Pennridge 5 Neshaminy 3

BRISTOL— The atmosphere inside Grundy Arena was crackling with energy Wednesday night. Pennridge and Neshaminy were both looking to make a statement.

The Rams did just that, overcoming a two-goal first-period deficit before dominating the last two periods en route to a 5-3 win.

The result will not factor into the SHSHL National Division standings but will doubtless attract the attention of the Flyers Cup Committee when the next set of rankings is unveiled.

Josh Kelly and Shane Dachowski each scored twice for

Pennridge, the defending Class AA Flyers Cup and state champion. The Rams improved to 6-3 overall.

Kelly said he and his teammates refocused after falling behind early.

“We kind of realized we needed to start going,” the sophomore said. “We needed to put something in the back of the net. We kind of realized who we are. We came out slow and ended the game how we wanted to.”

The ’Skins (6-3) killed off two early penalties before taking a 1-0 lead 6:12 into the opening period. Noah Seewagen scored the power-play goal while the Rams’ Colin Dachowski was serving a tripping minor.

Max Gallagher made it 2-0 with a shorthanded goal at the 11:06 mark off a rush down the right wing that finished with a slapshot along the ice that beat Pennridge goaltender Jacob Gilbert through the five hole.

That goal turned out to be the high point of the evening from Neshaminy’s point of view.

Tyler Manto got the Rams on the scoreboard 1:28 into the second frame on a shot that caromed of the stick of Neshaminy goaltender Cory Hemberger. Kelly the game when he scored on a rebound with 2:41 left in the period to send the teams into the third frame all even.

Shane Dachowski put Pennridge in front for good 2:49 into the final period when he converted a feed from Kevin Pico who set up the goal with a dash down the left wing.

Pico and Neshaminy’s Nolan Geria got some extended time in the penalty box after the two got into a skirmish with 13:48 remaining in regulation. Both drew minor penalties for head contact and automatic 10-minute misconducts but the incident had little bearing on the final result.

Kelly scored his second goal of the night with 9:23 remaining to give Pennridge a two-goal advantage. J.J. Hathaway scored during a Neshaminy power play wirg the Neshaminy net empty with 1:19 remaining but Shane Dachowski’s empty-net goal with 11.4 seconds left settled matters.

Pennridge’s dominance over the final two periods showed up on the scoresheet. After being outshot 12-7 in the first period the Rams outshot the ‘Skins 31-10 over the last two for a final margin of 38-22.

Rams coach Jeff Montagna cited his team’s comeback after a difficult beginning.

“It was a terrible start,” he said. “It was a terrible first period, which has been a strength for us. But, like they’ve done all year, they came back and they played a fabulous two periods.

“But, I told them, we’ve got to figure out these slow starts.”

The ‘Skins spent an inordinate amount of time skating shorthanded; they were whistled for 11 penalties (the Rams were flagged for eight). But Coach Matt DeMatteo was quick to point out his team came up short in other areas.

“Penalties were part of it,” he said, “(but) we had a really good first period, and stuck to the game plan, but we came out in the second period and they brought up the intensity and we did not.

“That was the difference in the game. They came out with urgency, we didn’t match it. they took the momentum of the game over.”

Pennridge 0 2 3—5

Neshaminy 2 0 1—3

First-period goals: Noah Seewagen (N) from Michael Knipple, 6:12 (pp); Max Gallagher (N) unassisted, 11:06 (sh)

Second-period goals: Tyler Manto (P) unassisted, 1:28; Josh Kelly (P) from Colin Dachowski and Nate McKean, 14:19

Third-period goals: Shane Dachowski (P) from Kevin Pico and Andrew Savona, 2:49; Kelly (P) from McKean, 7:37 J.J. Hathaway (N from Gallagher, 15:41 (pp); Pico (P) unassisted, 16:49 (en)

Shots: Pennridge 38, Neshaminy 22; Saves: Jacob Gilbert (P) 20, Cory Hemberger (N) 33

World Junior Tournament Offers Learning Opportunities for High School Players

The ongoing IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, which features players age 20 and younger, offer an opportunity for hockey fans to watch future NHL player in action.

For high-school players, the tournament offers insights into what it takes to play the game at an elite level.

Neshaminy coach Matt DeMatteo looks at the tournament as a learning experience for his players.

“The kids playing are only a few years removed from where our high school players are at this moment in their lives,” he said. “They are really still maturing and learning and making some of the same mistakes our guys do. It’s good for them to see that in such a high-level tournament.

“This (tournament) is more relatable because of the age of the players and where they are in life. They’re not millionaires (yet) and are working hard to be able to play at the next level. There is still an urgency in their game.”

St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin encourages his athletes to observe the players competing in the Junior World and incorporate aspects of their games into their own; specifically a strong worth ethic.

“I think when watching elite-caliber players you try to find something in a player you like and try to emulate it into your game,” he said. “Playing at that speed and performing like they do takes a lot of practice and hard work.”

DeMatteo notes the significance of a work ethic and cohesiveness at the pinnacle of junior hockey.

“I loved seeing the Czechs upset Canada (5-2 on December 26),” he said. “Talent alone will not guarantee a win. (Canadian coach) Dylan Guenther’s quote after the game was spot on and something we try to preach to our players; “We’re trying to skill our way through it, we’re trying to toe-drag, beat guys one-on-one. To win, you have to play the right way, play together and play as a team. It starts with the simple side of the game. Winning battles.” To me, that statement sums it all up.”

In addition to being the head coach at Central Bucks West, Dave Baun has been USA Hockey coaching instructor for almost two decades. He’s been following the World Junior tournament and tweeting insights to his own players.

“Probably the most important on-ice point is the need for players to follow their shots to the net and establish net presence,” he said. “This is something that Coach (Rand) Pecknold mentioned in his talk-up but a skill so many of our American players don’t learn in youth hockey. Our players all want to be perimeter players and going to the net is not part of their game habits.”

Another topic Baun addressed was game tempo and, along with it, players’ proficiency at changing lines on the fly.

“Everyone wants to play fast,” he said. “Coach Pecknold encouraged his team to play fast. But, playing fast isn’t just a function of just having fast skaters. It’s a combination of playing well without the puck and making and receiving passes. A bobbled pass that bounces three feet away from a player in the WJC is a turnover, it’s probably two feet in the NHL.

“When I poll our Atlantic District coaches on whether they work on line changes in practice, one or two Tier I coaches out of 80 may raise their hands. The vast majority just aren’t working on line changes here in practices at all. Knowing to dump the puck bench side, have F1 angle while D, then Forwards, change behind is a skill that we all need to work on. Pro teams do this in practice. Effective changes help you gain tempo. When you can only change at the whistle, the refs are setting our Team’s tempo, not us. Teams that can change effectively can play faster. This is true of the USA WJC team, NHL teams, and our SHSHL teams.”

Council Rock South 4 Neshaminy 1

BRISTOL— A month into the Suburban High School Hockey League season, a lot of knowledgeable observers are looking at Council Rock South as the team to beat.

Nothing the Golden Hawks did Wednesday night would discourage that sentiment.

Jake Weiner scored two goals and Sam Reiter and Chase Tovsky added one goal each as South remained unbeaten with a 4-1 decision over Neshaminy at Grundy Arena.

The win was the fifth without defeat for the Golden Hawks, who were runners up in the SHSHL’s National Division and the Class AA Flyers Cup tournament last season.

The loss was the first for Neshaminy after three season-opening wins.

The Golden Hawks didn’t create any highlight videos Wednesday night but they moved the puck effectively and did all the little things well.

“Little things make a difference in whether you win or lose,” said South coach Joe Houk. “I thought our backcheck was pretty good tonight. I thought (goaltender Carson Lopez) was rock solid.”

Lopez, whose GAA now stands at 1.29 points out that hockey games are not decided by style points.

“A goal is a goal, a save is a save,” he said. “I think our goal this season is to score three and let me do the rest.”

The Hawks won a battle for a loose puck in their offensive left-wing corner set up the first goal of the evening. It came off Weiner’s stick with 8:34 left in the opening period.

Reiter made it 2-0 1:37 into the second frame off a feed from Evan Mostoller who was set up in the high slot at the time.

Nolan Geria answered for Neshaminy at the 5:45 mark and with Cory Hemberger matching Lopez with his effort in the ‘Skins net, the game was still very much for grabs.

Tovsky’s goal, which came with 3:35 left in the second period, gave the Golden Hawks some breathing room.

“The third goal was a big one before the end of the second period,” Houk said.

The Golden Hawks went on to dominate the period. The period featured just one goal, from Weiner with 3:35 left in the game, but South outshot Neshaminy 16-3 in the final period.

With four varsity players missing because of injuries and illness, the ‘Skins simply ran out of gas.

“They’re a very good team,” Neshaminy coach Matt DeMatteo said of the Hawks. “There were some things we could have done better. I thought our transition game wasn’t great and I thought our defensive zone was a little shaky. But, tired legs hurt you in the end.”

Ice chips—While Wednesday’s result won’t factor into the SHSHL National Division standings since the teams will play again in February, it will be part of Flyers Cup seedings calculations at year’s end.

Neshaminy 0 1 0—1

C.R. South 1 2 1—4

First-period goal: Jake Weiner (CRS) from Jeremy Rayher and Illia Mukhin, 8:26

Second-period goals: Sam Reiter (CRS) from Evan Mostoller and Blaize Pepe, 1:37; Nolan Geria (N) from David McColligan and Michael Rago, 5:45; Chase Tovsky (CRS) from Bobby Gilbert, 13:25

Third-period goal: Weiner (CRS) unassisted, 4:28

Shots: Neshaminy 26, Council Rock South 39; Saves: Cory Hemberger (N) 35, Carson Lopez (CRS) 25

Pennridge 6 Neshaminy 1

HATFIELD—It was business as usual for Pennridge Wednesday night. The Rams scored three times in the first period and rolled to a 6-1 win over Neshaminy in a SHSHL Class AA matchup at Hatfield Ice.

Pennridge remains perfect with a 14-0 overall record (9-0 in divisional play) heading into its regular-season finale with Council Rock South next Wednesday. It’s last lost came to Haverford in the Flyers Cup semifinals last April.

The game was essentially decided in the first 13:55 of the opening period. Pierce McGinley, Andrew Savong, and Tyler Manto scored goals in that stretch, and Rams were never threatened thereafter.

“We got off to a rough start,” said Neshaminy coach Matt DeMatteo. “The one rebound came right out to (McGinley) who buried it. Then we had (a tip-in) and then we had the second or third goal the guy dangled through us and nobody stepped up to play physical. So, I feel like we kind of put ourselves in that hole. It’s tough to battle back against a really good team like that.”

Max Gallagher scored a power-play goal for Neshaminy (9-3-1, 5-4 in the division) 9:49 into the second period but Kevin Pico and Aeryk Lehrhaupt responded for the Rams (Lehrhaupt’s goal came while his team was shorthanded) before Shane Dachowski added a goal in the third period.

The final margin would doubtless have been wider had it not been for the work of Brian Nelson in the Neshaminy net. Nelson was credited with 46 saves while his Pennridge counterpart Ryan Pico was given credit for 41.

Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna said his team got a big boost from its quick start. “Especially after our last game (a 5-3 win over Central Bucks South) where we didn’t,” he said. “We talked about it. I thought it was our best first period of the year. I thought we started the game better than we have all year and it set the tone for the rest of the night.”

After next week, the Rams will cross the threshold into the postseason. Expectations are high in light of last year’s Flyers Cup effort. So, in a very real sense, Wednesday night’s first period was about setting the tone for something beyond a regular-season game in February.

Neshaminy’s. A.J. Dougherty was injured in the second period when Pennridge’s Andrew David delivered a shoulder check while Dougherty was standing with his back to the boards in the Pennridge offensive left wing corner. No penalty was called on the play. Dougherty was helped off the ice. According to DeMatteo, he will enter concussion protocol.

•The regular season will conclude next week. The SHSHL playoffs will commence on February 23 and 24 so the results of the Class AA quarterfinals will factor into the Flyers Cup seedings.

Neshaminy 0 1 0

Pennridge 3 2 1—6

First-period goals: Pierce McGinley (P) from Josh Kelly, 2:59; Andrew Savong (P) unassisted, 9:09; Tyler Manto (P) from Ryan Schuler, 13:55

Second-period goals: Max Gallagher (N) from Dan McColgan and J.J. Hathaway, 9:49 (pp); Kevin Pico, from Manto and Boyle, 13:44; Aeryk Lehrhaupt (P) unassisted, 15:51 (sh)

Third-period goals: Shane Dachowski (P) from Aidan Boyle Jack Lowery, 9:58 (pp)

Shots: Neshaminy 42, Pennridge 52; Saves: Brian Nelson (N) 46, Ryan Pico P) 41

Council Rock North 6 Neshaminy 5

BRISTOL—Council Rock North and Neshaminy had a lot to play for Wednesday night. Both teams were trying to enhance their standing in the eyes of the Flyers Cup Competition Committee and the ‘Skins were trying to wipe away the memories of 6-1 loss to Council Rock South in their last start.

It was the Indians who prevailed, and in dramatic fashion, overcoming deficits of 4-0 and 5-1 to post a 6-5 win at Grundy Arena. Nick Hahn scored what proved to be the winning goal with 5:20 remaining in regulation.

Council Rock North improved to 5-6 overall and 4-5 in divisional play. The win is sure to make a lasting impression While North competes in the Class AA Division of the SHSHL, the Indians are a Class A team for Flyers Cup and are doing their best to make a case for inclusion in the field.

North coach Greg McDonald was asked if the win was his team’s biggest to date.

“I’d probably say so,” he said. “I think we had all but one player here tonight. It was the first time we had a full roster, so we were able to kind of manage the game differently. Certainly, by the boys’ reaction, I think it was the biggest win of the year.

At the end of the first period, the Indians were staring into the abyss. Goals from Jacob Adami, and Joey Hornung, and two from Max Gallagher, gave Neshaminy (8-3-1, 5-3 in the division) what seemed to be a commanding 4-0 lead.

Jackson Accardi got North on the board 1:13 into the second frame but David McColgan answered for Neshaminy with a power-play goal at the five-minute mark to seemingly restore the status quo.

The Indians kept at it however. Accardi scored his second goal of the game, a shorthanded effort, at 5:40, and Jackson Mosley followed with a goal of his own at 9:23 to make it a 5-3 game heading into the third period.

Neshaminy kept up the pressure as the final session began. Mosley scored his second goal of the night at 4:13 before Karson Grainey tied the game at 6:16.

But North found itself shorthanded going down the stretch. With 7:35 left in regulation, Mosley was called for slashing and drew a 10-minute misconduct along with it. That gave him four penalties on the night and an automatic game misconduct. With 3:39 still to play, Accardi drew a 10-minute misconduct penalty of his own.

But Neshaminy persevered and Hahn sent his teammates into celebratory mode with his game-winning goal. Hahn, a sophomore, said the Indians were poised to continue their comeback as the final period began.

’We had great (chemistry) going into the third,” he said. “We were pumped up and ready to go.”

The events of the last two periods left Neshaminy coach Matt DeMatteo perplexed and frustrated. His team was ranked fifth in the latest set of Class AA Flyers Cup rankings and the loss was a black eye, or perhaps a left hook to the jaw.

“You get a four-goal lead and you can’t keep it, that’s embarrassing,” he said. “We came out, we stuck to the game plan early on, we played a good first period, then the last two periods we just fell apart.

“We didn’t stick to the game plan. Top to bottom, we just abandoned it and I don’t know why. If something is working, why wouldn’t you stay with it?”

Council Rock North 0 3 3—6

Neshaminy 4 1 0—5

First-period goals: Jacob Adami (N) from J.J. Hathaway, 4:30; Joey Hornung (N) from D.J. Harris, 11:52; Max Gallagher (N) from Hathaway, 14:31; Gallagher (M) from Ryan DeMatteo, and Liam Mooney, 15:02

Second-period goals: Jackson Accardi (CRN) from Karson Grainey and Nick Hahn, 1:13; Dan McColgan (N) from Hathaway, 5:00 (pp); Accardi (CRN) from Grainey and Jackson Mosley, 5:40 (sh); Mosley (CRN) from Zach Weissman and Grainey, 9:23

Third-period goals: Mosley (CRN) from Weissman and Lucas Siomos, 4:1; Grainey (CRN) unassisted, 6:16; Hahn (CRN) from Weissman and Siomos,11:40

Shots: Council Rock North 32, Neshaminy 33

Saves: Ian Goldberg (CRN) 28 Cory Hemberger (N) 26

Council Rock South 6 Neshaminy 1

BRISTOL— It’s something that occurs around this time in every hockey season. Council Rock South finds another gear.

The Golden Hawks played one of their best games of the season Thursday night a 6-1 SHSHL Class AA win over Neshaminy at Grundy Arena.

Evan Mostoller scored two goals and four other players scored one goal each as South improved to 9-1-1 overall and stayed unbeaten in divisional play with a 7-0 mark.

The margin of victory might have been greater had it not been for the play of Neshaminy goaltender Brian Nelson who made 41 saves. From the opening faceoff to the final buzzer, the Golden Hawks dominated.

Sophomore Kevin Koles contributed a goal and two assists.

“We’ve got playoffs soon,” he said. “We’re trying to (play) more like a team. We got the job done.”

South is one of the most balanced teams offensively in the SHSHL. Entering play Thursday night, four different players had scored 11 points or more this season.

Veteran coach Joe Houk says that balance is one of the keys to his team’s success this season.

“I think it’s most important,” he said. “We’ve always talked over the years about how your top guys always (contribute). “I think the second and third liners are the guys that are the most important. And now I have a couple D-men this year that are putting points up on the board also.

“So, at any given time during the game, I don’t have to rely on one or two guys. I can rely on a lot of other people too.”

Thanks in part to Nelson’s 18 saves, the Golden Hawks led just 1-0 after one period; Blaise Pepe put his team in front at the 1:38 mark.

Julian Wagenmann made it a 2-0 game 1:14 into the second frame before South broke the game open late in the period. Jeremy Rahyer, Koles, and Mostoller scored in a span of five-and-a-half minutes to build a 5-0 lead by period’s end.

It marked the first time this year Neshaminy (8-2-1, 5-2 in the division) had surrendered more than three goals in a game this season.

Neshaminy coach Matt DeMatteo was disappointed in his team’s effort.

“(South) is a very good team,” he said. “They played a very disciplined game. They clearly had a game plan and they executed it. We did not. That’s what it looks like when two good teams play and one doesn’t show up.”

Emotions boiled over at the 3:35 mark of the third period. South’ Matt Constantini and Neshaminy’s Nolan Geria were the antagonists. Constantini drew a minor for cross checking plus a 10-minute misconduct. Geria, who had been flagged three times to that point, was called for a minor penalty for a check from behind, and the automatic misconduct penalty that went with it, plus a double game misconduct.

J.J. Hathaway scored for Neshaminy 8:27 into the final period before Mostoller completed the scoring at 13:20.

Council Rock South 1 4 1—6

Neshaminy 0 0 1—1

First-period goals: Blaise Pepe (CRS) from Alec Pepe and Chase Trovsky, 1:38

Second-period goals: Julian Wagenmann (CRS) from Matt Constantini and Nolan O’Brien, 1:14; Jeremy Rayher (CRS) from Julian Sarne and Kyle Boss, 11:11; Kevin Koles (CRS) unassisted, 12:44; Evan Mostoller (CRS) from Koles and David Vergules, 16:41

Third-period goals: J.J. Hathaway (N) unassisted, 8:27; Mostoller (CRS) from Trovsky and Koles, 13:20

Shots: Council Rock South 47, Neshaminy 19; Saves: Carson Lopez (CRS) 18, Brian Nelson (N) 41

C.B. South 3 Neshaminy 2

BRISTOL—A hockey team trying to find its way took a big leap forward Thursday night. Aidan Gaffney scored two goals as Central Bucks South surprised previously unbeaten Neshaminy 3-2 Thursday night at Grundy Arena.

It was the first win for the Titans in seven starts this season (1-5-1 overall, 1-1 in Class AA divisional play.

Assistant coach Tyler Skroski noted it was a team win in the truest sense of the term.

“We relied on our older guys, our seniors were coming through,” he said. “Our top players were coming through. That’s a full team win.”

The Titans also got a big contribution from a younger guy; freshman goaltender Jason Magaruh, who was credited with 50 saves.

Dan Kvechner gave South the first lead of the night just 2:28 into the opening period. Jacob Adami responded for the ‘Skins (4-1-1 overall 1-1 in the division) at the 12:50 mark on a shot from the right circle on which Magaruh was screened and it seemed the hosts were getting a handle on things.

But Gaffney put South ahead for the second time just 1:32 into the second period.

“The mindset was just north-and-south hockey,” he said. “We wanted to get pucks in deep and shoot everything we possibly could.”

The Titans skated themselves into a corner at the start of the third period. Kvechner was set off for tripping after 43 seconds. When Justin Montagna was flagged for the same offense at 1:25 South found itself skating two men short. When J.J. Hathaway tied the game for Neshaminy at the 2:22 mark the ‘Skins still had a full minute of power-play time left.

But Magaruh bolstered by his defense corps, held form.

“He’s a young goalie,” Gaffney said. “We’ll always support our goalie no matter what.

Gaffney’s game-winning goal came with 2:20 left in the game off a faceoff.

The ‘Skins enjoyed a 52-36 edge in shots on goal. Neshaminy coach Matt DeMatteo lamented the fact that an abundance of his team’s shot attempts never got to the net.

“I think that their defense stepped up,” he said. “Not that their goalie didn’t play well. We had trouble getting pucks through to him. We got some shots on, but they blocked a ton of shots.

“I think that was their game plan going in to load up the middle and block shots. We just had trouble getting the pucks through to the goalie.”

Gaffney believes the win will be a springboard for the Titans and give them momentum.

“Definitely,” he said. “It’s definitely a turnaround. “We’re looking to turn it around for the rest of the games and I definitely think we can.”

C.B. South 1 1 1—3

Neshaminy 1 0 1—2

First-period goals: Dan Kvechner (CBS) from Matt Crouch, 2:28; Jacob Adami (N) from J.H. Hathaway, 12:50

Second-period goals: Aidan Gaffney (CBS) from Justin Keilman and Aydin Theirolf, 1:32

Third-period goals: Hathaway (N) from Max Gallagher, 2:26 (pp); Gaffney (CBS) from Adam Cusick, 12:40

Shots: C.B. South 36, Neshaminy 52; Saves: Jason Magaruh (CBS) 50, Brian Nelson (N) 33

C.B. South 2, Neshaminy 0

HATFIELD— It was a game that crackled with playoff-like intensity. Which was fitting because Friday’s regular-season final between Central Bucks South and Neshaminy had enormous postseason implications.

Aydin Thierolf scored a power-play goal with 4:15 left in regulation and added an empty-net goal with 26 seconds remaining to give the Titans a 2-0 win at Hatfield Ice.
The win assures the Titans (7-5-1, 6-2 in divisional play) of the second seed and an opening-round bye when the SHSHL playoffs get underway next week. Neshaminy (6-5-1, 5-3) will be seeded fourth.

The winning goal came after the ‘Skins J.H. Hathaway was sent to the penalty box for knocking down a South player after the whistle near the Neshaminy net.
Thierolf’s goal came on a rebound after Neshaminy netminder Brian Nelson stopped his original shot.

Nelson and South’s Mason Moyer were in top form, making 31 saves each in the 48-minute game. Moyer noted the bond of familiarity that exists between himself and his defense corps.
“If the guys are comfortable with me, I’m comfortable with them,” he said. “I’ve been playing with them for years and we just build that trust over time.”

South coach Shaun McGinty praised the support the Titan defense gave their goaltender. “Defensively, the nucleus back there played very well,” he said. “As a whole, we. We’re blocking shots, the forwards were doing the job too.”

The game featured 15 penalties. The Titans lost Aidan Gaffney at the 8:54 mark of the second period when he drew a major penalty plus a game misconduct for a check from behind but Neshaminy was unable to take advantage of the extended power play.

Neshaminy coach Matt DeMatteo tried to take some positives away from the evening. “It was a really tight game,” he said. “The boys played really well. Our goalie played really well.They just finished one more chance than we did.”

Moyer feels Friday’s game offered a preview of the postseason to come. “Every team here has a chance to win it,” he said, “and if we just keep playing how we’re playing, I think we can go far.”

Notes—The SHSHL National/Continental playoffs begin Monday with third seed Council Rock South facing sixth seed North Penn and fourth seed Neshaminy facing fifth seed Pennridge. The sites and times of those games have yet to be announced.
.

Neshaminy 0 0 0—0
C.B. South 0 0 2—2
Third-period goals: Aydin Thierolf (CBS) from Owen Mendham, 11:45 (pp); Thierolf (CBS) unassisted, 15:34 (en)
Shots: Neshaminy 31, C.B. South 33; Saves: Brian Nelson (N) 31; Mason Moyer (CBS) 31

Neshaminy 5, Pennsbury 4

BRISTOL— It was a rivalry game that matched all expectations. Noah Seewagen scored with 7:52 remaining in the third period to give Neshaminy a 5-4 win over Pennsbury Thursday night at Grundy Arena in a Suburban High School Hockey League game that had significant ramifications.

The ‘Skins improved to 6-4-1 overall and 5-2 in National/Continental Division play and, it should be noted, 2-0 against Pennsbury this season. The Falcons (9-1-0-1, 6-1 in divisional play) suffered their first regulation loss.

Both teams were trying to strengthen their case for a favorable placement on the Flyers Cup bracket when the field is revealed on March 28.

Neshaminy was taking the ice 24 hours after a loss to Central Bucks East and ‘Skins coach Matt DeMatteo said the loss gave his team a jolt.

“I think (Wednesday) night was a huge wakeup call,” he said. “I think the older guys realized how few games are left and they knew they had to being it tonight.”

The key sequence in the game commenced 63 seconds into the second period. With Pennsbury holding a 1-0 lead, the Falcons’ Eddie Bossler drew a five-minute major penalty for high sticking.

It took Nolan Geria just 30 seconds to tie the game and Matt Buchinski put Neshaminy in front just 26 seconds after that.

The ‘Skins never trailed again.

Brendan MacAinsh tied the game for the Falcons at the 5:29 mark of the period while the teams were skating four on four but goals from Max Gallagher and Jacob Helms gave Neshaminy a two-goal lead before the period ended.

Erik Eisler and Justin Marlin scored third period goals for the Falcons but Seewagen’s goal off a Pennsbury turnover proved decisive.

“They came to play and we were just a little undisciplined,” said Pennsbury coach Ryan Daley. No matter the circumstances, these games are always tight and that’s what makes a great rivalry.”

•Thursday’s game was the third annual Gannon Cup game, played in memory of former Neshaminy School District students and hockey players Patrick Gannon and Phil Oseredzuk. Both would have been seniors this year and both played club hockey with many of the players who took the ice Thursday night,

Gannon died as the result of an an accident in July of 2016 at age 13 and Oserdzuk perished in an accident in May of 2019 at age 16.

More than $6,100 was raised Thursday night for charitable organizations that were established in memory of the young men who perished.

Neshaminy’s Rob Seewagen noted that while Thursday’s win meant a lot to he and his teammates, the evening was about something more important.

“At the end of the day, it’s more remembering Pat and Phil,” he said. “They were our age group in terms of the class of 2021. It hurts that they’re not here but this why we come out and do this every year. We love them and we want to honor them and their families.”

The Gannon Cup is named for Mike Gannon, Patrick’s father a longtime coach with the Grundy Senators youth program.

Neshaminy 0 4 1—5

Pennsbury 1 1 2—4

First-period goal: Brendan MacAinsh (P) from Shane Siegmund and Reece Millman, 13:51

Second-period goals: Nolan Geria (N) from Thomas Gallagher, 1:43 (pp); Matt Buchinski (N) from Max Gallagher and Geria, 2:09, (pp); MacAinsh (P) from Shane Siegmund and Reece Millman, 5:29; Max Gallager (N from Michael Knipple, 7:15; Jacob Helms (N) unassisted, 13:57

Third-period goals: Erik Eisler (P) from Justin Marlin, :33 (pp); Marlin (P) from Jake McCaw, 7:49; Noah Seewagen (N) from Max Gallagher, 8:08
Shots: Neshaminy 40, Pennsbury 36; Saves: Brian Nelson (N) 32, Marek Jorgenson (P) 35

Council Rock South 5, Neshaminy 2

WARWICK TOWNSHIP—Starting a game with a two-goal lead would be a significant advantage for any hockey team. That’s essentially the situation Council Rock South found itself in Friday night, and the circumstance Neshaminy had to deal with.

The Golden Hawks scored twice off Neshaminy turnovers before the game was two-and-a-half minutes old and went on to take a 5-2 decision in a SHSHL National-Continental non-league matchup at Revolution Ice Gardens.

Jeremy Purcell gave the Hawks (2-0) the lead just 30 seconds after the opening faceoff, beating Brian Nelson after the ‘Skins (1-1) turned the puck over in deep in their own zone near the right faceoff circle. Gavin Nisenzon made it 2-0 at the 2:22 mark with a shot from between the circles that Nelson initally stopped but the puck trickled over the goal line.

‘It’s the turnovers that are killing us,” said Neshaminy coach Matt DeMatteo. “I don’t know if we’re just trying to do too much with the puck, but I think we need to simplify the game and stop trying to do too much. It’s too early in the season to overcomplicate things.”

Nolan Geria got the ‘Skins on the board at the 6:44 mark of the first frame off a feed from Robert Seewagen, who was stationed beyond the goal line and found his teammate in the slot.

Both teams had an abundance of chances after that but Nelson and Jimmy Sweeney, his South counterpart, stepped up; they combined for 54 saves, an abundance of them, at both ends of the ice, under duress.

Brennan Wright extended the South lead with a power-play goal 2:24 into the second frame. Seewagen answered for Neshaminy just 55 seconds later but would not score again. When Kyle Boss score for the Golden Hawks with just 26 seconds left in the second session, Sweeney had the same two-goal margin going into the third period that he enjoyed for most of the first.

“I felt like everyone on my team was sharp tonight,” he said. “Everyone played good. I felt like I was a little shaky in the beginning but then I felt like I settled in.”

Sweeney played some of his best hockey in the final period to keep Neshaminy at bay. He made his best save of the night when he denied Max Gallagher from close range with 1:49 left in the period to keep it a two-goal game. It was an effort that left him sprawled on the ice.

“I felt like (his teammates) found their extra gear,” Sweeney said. “Everyone was out there skating as hard as they could.

The only goal of the period came from South’s Douglas Lopez into an empty net with 56 seconds remaining.

• Friday’s game was the first of two meetings between the two teams this season. It will not count in the division standings but will have an impact on seedings for the Flyers Cup tournament. The ‘Skins and the Golden Hawks will meet again on March 17. That game will count in the division standings.

Neshaminy 1 1 0—2

Council Rock South 2 1 2—5

First-period goals: Jeremy Purcell (CRS) from Douglas Lopez, :30; Gavin Nisenzon (CRS) unassisted, 2:22; Nolan Geria (N) from Robert Seewagen, 6:44.

Second-period goals: Brennan Wright (CRS) from Kyle Boss, 2:24 (pp); Seewagen (N) from J.J. Hathaway and Max Gallagher, 3:19; Boss (CRS) from Julian Sarne and Juian Wagenmann, 15:34.

Third-period goal: Lopez (CRS) unassisted, 15:04 (en).
Shots: Neshaminy 31, Council Rock South 30; Saves: Brian Nelson (N) 25, Jimmy Sweeney (CRS) 29.