and build from there.”

Malvern Prep 4 Calvert Hall 0

Four different players scored goals as Malvern Prep opened its season Monday afternoon with a 4-0 win at Calvert Hall.

Alex March opened the scoring with 8:07 left in the first period. He assisted on Cole Scarbinsky’s effort 3:42 into the second frame. Quinn Riley added a goal later in the second period and Andrew Starck extended his team’s lead in the third.

Matt Crawford and Riley Doyle split the shutout in goal.

Jim Britt Steps down a APAC Commissioner

After guiding the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference through the first six years of its existence, Jim Britt is stepping away from his commissioner’s post. The conference issued a statement Monday afternoon.

Jim Britt has notified the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference (APAC) schools that he is stepping back from his role as Commissioner.  Jim will assist during the transition and will remain affiliated with the conference in the future as an advisor.  APAC schools are grateful for the leadership that Jim has provided the conference since its inception in 2018.  Jim’s understanding of the conference schools, his belief in scholastic hockey and all the great things that the game of hockey teaches, made him the right man to help build APAC.

At the APAC May meeting, conference schools appointed Steve Mackell as their new Commissioner.  Steve is a longtime coach in the Atlantic District at the youth level and as a former head coach at Malvern Prep.  For many years, Steve has also been heavily involved with the Atlantic District Player Development Program Staff.  He is a proven leader who knows the conference schools, the value they place on providing a well-rounded education, and their commitment to the sport of ice hockey.  APAC school administrators and coaches are excited to work with Steve in the years ahead.

Jeremy Jacobs Taking the Next Step in His Hockey Career

Jeremy Jacobs taken another step in his development as a hockey player. Jacobs who will soon graduate from Malvern Prep, recently played five games for the Odessa (Texas) Jackalopes in the North American Hockey League.

Jacobs spoke to how it all came about.

“They came to one of my games,” he said. “They watched me for two months or so and ended up talking to me.

“I went down and was able to get in a game with them. And from then on, I was like ‘This is where I want to be.’ I ended up signing with them.”

Jacobs’ five-game stint with the Jackalopes included his first NAHL goal on April 4 against Corpus Christi. He was used at center and also spent a brief amount of time killing penalties.

But a lot of this postgraduate course in his hockey education was spent in practice, as a member of Odesa’s extended roster.

“I was there for two weeks and able to practice for those two weeks” he said, “and embrace the full two weeks rather than being in and out for a week.”

Jacobs’ time in Odessa gave him new insights into the game.

“You just pick up on the little details, he said, “and just how they go about things differently, how they see the game differently, and how it’s just at a faster level. It just helps you elevate your game and play better. It’s a faster speed.

“The guys were accepting and really, really helped me out. Being sent there helped me grow and be a better hockey player.”

It took some time but Jacobs adapted to the NAHL’s pace.

“Once you go there the first few minutes of practice are definitely a little shocking,” he said, “but after that you just pick right up where you left off.

“It’s not too bad, at least I thought. I thought the speed was pretty good, and I like playing at that speed.

“It’s definitely a great group around to help you elevate your game.”

Virtually everyone in the Tier II NAHL has aspirations of playing at a higher level of junior hockey and/or in college, and Jacobs, who has signed a tender to play in Odessa next season, is no exception.

But he will take his memories of his time at Malvern Prep with him. Jacobs finished his final high-school season with 18 goals and 19 assists for 37 points, including a goal and four assists in three Class AAA Flyers Cup games.  He played on Flyers Cup championship teams his first two high-school seasons and on a state-championship team as a freshman. This year’s edition of the Friars, with Jacobs as their captain, reached the Flyers Cup finals before falling to La Salle.

“Winning that state championship is something I’ll remember forever,” Jacobs said, “and going back to back in the Flyers Cup.

“That (2022 team) was a special team and having a bigger role on that team as opposed to being a freshman, that was huge, being a bigger part. I thought I had a pretty solid part in my freshman year but I’ll definitely take away those first two years because we came out on top.”

As a captain, Jacobs embraced the role of mentor to his teammates.

 “I enjoyed that,” he said, “being able to teach the younger guys what I was taught when I was younger.”

Some of Jacobs’ fondest memories of Malvern Prep were made off the ice.

“I’m going to take away the friendships and relationships I made with everyone,” he said. “Winning is great and all but the relationships are what I’m going to take away the most, just because it was a great experience all my four years.”

Jeremy Jacobs

Flyers Cup Class AAA/AA Finals Preview

Wednesday, March 20

Class AAA Final

  1. La Salle vs. 2. Malvern Prep

 6:00 at Hatfield Ice

La Salle (22-3)—The defending champion Explorers are trying for their 13th Flyers Cup title, an achievement that would expand on their all-time record of 12 , the most of any school in any classification.

Head coach Wally Muehlbronner has been on the winning side in a final on 10 occasions.

This year’s team bested Perkiomen Valley 5-1 and Holy Ghost Prep 5-2 to reach the finals.

Seven different players have scored goals in the two Flyers Cup games. Grant Lagreca has two goals and two assists. Dean Carvalho has scored three goals while James Carpenter has provided two goal and an assist.

Malvern Prep (11-8)

The Friars have claimed 10 Flyers Cup titles, second only to La Salle on the all-time list. Victories over Devon Prep 8-0 and St. Joseph’s Prep 3-1 put them in the finals.
Ten different Malvern Prep players have scored goals in the tournament. Jeremy Jacobs leads the way with a goal and three assists. Aidan Kelly has added a goal and two assists.

This marks the third meeting of the season between the two teams. La Salle won the two regular-season meetings.

11-22 La Salle 4 Malvern Prep 1

1-17 La Salle 3 Malvern Prep 0

Class AA Final

  1. Pennridge vs. 2 Council Rock South

8:45 at Hatfield Ice

Pennridge 21-2-2

The top-seeded Rams claimed the Class AA Flyers Cup and state titles in 2022 and reached the Cup finals last season.

This year’s team reached the finals with wins over Bensalem 10-2, Downingtown East 5-1 and Downingtown West 10-1

The Rams feature one of the most explosive lines that has ever skated for any area high-school team. Shane Dachowski has six goals and five assists for 11 points in three Cup games. Kevin Pico has five goals and five assists for 10 points, while Andrew Savona has provided four goals and four assists for eight points.

Council Rock South 24-1

The second-seeded Golden Hawks are seeking their fourth Flyers Cup. The previous three came in 2009, ’11, and ’12.

This year’s squad reached the finals with wins over Spring-Ford 12-0, Cherokee 7-1, and Boyertown 3-1. Kevin Koles is the team’s top tournament scorer with three goal and nine assists for 12 points. Blaise Pepe has accumulated three goal and five assists for eight points, while Jake Weiner has provided five goals and two assists for seven points.

This marks the fourth time the Ram and Golden Hawks have faced one another this season.

12-13 Pennridge 7 Council Rock South 3

2-7    Council Rock South 8 Pennridge 7

2-29 Council Rock South 7 Pennridge 2*

*For the SHSHL National Division championship

Flyers Cup Schedule Thursday 3-14

Thursday, March 14

Class AAA Semifinals

La Salle 5 Holy Ghost Prep 2

 Malvern Prep 3 St. Joseph’s Prep 1—Teague Murray and James Young scored first-period goals and the second-seeded Friars went on to beat the third-seeded Hawks Thursday night in a Class AAA Flyers Cup semifinal at Ice Line.

Henry Tesoriero also scored for Malvern Prep (11-8) which will meet La Salle in the final.

Tristan Winata scored for St. Joseph’ Prep (16-7)

St. Joseph’s Prep 0 0 1—1

Malvern Prep 2 0 1—3

First-period goals: Teague Murray (MP) from Jeremy Jacobs and Jonathan Holt, 12:11 (pp); James Young (MP) from Logan Love, 13:47

Third-period goals: Henry Tesoriero (MP) unassisted, 15:25 (en); Tristan Winata (SJP) unassisted. 16:09

Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 36, Malvern Prep 35; Saves: Jacob Aranda (SJP) 32; Matt Crawford (MP) 35

Class AA Semifinals

Penneidge 10, Downingtown West 1—

The top-seeded Rams scored six goals in the first period and rolled to the win over the fourth-seeded Whippets in a Class AA semifinal Thursday night at Hatfield Ice.

Shane Dachowswki scored four goals for Pennridge (21-2-2) and added an assist. Nolan Shaw provided two goals. Kevin Pico, Josh Kelly, Tyler Manto, and Andrew Savona all scored goals.

Joseph Butter scored for Downingtown West (18-5)

Downingtown West 0 1 0

Pennridge 6 2 2

Council Rock South 3 Boyertown 1

Championship games will be played Tuesday, and Wednesday, March 19, and 20.