La Salle 3 Malern Prep 0

Alistaire St. Hilaire, Charlie Kennedy, and Patrick Brace scored goals as La Salle bested Malvern Prep 3-0 Wednesday afternoon in an APAC matchup at Hatfield Ice.

The win was the sixth for the Explorers in conference play without defeat and assured them of the regular-season title and the top seed for the Founders Cup playoffs next month.

Alistaire St. Hilaire got things started for the Explorers (15-2 overall) when he beat Matt Crawford in the Malvern Prep net with 41 seconds left in the opening period with help from Dean Carvalho and Logan Dicus.

Charlie Kennedy made it a 2-0 game 7:16 into the second session with assists from Ryan Wiley and Thomas Doucet.

Wiley went on to assist Brace on the final goal of the afternoon which came with eight seconds left on regulation.

At the other end of the ice, Jake Rossi was impregnable; he turned aside 23 shots without a blemish.

The Explorers have allowed just five goals on six conference games,

Matt Crawford, his counterpart with the Friars (7-5, 2-3 in conference) was also stellar; he finished with 40 saves.

Malvern Prep 0 0 0—0

La Salle 1 1 1—3

First-period goal: Alistaire St. Hilaire (L) from Dean Carvalho and Logan Dicus, 16:19

Second-period goal: Charlie Kennedy (L) from Ryan Wiley and Thomas Doucet, 7:16 (pp)

Third-period goals: Patrick Brace (L) from Wiley, 16:52

Shots: La Salle 43, Malvern Prep 23; Saves: Matt Crawford (MP) 40, Jake Rossi (L) 23

APAC Update 12-26-23

W L OTW OTL Pts GF GA

La Salle (10-1) 4 0 0 0 12 16 3

Malvern Prep (6-4) 2 2 1 1 6 9 11

St. Joseph’s Prep (5-2) 2 2 1 0 5 14 11

Holy Ghost Prep (3-9) 1 2 0 0 3 5 7

Hun School (2-4) 0 3 0 1 1 4 16

Scoring (All Games) GP G A Pts. PPG

Jeremy Jacobs (MP) 10 13 12 25 2.50

Alistair St. Hilaire (L) 5 6 2 8 1.60

Dan Carvalho (L) 11 7 6 13 1.18

Caiden Canale (MP) 10 6 5 11 1.11

Tristan Winata (SJP) 7 6 1 7 1.00

Julian Tarsi (L) 11 2 8 10 0.90

Patrick Brace (L) 11 4 5 9 0.82

William Carpenter (L) 11 1 8 9 0.82

Aidan Kelly (L) 10 3 5 8 0.80

Anthony Prete (HGP) 12 5 3 8 0.75

Will Gregorio (L) 10 3 4 7 0.70

Declan Kelly (L) 10 1 6 7 0.70

Scoring (Conference Games) GP G A Pts. PPG

Dan Carvalho (L) 4 3 3 6 1.50

Jeremy Jacobs (MP) 4 2 4 6 1.50

Declan Kelly (L) 4 1 4 5 1.25

Tristan Winata (SJP) 4 5 0 5 1.25

Will Carpenter (L) 4 1 3 4 1.00

Will Gregorio (L) 4 1 3 4 1.00

Jake Schultz (SJP) 3 2 1 3 1.00

Justin Laplante (HS) 3 1 2 3 1.00

Ryan Levesque (HS) 3 1 2 3 1.00

Patrick Brace (L) 4 2 1 3 0.75

Julian Tarsi (L) 4 2 1 3 0.75

Aidan Kelly (MP) 4 2 1 3. 0.75

APAC Oveview for 12-12-23

W L OTW OTL Pts GF GA

La Salle (8-1) 4 0 0 0 12 16 3

St. Joseph’s Prep (4-1) 2 1 1 0 5 12 8

Malvern Prep (3-4) 1 2 0 1 4 6 9

Holy Ghost Prep (2-6) 0 2 0 0 0 2 5

Hun School (2-3) 0 2 0 0 0 2 13

teams receive three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime or shootout win, and one point for an overtime or shootout loss.

* Scoring GP G A Pts PPG

Dean Carvalho (Ls) 3 2 3 5 1.67

Will Gregorio (Ls) 3 1 3 4 1.33

Will Carpenter (Ls) 3 1 3 4 1.33

Jeremy Jacobs (MP) 3 1 3 4 1.33

Julian Tarsi (Ls) 3 2 1 3 1.00

Declan Kelly (Ls) 3 0 3 3 1.00

Robert McGinn (SJP) 2 1 1 2 1.00

Anthony Prete (HGP) 1 1 0 1 1.00

Mike Holt (HGP) 1 0 1 0 1.00

(scoring through 12-10)

St. Joseph’s Prep 4 Malvern Prep 3 SO

WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP—The evening offered a little bit of everything, including a dramatic conclusion to a first-rate hockey game.

Frankie Ely’s goal in the sixth round of a shootout was the margin of victory as St. Joseph’s Prep edged Malvern Prep 4-3 Wednesday night in an APAC matchup at Ice Line.

For the Hawks, who improved to 3-1 overall (1-1 in the APAC) it was another step in the maturation of a young hockey team. Ely was one of five freshmen who saw ice time for his team.

“The very first [APAC] game against La Salle opened my eyes a little bit,” said St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin. “These kids can get challenged a little bit and play well.

“We had a good game against Gonzaga and the kids really stepped up. I think they’re a bit more experienced, a little bit less nervous, when they’re out there playing against the bigger and older kids.”
Calum Hartnell gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead 11:24 into the opening period off a turnover at the Friars’ blue line. Tristan Winata made it a 2-0 game at the 13:20 mark when he beat Matt Crawford in goal on an effort from the left faceoff circle.

Winata, a junior, is impressed with the play of his younger teammates.

“They’re so much better than when I originally met them,” he said. “They’re playing great out there. A lot of speed, everyone is playing together.”

Winata noted the importance of the veterans on the roster setting the tone for the newcomers.

“I think as an older [member of the team] we have to show them all out plays,” he said, “playing together, those kinds of things. When I was a freshman I had a hard time getting used to it, so I want to be a leader for them.”

The Hawks had a chance to build on their lead at the start of the second game when they were awarded their third power play of the evening. The Friars ( 3-3, 1-2) were able to kill the penalty however and used that sequence as an impetus to get back in the game.

Caiden Canale tipped in Jeremy Jacob’s shot from the right point at the 1:55 mark while the teams were skating four on four. The Friars tied the game with 1.4 seconds left in the period when Gabriel Bedwell, with Jacobs’ help, beat Hawk netminder Jacob Aranda when he put his shot just under the crossbar.

The Friars took the lead on shorthanded goal with 6:31 left in regulation when Jacobs forced a turnover inside the Hawks’ blue line went on to beat Aranda from close range.

As the clock would down, Malvern Prep seemed to have the upper hand but Caiden Kelly scored for the Hawks via a deflection to send the two teams to overtime.

Cole Gargon started the shootout by scoring for the Hawks. James Young responded immediately for the Friars and the two goaltenders, who had performed with distinction for 56 minutes, were impenetrable until Ely’s game winner and Aranda’s game-ending save, when he denied Paxton Hoishik to send the Hawks home with a win.

Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan praised his team for rallying from a two-goal deficit.

“I told our guys it’s hard to come back from a 2-0 deficit,” he said. “The resilience of them to get the game back tied and get a shorthanded goal to go up 3-2 said a lot about our team, about the grit that we have.”

Ice chips—Wednesday’s game was a benefit for families with children afflicted with Rubenstein-Taybi Syndrome or RTS. The genetic disorder causes intellectual and developmental disabilities and impacts one in 125,000 children, among them Connor Keenan, Bill Keenan’s 3-year old son.

The two teams wore multicolored jerseys during the warmup in support of families impacted by RTS.

Connor Keenan (with glasses) standing with his mother Sarah and father Bill during Wednesday’s ceremonial faceoff. With them are Connor’s siblings J.J. and Olivia. (photo by Max Mangigian)

St. Joseph’s Prep 2 0 1 0 1—4

Malvern Prep 0 2 1 0 0—3

First-period goals: Calum Hartnell (SJP) unassisted. 11:24; Tristan Winata (SJP) from Bobby McGinn. 13:20

Second-period goals: Caiden Canale (MP) from Jeremy Jacobs, 1:55; Gabriel Bedwell (MP) from Jacobs, 16:58

Third-period goals: Jacobs (MP) unassisted, 10:29 (sh); Caden Kelly (SJP) unassisted, 15:57

Shootout goals: SJP: Cole Gargon, Frankie Ely; MP: James Young

Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 35, Malvern Prep 37; Saves: Jacob Aranda (SJP) 34; Matt Crawford (MP) 32

CLICK HERE for more about Malvern Prep

CLICK HERE for more about St. Joseph’s Prep

Malvern Prep, St. Joseph’s Prep to Meet in Benefit Game

For the second consecutive year, Malvern Prep and St. Joseph’s Prep will meet on the ice as part of an effort to raise awareness of Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome or RTS.

The Friars and the Hawks will square off in a regularly scheduled Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game this coming Thursday, November 30, at 6:30 at Ice Line.

Proceeds from the evening will be donated to several organizations who support individuals with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes intellectual and developmental disabilities and impacts one in 125,000 children.

Connor Keenan, the son of Malvern Pep coach Bill Keenan, is afflicted with RTS; he will celebrate his fourth birthday in January.

Thursday’s varsity game will be the main event of a tripleheader which will begin with a junior-varsity game at 3:30 followed by a middle-school game at 5:10.

The day’s events actually begin at 3:00 Thursday afternoon with a Dine and Donate event at Ice Line’s Goal Line Pub that will run until 9:00 that evening.
Keenan expressed his thanks to his colleagues at Malvern Prep and in the hockey community for their support.

“Spreading awareness of this rare syndrome is very important to us,” he said. “The Malvern community has been so amazing and supportive to helping us raise awareness.

“Last year was the first year we did this event and we are so happy to bring it back again this year. It is something we look forward to each and every year. Connor and our family are truly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people.”

Speaking at last year’s inaugural benefit event, Keenan’s wife Sarah cited the importance of raising awareness of RTS.

“It’s very rare,” she said. “So, it’s important just make people aware of it for inclusion purposes and to get that research really going to see if they can help kids with the syndrome out.”

Bill Keenen cited St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin for his support of the event.

“When I asked Coach Giacomin to be a part of this event last year, there was no hesitation and an immediate ‘Yes’ response,” he said. “St. Joe Prep, although rivals on the ice are great partners and show a great amount of sportsmanship by being involved.”

Malvern Prep 2 Holy Ghost Prep 1

BRISTOL—Malvern Prep and Holy Ghost Prep took their first steps into the sometimes-perilous waters of the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference Thursday afternoon. It was the Friars who found smooth sailing.

Brayden Baum and Aidan Kelly scored second-period goals to give their side a 2-1 win over the Firebirds at Grundy Arena. It was the Friars’ third win in four starts.

“We’ve got a lot of good kids on our team,” Kelly said. “Everyone’s really motivated after the year we had last year (10-8 and a loss in the opening round of the Founders Cup playoffs). The coaches are doing a great of getting us motivated.”

Kelly noted that he and his teammates, including the newcomers on hand, are adjusting to their roles in this year’s lineup.

“I think everyone is really excited with their new roles,” the senior said. “It comes with a little bit of nerves, a little bit of pressure, just playing for such a great team in such a great league.

“But I think the older guys, the more experienced guys, are doing a great of helping everyone fit their role and get used to playing at this level.”

Malvern Prep enjoyed a 14-5 shots advantage in the opening period but couldn’t solve Firebird netminder Jack Botthof and the first frame was scoreless.

Baum got the Friars on the scoreboard 12:17 into the middle period and Kelly made it a 2-0 game at 13:58.

Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan was pleased with the way his players moved the puck.

“The puck was moving at both ends,” he said. “Not a lot of sustained pressure but we settled down into our game. “We were able to be a little more poised with the puck and get pucks deep and sustain that pressure. I’m pretty happy with the result.”

Two goals down and perhaps a bit back on their heels, the Firebirds (0-2, 0-1 in the APAC) came out swarming at the start of the third period.

It took A.J. Prete just 19 seconds to score and make it a one-goal game. But Matt Crawford in the Malvern Prep net was perfect the rest of the way; the junior stopped 15 of the 16 shots he saw in the final period.

“Matt is pretty much anchor here for us,” Keenan said. “He played that well against Council Rock South (a game the Friars lost in overtime) and he [played] that way here today too. I think overall, he’s got a good future here, especially within the APAC. He did well today.”

For a young Holy Ghost Prep team, Wednesday’s game was another step in the building process.

“Better than Game One,” Firebird coach John Richie said of his team’s effort. “Not good enough though. “That second period, we kind of took a step backwards, then that third period was much stronger.

“But we’re a team that can’t have a lapse in judgment for 10 minutes of the second period.”

Malvern Prep 0 2 0—2

Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 1—1

Second-period goals: Brayden Baum (MP) from Gabriel Bedwell and Paxton Hoishik, 12:17; Aidan Kelly (MP) from Caiden Canale and Matt Crawford, 13:58

Third-period goal: A.J. Prete (HGP) from Mike Holt, :19

Shots: Malvern Prep 27, Holy Ghost Prep 29; Saves: Matt Crawford (MP) 28, Jack Botthof (HGP) 25

CLICK HERE to learn more about Malvern Prep

CLICK HERE to learn more about Holy Ghost Prep

Council Rock South 3 Malvern Prep 2 (OT)

Blaise Pepe’s goal with 1:27 left in overtime gave Council Rock South a 3-2 non-league win over host Malvern Prep Monday night at Ice Line.

Illia Mukhin and Chase Trovsky also scored for the Golden Hawks who have started the season with three consecutive wins, two of them over APAC opponents.

Tovsky’s shorthanded goal with 4:26 left in the second period tied the game after Brady Doyle scored a pair of goals two minutes apart to give the Friars (2-1) a 2-1 lead.

Trevor Rakszawski got the win in goal; he was credited with 54 saves. Matt Crawford was credited with 40 at the other end of the ice.

Council Rock South 1 1 0 1—3

Malvern Prep 0 2 0 0—2

First-period goal: Illia Mukhin (CRS) from Kevin Koles and Jake Weiner, 13:48

Second-period goals: Brady Doyle (MP) from Caiden Canale, 10:11; Brady Doyle (MP) from Jeremy Jacobs and Adan Kelly, 12:11 (pp); Chase Trovsky (CRS) unassisted, 12:34 (sh)

Overtime goal: Blaise Pepe (CRS) unassisted, 3:33

Shots: Council Rock South 56, Malvern Prep 43; Saves: Trevor Rakszawski (CRS) 54, Matt Crawford (MP) 40

APAC Previews 2023-24

The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is embarking on its sixth season. Here’s a look at what to expect.

Holy Ghost Prep

Coach: John Richie (first season)

Last year: 18-8, 4-2-1-1 in APAC

Key players: Jr. Jack Unger (G); Sr. Mike Holt (D); Jr. Ryan Lippy (D); Sr. A.J. Prete (F); St. Matt Cholaj (Sr.); Sr. Jake McCaw (F)

Outlook: Richie, who once played for the Firebirds, takes over for the retired Gump Whiteside.

This year’s team will be a young group that will be lacking much of last season’s offensive firepower.

“The strength of this year’s team will be the returning defensive corps,” Richie said, “who have all played varsity before. We have great depth within the program and expect a lot of players to get opportunities at the varsity level this upcoming season as players look to establish their role and solidify their spots come playoff time.”

Unger’s experience in goal will help.

Hun School

Coach: Eric Szeker (first season)

Last year: 11-13, 3-5 in APAC

Key Players: Sr. Julien Arseneault (G); Sr. Charles-Étienne Jetté (D); Sr. Ryan Levesque (F); Sr. Justin Laplante (F); Sr. Brendan Marino (F); Sr. Jack Neckritz (F)

Outlook: Szeker, a Hun School alum, takes over for Ian McNally after serving as his assistant. Ten seniors are gone from last year’s team but some impressive talent returns and Szeker is enthused about the newcomers who will be stepping into the varsity lineup.

“We will be looking to our sophomore class to make a big jump this season,” he said, “with plenty of holes to fill.”

Arsenault heads up the goaltending corps, while Levesque, Laplante and Marino will be counted on to provide the majority of the scoring punch.

La Salle

Coach: Wally Muehlbronner (26^th season)

Last year: 16-9-2, 6-2 in APAC; defending Founders Cup, and Class AAA Flyers Cup and state champions

Key players: Jr. Jake Rossi (G); Sr. Thomas Doucet (D); Sr. Charlie Budd (D); Jr. Cam Ross (D); Jr. Will Gregorio (D); Dean Carvalho (F); Sr. James Carpenter (F), Sr. Patrick Brace (F); Sr. Ryan Wiley (F); Sr. Charlie Kennedy (F); Sr. Liam Donahue (F)

Outlook: The Explorers come into the season off their 11^th Flyers Cup title and seventh state championship. They’ve also claimed three of the previous five Founders Cup titles and shared another.

This year’s roster features what Muehlbronner calls “A nice group of players,” one that is deep and offers scoring balance.

Rossi is being counted on in goal.

Malvern Prep

Coach: Bill Keenan (fifth season)
Last year: 10-8, 2-5-0-1 in APAC

Key players: Jr. Matt Crawford (G); Sr. Brady Doyle (D); Jr. Matt Barbacane (D); So. Cole Scrabinsky (D); Sr. Jeremy Jacobs (F); Sr. Caiden Canale (F); Sr. Aidan Kelly (F); Sr. Brayden Baum (F); Jr. Gabe Bedwell (F); Jr. Teague Murray (F); So. Pax Hoishik F

Outlook: The Friars struggled in the APAC last season but they return a core group of experienced upperclassmen, including Jacobs, who is the APAC’s top returning scorer.

The mix will also include a group of promising newcomers.

“We are excited to see what this younger incoming class can do,” Keenan said. “The seniors in this group are probably one of the best groups of seniors that has come through our program since we won back in 2021. The boys are just having fun and are ready to compete day in and day out. The energy and work this group is putting in is great to see.”

St. Joseph’s Prep

Coach: David Giacomin (11^th season)

Last year: 16-7-2, 3-4-1-0 in APAC

Key players: Jr. Jacob Aranda (G); Sr. John Lynch (D); Sr. Gareth McDonald (D); Sr. Shane O’Neil (D); Sr. Tyler Degirolamo (D); Sr. Brayden Collins (F); Jr. Tristan Winata (F); Jr. Jake Schultz (F); Jr. Caden Kelly (F)

Outlook: The Hawks lost 10 seniors off last year’s team, one that was a formidable group when all the pieces were in place, and claimed a title at the prestigious Purple Puck tournament.

The returning corps of veterans will be bolstered by some promising newcomers, including Aranda in goal.

“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.”

Hockey Happenings is looking for interested individuals to provide video clips of APAC conferences games. If you’re interested or would like further information contact us at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com

APAC Recap for 10-25-23

Malvern Prep 6 St. John’s College High 3

Jeremy Jacobs scored three goals and assisted on a fourth as Malvern Prep defeated St. John’s College High 6-3 Wednesday afternoon in a non-league game in Rockville, Md.

Caiden Canale, House Young and Henry Tesoriero scored one goal each as the Friars won their second straight.

Council Rock South 6, St. Joseph’s Prep 3

Council Rock South came out on top in Wednesday’s non-league game at the Class of 1923 Rink on the University of Pennsylvania campus.

Blind Hockey Event to Kick Off Scholastic Season

The Philadelphia Blind Hockey 3 on 3 Blind Awareness Tournament will serve as the unofficial curtain raiser for the scholastic hockey season. It will also exemplify the power of the game of hockey to give back to the communities it touches.

Nine high-school teams will converge at Hatfield Ice on Thursday night. North Penn will be one of them.

Kevin Vaitis, the Knights’ head coach, notes the positive impact hockey has on the community at large.

“We are always looking for ways that we as an organization can give back to the community,” he said. “We do volunteer work, organize a toy drive for those in our community, and help run learn-to -play programs for future ice hockey players at North Penn.

“When we were asked to participate in this event, this was a no-brainer. To give the players an opportunity to see what kind of impact they can make when we all come together for a common cause is truly an unforgettable moment that these kids will remember for a long time. We thank (Flyers Cup President Eric Tye) and the members of Blind Hockey Awareness for including us and we look forward to a great evening and raising a lot of money for a wonderful cause.”

Holy Ghost Prep will also field a team in the tournament. Senior forward Mike Holt, the Firebirds’ captain feels it’s important that he be in the lineup.

“As a captain, I feel like there was definitely a need to step up and let our guys know what we’re all about at Ghost,” he said. “Although a big part of what we do is trying to win and things like that, another big part of it is giving back to the community and I feel like I needed to set that example for my teammates.

“I feel like it’s going to be a great opportunity not just to show my teammates but to show everybody in the awareness that needs to be set for blind hockey.”

Holt, as well as the other players who will skate in the tournament, had a chance to try on the reduced-vision goggles the players will wear on the ice.

“It was definitely a unique experience,” Holt said, “but I think one of the things we took away from it was really realizing what these guys and girls playing blind hockey, or with any kind of disability, go through, not just in hockey but in everyday life, every single day.

“I think it’s important that we raise awareness and we kind of feel what they have to go through. I think it’s really important that we were able to get that experience and so having had that experience we are definitely pumped up to raise awareness and to participate.”

North Penn captain Joey Silvotti, a senior forward, has also tried on the goggles.

“It was challenging,” he said. “When I put the goggles on, I started to think how hard it must be for these players who go through this every day. It made me look forward to being able to participate in the fundraiser event. Myself along with my team and the other teams that night, we want to do everything we can to make it a great night for all those players that are a part of the Blind Hockey Awareness program.”

Besides North Penn and Holy Ghost Prep, the tournament will also include Pennridge, Central Bucks South, Haverford, Malvern Prep, Springfield-Delco, Father Judge, and Penncrest.

Player introductions begin at 6:00 and the first games will kick off at 6:25.