North Penn 12, William Tennent 2

WARWICK—If there is a single word or phrase that would best describe North Penn’s performance Wednesday night it would be workmanlike. The Knights did a lot of things well against William Tennent. They moved the puck well in the offensive zone, worked hard inside their own blue line, and supported a goaltender making his first varsity start.
The result was a 12-2 win that kept the Knights unbeaten in Suburban High School Hockey League Class AA league play (5-2) overall. Josh Kaufhold scored five goals and assisted on two others and Tyler Greenstein scored one goal and provided six assists before the game was called with 6:57 remaining in the third period.

The Knights score two power-play goals and added another while shorthanded. Kaufhold was pleased with the way he and his teammates moved the puck.

“Hopefully I’ll move the puck and get everyone involved,” he said. “Obviously, we don’t want everyone just doing it by themselves, so it’s good to include everyone. “

The Knights used two goals from Kaufhold and goals from Greenstein and Jeremy Porubski to take a 4-0 lead at the 11:53 mark of the first period and were in full control thereafter.

North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis was pleased his team maintained its focus. “We continued to play for the entire game all the way to the very end,” he said. “That’s what we wanted to do. We had a similar game last week against Abington (an 11-1 win) and one tonight where I said to the guys ‘From start to finish, we’ve got to play to the very end. Whether it’s a 3-2 game or a game that ends early, that’s what we’ve got to do.’”

Justin Carrilelli scored for Tennent (3-6, 1-5) with 2:17 left in the first period and then again 57 seconds into the second to make it a 4-2 game. But North Penn responded with eight unanswered goals before the contest was halted.

The scoreline should in no way diminish the work of Tennent goaltender Thomas Lomas. The sophomore saw 50 shots in 41 minutes and 3 seconds of play and turned aside 38 of them. Many of his saves were difficult, several were nothing short of spectacular.

“He battled,” said Tennent coach Nick D’Aurizio. “We’re young. With that comes defensive deficiencies. We gave up (50) shots. For a sophomore to take that kind of onslaught; they were all quality chances. He played really well.

At the other end of the ice, North Penn junior, John Boyles made his first varsity appearance in goal and stopped eight of 10 shots.

“He came in and stopped the puck,” Vaitis said. “He did the things that we needed him to do and it was one of those things where all we needed him to do as make the saves that we would want him to make. He didn’t need to make any spectacular saves. I told all the guys in front of him that they had to elevate their games and help support him in his first start.”

North Penn 4 6 2—12

William Tennent 1 1 0—2

First-period goals: Jeremy Porubski (NP) from Ryan Cunningham and Zachery Kline, 5:51; Josh Kaufhold (NP) from Tony Tuozzo, 8:52; Tuozzo (NP) from Tyler Greenstein and Thomas Boyle, 9:33; Kaufhold (NP) from Greenstein, 11:53 (pp); Justin Carrilelli (WT) unassisted, 13:43.

Second-period goals: Carrilelli (WT) from Mason McKeever and Matthew Castan, :57; Kaufhold (NP) from Greenstein and Tuozzo, 2:22; Kaufhold (NP) from Greenstein, 3:29 (sh) Boyle (NP) from Kaufhold and Greenstein, 5:58 (pp); Boyle (NP) from Luke Van Why and Cunningham, 10:38 (pp); Greenstein (NP) from Kaufhold, 13:46; Cline (NP) from Porubski, 15:19.

Third-period goals: Kaufhold (NP) from Van Why and Tuozzo, 1:50; Cline (NP) from Van Why, 9:03.

Game called at 9:03 of the third period.

Shots: North Penn 50, William Tennent 10; Saves: John Boyles (NP) 8, Thomas Lomas (WT) 38.

The Grundy Skate Shop is a full-service hockey pro shop inside the Grundy Arena, offering a great selection of equipment, brands and various services. We do a range of repairs as well as offer custom hockey jerseys. Owner Bill Keyser, has over 25 years experience in the industry and specializes in skate sharpening, including profiling. Please visit our Facebook page or stop in and check us out!

North Penn 4, Central Bucks East 3 OT

By Rick Woelfel

WARWICK—North Penn and Central Bucks East made a bit of hockey history Wednesday night. The Knights and the Patriots engaged in the first regular-season overtime game in Suburban High School Hockey League history.

Ryan Cunningham scored with a slapshot from just off the left circle 2:08 into the five-minute overtime to give the Knights a 4-3 win. The goal came off a right-circle faceoff. Tyler Greenstein sent the puck across the ice to Cunningham, who rocketed the puck past Patriot goaltender Chris McIntyre.

Prior to Wednesday night the Knights (1-1, 1-0 in league play) had a bit of experience with three-on-three overtime.

“We did a scrimmage game with C.B. West,” said North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis, “and we played the last five minutes of that with the three-on-three. We got to get a little exposure to it. A lot of the kids have played travel hockey and they do it in travel hockey now.”

Cunningham’s goal came on a play that was executed as designed. “We work on specific plays like that,” the junior defenseman said. “For specific moments in overtime and on the power play and it happened to work out pretty well.”

Goals came fast and furious early on. Greenstein and Josh Kaufhold scored first-period goals for North Penn and East’s Sean Gorman scored in between. The three goals came in a span of just 48 seconds. Phil McIntyre tied the game for the Patriots just 23 seconds into the second stanza.

After that, the game turned into a goaltending dual between McIntyre and North Penn’s Nick Ebbbinghaus, both of whom were first rate. McIntyre finished with 45 saves.

Mike Capps filled in behind the Patriot bench for Ken Latchum, who was absent.

“(McIntyre) could be the best in in the league,” Capps said. He’s a young guy, only a junior. A very good player. We’re lucky to have him.”

With seven minutes left in the middle period the Patriots just missed taking the lead when Matt Cipriano’s blast from the top of the slot eluded Ebbinghaus but the referee on the play ruled the puck did not cross the goal line.

Luke Van Why gave North Penn a 3-2 lead with a power-play goal 4:33 into the final period before the Patriots with his second goal of the game at the 9:36 mark.

After a one-sided loss to Holy Ghost Prep in their season opener, Vaitis said Wednesday’s win was a big step forward for the Knights. “It was very important for us,” he said. It was our first league game of the season. We only get to play these guys once. We played them last year to a real close game and we knew with a bunch of the guys coming back they were going to be a tough team.”

There would not have been a shootout had the teams played a full five minutes of overtime. The game would have been considered a tie.

North Penn 2 0 1 1—4

C.B. East 1 1 1 0—3

First-period goals: Tyler Greenstein (NP) from Josh Kaufhold, 8:50 (pp); Sean Gorman (CBE) unassisted, 9:27; Kaufhold (NP) from Greenstein, 9:38.

Second-period goal: Phil McIntyre (CBE) from Bogden Borodenko, :23.

Third-period goals: Luke Van Why (NP) from Thomas Boyle, 4:33; Gorman (CBE) from Jasen Cluckey, 9:36 (sh).

Overtime goal: Ryan Cunningham (NP) from Greenstein and Van Why, 2:08.
Shots: North Penn 46, C.B. East 22; Saves: Nick Ebbinghaus (NP) 19, Chris McIntyre (CBE) 42

SHSHL Previews

The Suburban High School Hockey League season is officially underway. Here’s a look at the 1919-20 campaign.

If you’re interested in coverage of your hockey event or tournament, contact us at Hockey Happenings

Class AA

National Division

Abington

Coach: Ken Brzozowski (third season)

Last Year: 5-7-4

Key players: So. Ben Panella (G); Fr. Sam Nemac (G); Jr. Colin Bruton (F); Jr. Ethan Wielheimer (D); Jr. Holden Brooker (D); So. Tommy Rourke (D-F); So. Joe Stelacio (D-F)

Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts will put a young time on the ice this season; the roster features 15 underclassmen. But after barely missing the playoffs a year ago, Brzozowski is excited about the coming campaign.

“This team has been working hard since August,” he said, “and has developed great chemistry…I am very excited to coach this young team with our experienced juniors.”

Council Rock North

Coach: Chris Gallagher (fourth season)

Last year: 2-14

Key players: Jr. Rex Goldberg (G); Sr. Vlad Litnov (F); Sr. Colin Kiefer (F); Sr. Will Sohn (F)

Outlook: The Indians continue to strengthen their program. This year’s lineup will feature an infusion of young talent; there are 10 freshmen on the roster. Goldberg is an experienced netminder while Kiefer and Sohn will play key roles up front.

Council Rock South

Coach: Joe Houk (14^th season)

Last year: 6-9-3

Key players: Sr. Alex Patrizi (G); Jr. Jimmy Sweeney (G); Sr. David Mueller (D); Sr. Billy Harrelson (F)

Outlook: The Golden Hawks will look continue to build on last season, when a young team worked its way into the postseason.

The goaltending tandem of Patrizi and Sweeney is a foundation on which to build.

“We have a solid defensive core and three solid lines,” Houk said. Good teams are built from the goal line out & I think we’re in pretty good shape and we’ll be very competitive with the top teams this year. “

Neshaminy

Head Coach: Matthew DeMatteo (third season)
Key players: So. Brian Nelson (G); Jr. Matthew Buchinski (D); Sr. Ryan McColgan (D); Jr. Robbie Seewagen (F); Sr. Joseph DeMatteo (F); Sr. Charlie Potash (F); Jr. Thomas Gallagher (F); Fr. Nolan Geria (F)

Outlook: The ‘Skins return their three top scorers from a year ago in Seewagen, DeMatteo, and Gallagher. Geria heads up a talented freshman class. Nelson will be a new face between the pipes but has looked impressive.

Pennsbury

Coach: Ryan Daley (third season)

Last year: 8-8-3

Key players: So. Topher Seiler (G); Sr. Ben Dous (F-D); St. Jasper Millman (D); Sr. Jake Machlovitz (F); Sr. Beau Yedman (F); So, Shane Sigmund (F); Jr. Erik Eisler (F); Fr. Brendan Macainish (F)

Outlook: The Falcons took some big strides forward last season by qualifying for the Flyers Cup tournament for the first time in three years. This year’s group is a blend of youth and experience. Daley is counting on the four seniors on the roster to provide leadership.

William Tennent

Coach: Nick D’Auruzio (10^th season)

Last year: 3-11-2

Key players: Sr. Stephen Skiba (D); Jr. Zach Devor (D); Jr. Justin Carrelli (F); Sr. Tom Hartenstein (F)

Outlook: The Panthers will be young again this season and hoping to improve on last season’s mark. “Our goal is to improve every year,” D’Aurizio said, “and this team looks ready to take the next step.

Continental Division

Central Bucks East

Coach: Ken Latchum (third season in suucession, 12^th overall)

Last year: 5-8-3

Key players: Jr. Chris McIntyre (G); Jr. Connor Keiser (D); Jr. Shane West (D); So. Sean Gorman (F); Sr. Nick LoCastro (F); Sr. Dan Tori (F); Jr. Max Ermigiotti (F); So. Phil McIntyre (F)

Outlook: The Patriots are thin in terms of numbers but Latchum is impressed with his team’s work ethic.

“It’s a hardworking group,” he said. “Our talent will be tested. There will be chances for young players as well as seniors to step up.”

Central Bucks South

Coach: Shaun McGinty (fifth season)

Last year: 17-6-2
Key players: Jr. Mason Moyer (G); Sr. Ryan Gingras (D); Sr. Brian Keilman (D); Sr. Dom Patrone (F); Sr. Steve McMillan (F); Sr. Harry McLaughlin (F); Sr. Colin Abbonizio (F); Sr. Matt Milanesi (F)

Outlook: The eight-time SHSHL Class AA champions feature a roster with 10 seniors on it. This team may not have the offensive firepower of seasons past. But Moyer is a proven goaltender and the Titans generally find a way to make the pieces fit.

Central Bucks West

Coach: Dave Baun (16^th season)

Last year: 10-9

Key players: Sr. Jake Coddington (G); So. Grant Funseth (D); So. Evan Hee (D); Sr Christopher Trefz (F); Sr. Jake Lang (F); Sr. Danny Poliak (F); Jr. Keith Orlando (F); So. Billy Loughnane (F)

Outlook: The Bucks will have 10 new faces in this year’s lineup but have some experienced seniors as well in the likes of Trefz and Lang up front and Coddington in goal.

“As go your leaders, so goes your team,” Baun said, “and we feel very confident that we have the kind of group that can lead us to great things this year.”

North Penn

Coach: Kevin Vaitis (11th season)

Last year: 15-6-3

Key players: Sr. Tyler Greenstein (F); Sr. Josh Kaufhold (F); Sr. Tommy Boyle (F/D); Jr. Luke Van Why (D); Jr. Ryan Cunningham (D); So. Tony Tuozzo (F); So. Nicholas Ebbinghaus (G)

Outlook: The Knights will field one of the SHSHL’s most experienced teams. Twelve players return from the team that reached the Class AA Flyers Cup quarterfinals. The returnees include Greenstein, last year’s leading scorer, along with Boyle and Van Why on the blue line and Ebbinghause in goal. The pieces are in place for a promising season.

Pennridge

Coach: Jeff Montagna (second season)

Last year: 17-2-1; won SHSHL Class AA title

Key players: So. Ryan Pico (G); Jr. Conner Frisch (D); Sr. Michael White (F); Jr. Jeff Manto (F); Jr. Blake Stewart

Outlook: Much of last year’s championship team is gone but seven players are back who saw extensive varsity time last year including White up front. The defense will be new however, and Pico is a newcomer in goal.

“We will be much better than people think,” Montagna said, “depending on how new defensive core develops

Souderton

Coach: Ryan Uchniat (second season)

Last year: 2-13-1

Key players: Sr. Jonathan Prichard (G); Fr. Noah Connor (G) So. Carter Povazan (D) Sr. Jacob Bealer (D) Sr. Thomas Harris (F); Jr. Tyler MacPhee (F); So Kyle Anderson (F)

Outlook: Last year was a year of growth for a young team. Uchniat is hoping that experience will pay dividends this year.

“Last season was a year of growth for our younger players. A few freshmen saw significant ice time and look to take another big leap forward this year.”

Quakertown

Coach: Keith Krem

Last year: First-year team

Key players: Jr. Austin Stoudt (G); Jr. Eric Orezehoski (D); Sr. Jake p Dilger (F); So. Anthony Pagliei

Outlook: The Panthers are making their debut in the SHSHL this season. There has been hockey at Quakertown in the past, but not under the SHSHL banner.

“We are very excited for hockey to be in Quakertown,“ Krem said, “and for the season to begin.”

Class A

American Division

Hatboro-Horsham

Coach: Gianni Lafratta (second season)

Last year: 5-5-2

Key players: Sr. Joey Gambino (G), Sr. Ziyad Elsabbagh (D); So. Ben Lerner (D); Jr. Aidan Esack (F), Fr. Nick Long (F)

Outlook: The Hatters had trouble scoring goals at times last season but were stingy at the other end of the ice. They allowed just 49 goal in a division where high-scoring games were the norm. Long will be counted on to score goals.

Lower Moreland

Coach: Gus Salfiti (second season)

Last year 12-4-3

Key players: So. Jacob Lungin (G); Jr. Devin Green (D); Jr. Vincenzo DeMaio (F); Jr. Noah Gazzara (D-F); So. Tyler Scolnick (F).

Outlook: The Lions played for the American Division championship a year ago. It will be a young team; there are no seniors on the roster, and likely will be lacking in numbers. But the players on hand have a good amount of varsity experience.

Plymouth Whitemasrh

Coach: Josh Aiello (sixth season)

Last year: 10-5-1

Key players: Sr. Ben Yuter (G); Sr. Ben Lubas (D); Sr. Dean Keller (F); Sr. Colin Franzoni (F); Sr. Jake Weikel (F); So. Aidan Keogh (F)

Outlook: A young Colonial team reached the Class A Flyers Cup quarterfinals a year ago. This team is more experienced; there are nine seniors on hand; and features Yuter in goal along with Keller and Franzoni, two of the American Division’s premier offensive threats.

Also competing in the American Division: Truman, Wissahickon

Pennridge 4, North Penn 3 OT

By Rick Woelfel

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—The stars shined brightly at Hatfield Ice Monday evening. And in the end, Eric Slater lit up the night like a supernova. Slater’s goal 3 minutes, 25 seconds into overtime gave Pennridge a 4-3 decision over North Penn in a Flyers Cup Class AA quarterfinal.

The fourth-seeded Rams (16-2-3) will take a five-game winning streak and a 13-game unbeaten streak into Thursday’s semifinals against two-time defending Flyers Cup and state champion Downingtown East (5:15 at Ice Line).

Nathan Oh, playing in what turned out to be his final high-school game, delivered a hat trick for fifth-seeded North Penn (12-5-3).

It was a night when the best players on both teams came up big, but none more than Slater, who scored two goals and assisted on a third. His game-winner came on a shot from just beyond the faceoff circles off a feed from Matt Guinette. The shot beat Knight goaltender Nick Ebbinghaus on his stick (right) side but the freshman could not be faulted on the play.

“I was trying to drive the net,” Slater said. (Guinette) gave me a perfect pass. I made a move and shot it and hoped for the best.”

Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna said he was expecting Slater to step up at the start of the 15-minute sudden-death period. “He’s going to go out other shift in that overtime,” Montagna said, “and if we’re going to win, most likely, he’s going to win it for us.”

The Knights had far the best of the opening period, outshooting the Rams 15-3 but the session ended with teams deadlocked at one goal each. Oh gave North Penn the lead with a dash down the wing after his team own a faceoff in its own zone. He beat Pennridge goaltender Luke Stranick at the 7:39 mark. Slater answered back just under two minutes later with a wrister from the left wing after finding himself alone one on one with a Knight defenseman.

North Penn’s Josh Kaufholf (with puck) goes against Pennridge’s Frankie Rota in the first period of Monday’s game. (photo by Kathy Leister)

Michael Walker gave Pennridge the lead once more 63 seconds into the second period when he collected a feed from Guinette and made a move around a defender and beat Ebbinghaus.

The freshman came up big however with 1:50 left in the period however with a kick save on a shot from Walker that would have given the Rams a two-goal lead, Instead, Oh tied the game with 53.6 seconds left to send the teams to the third period all even.
Pennridge took the lead for the third time on Blake Stewart’s power-play goal with 5:17 left in the third period. With North Penn’s Will Hughes in the box serving a hooking minor, the Rams’ Franke Rota set up shot at the right point and sent a pass across the ice to Slater who launched a rocket along the ice. Stewart tipped the puck past Ebbinghaus.

Oh completed his hat trick with 2:16 left in regulation to tie the game and send it to overtime.

The Knights, who finished with a 37-21 wedge in shots, had a good chance early in the extra period but Stranick stood his ground and the teams played on until Slater delivered his game winner.

“You got Nate Oh on North Penn and Eric Slate on Pennridge,” North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis pointed out. “They’re two of the best high-school players in the (SHSHL) and definitely in the Flyers Cup tournament.

“They got the bounce to go their way in overtime and that’s part of the game. We were probably inches away from winning it there early in overtime and didn’t capitalize.”

Pennridge goaltender Luke Stranick covers the puck. He finished with 34 saves. (Photo by Dara N. King)

North Penn 1 1 1 0—3

Pennridge 1 1 1 1—4

First-period goals: Nathan Oh (NP) from Jared Albano, 7:39; Eric Slater (MP) from Frankie Rota, 9:36;

Second-period goals: Michael Walker (P) from Matt Guinette, 1:03; Oh (NP) from Jake Nelson, 15:07

Third-period goals: Blake Stewart (P) from Walker and Rota, 10:43 (pp); Oh (NP) from Albano, 13:44

Overtime goal: Slater (P) from Guinette, 3:25

Shots: North Penn 37, Pennridge 21; Saves: Nick Ebbinghaus (NP) 17, Luke Stranick (P) 34

The Grundy Skate Shop is a full service hockey pro shop inside the Grundy Arena, offering a great selection of equipment, brands and various services. We do a range of repairs as well as offer custom hockey jerseys. We recently celebrated our 5th year at the shop but owner, Bill Keyser, has over 25 years experience in the industry and specializes in skate sharpening, including profiling. Please visit our Facebook page or stop in and check us out!

Flyers Cup Update

The fields for the various Flyers Cup tournaments have been cut in half, in the case of Class A more than that.

Here is what lies ahead. Note: All game times and sites are subject to change

Monday, March 11

Class AA Quarterfinals

Downingtown East 5 Parkland 0

Pennridge 4 North Penn 3 OT

Conestoga 4 Haverford 1

Downingtown West 3, Boyertown 1

Tuesday, March 12

Class A Semifinal Upper Bracket

West Chester Rustin 7 West Chester East 2

Wednesday, March 13

Class AA Semifinal Lower Bracket

Downingtown West 8, Conestoga 5

Class A Semifinal Lower Bracket

Hershey 6 Strath Haven 3

Girls Semifinal

8:45 2 West Chester Rustin 4, West Chester East 3 OT

Thursday, March 14

Class AAA Semifinals

LaSalle 5 Holy Ghost Prep 4

St. Joseph’s Prep 6 Malvern Prep 2

Class AA Upper Bracket Semifinal

D-town East vs Pennridge 5:15 @ Ice Line

When we’re not covering high school hockey, we’re providing a full line of writing services. Contact us HERE and let us help you publicize your upcoming event, your team, your conference or league.

We also provide a wide range of voice services; narrations, commercials, documentaries, telephone message greetings, plus public address and other voice work. E-mail us for more information.

Sunday, March 17

Finals @Wells Fargo Center

9:45 Girls: West Chester Rustin vs. Unionville

2:00 Class A Hershey vs. West Chester Rustin

4:30 Class AA Downtown West vs. Downingtown East

7:00 Class AAA LaSalle vs. St. Josephs Prep

From the pages of history:

West Chester Rustin is seeking its 6th straight Class A Flyers Cup title. No team has ever done that in any classification since the tournament started in 1980. Malvern Prep won 5 straight Class AAA titles from 2001-05.

Unionville is a four-time defending girls’ champion and will be seeking its fifth straight title this year.

Saturday, March 23

State Championship Games at Robert Morris University Game Times TBA

For more information on girls’ hockey go to: info@ladytpariots.org

If you’d like to know more about inline skating, roller hockey, and other roller skating opportunities contact the Inline309 rink

Pennridge 6, North Penn 4

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—Truly great players step up when it matters. That’s the case in every sport and it was certainly the case when North Penn and Pennridge squared off Wednesday night in their Suburban High School Hockey League semifinal.

Michael Walker scored what proved to be the winning goal with 9:55 left in the third period and followed up by scoring into an empty net with 18 seconds to go to give the Rams a 6-4 win on a night when some of the SHSHL’s elite players showed the audience at Hatfield Ice why they have achieved that status.

Walker provided an assist to go with his two goals. Eric Slater, perhaps the premier sniper in the SHSHL’s Class AA division, helped the Rams’ cause with a goal and an assist while Luke Stranick was impressive in goal.

Meantime, Josh Albano was contributing three goals for the Knights while Nathan Oh was helping out with three assists.

As a result of all this, it was anyone’s game until the late going. With the game tied 4-4 the third-seeded Knights (11-4-3) lost Luke Van Why to a tripping penalty. It took Walker just 17 seconds to put the Rams (13-2-3) in front; he scored via a feed from Slater off a faceoff.

But Stranick knew he and his teammates couldn’t relax. “It definitely keeps me dialed in,” he said. “My defense does a really good job of keeping the pucks coming from the outside and when they do that, it makes it a lot easier for me and the team.”

Blake Stewart and Tommy Pichardo sported the Rams two goals to the good by the 5:18 mark of the first period but Albano answered back, scoring two goals in a span of 2 minutes, 9 seconds to tie the game.

“I thought that early on we struggled a little bit defensively,” said Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna. “We started to settle down. I told them ‘The mark of a good team is when you do struggle and don’t have your ‘A’ game’ … The older guys made a play every single time we needed one.”

Freshman Aidan Boyle scored his first varsity goal to put Pennridge up 3-2 at the 3:02 mark of the second frame. Thomas Boyle answered for the Knights just 41 seconds later.

Slater put the Rams back in front when he scored with 39 seconds left in the period but Albano finished his hat trick at 5:19 of the third frame to set the stage for the conclusion.

“We knew they had a number of talented players up front,” said North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis. “I don’t think you’re ever going to stop them, I think you just look to contain them. I thought we did a decent job of that but they’re still (dangerous).”

The win puts second-seeded Pennridge into Thursday’s championship game (6:50 at Hatfield Ice) against top-seed Central Bucks South which is seeking an unprecedented fifth straight SHSHL title.

Pennridge is seeking to claim its first title since 2008.

Notes: The semifinal featured 17-minute periods (instead of 16) and in ice cut after the second stanza, the same format that will be utilized for the Flyers Cup semifinals and finals … Four officials were on the ice.

North Penn 2 1 1—4

Pennridge 2 2 2—6

First-period goals: Blake Stewart (P) from Matt Guinette, 3:14; Tommy Pichardo (P) from Guinette, 5:56; Josh Albano (NP) from Nathan Oh and Tommy Tuozzo, 10:06; Albano, (NP) from Tyler Greenstein and Oh (pp).

Second-period goals: Aidan Boyle (P) from Frankie Rota, 3:02; Thomas Boyle, (NP) from Oh, 3:44; Eric Slater (P) from Stewart, 16:39.

Third-period goals: Albano (NP) from Oh and Josh Kaufhold, 5;17 (pp); Michael Walker (P) from Slater, 7:05 (pp); Walker (P) unassisted, 16:42.

Shots: North Penn 32, Pennridge 35; Saves: Nick Ebbinghaus (NP) 29, Luke Stranick (P) 28.

If you or a family member, or friend are looking for a dentist, Hockey Happenings is proud to recommend All Smiles Family Dentistry. They’re located at 1620 South Broad Street in Lansdale.

Dr. Caroline Hsu, Dr. Azure Pelberg and their staff provide high-quality dental care in a caring, nurturing environment. They’ve been taking care of my teeth for 25 years and I would recommend them to anyone. Going to the dentist can be an unsettling experience but everyone at All Smiles Family Dentistry will work to put you at ease.

Call for an appointment at 215-616-0609 or e-mail them at allsmilesfamilydentistry@verizon.net. You can also find them on line at www.allsmileslansdale.com.

That’s All Smiles Family Dentistry of Lansdale.

North Penn 4 Pennsbury 2

By Rick Woelfel

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—Prior to taking the ice Monday night in their Suburban High School Hockey League quarterfinal, Pennsbury and North Penn were fully aware they are scheduled to face each other next Wednesday in the opening round of the Flyers Cup tournament. With that fact in mind, the Falcons and the Knights would have been forgiven for playing things close to the vest, since the results of the SHSHL playoffs have no bearing on the Flyers Cup seedings.

Instead, they chose to go another way. Both teams stepped up their games Monday night, the Falcons, who were seeded sixth in the SHSHL tournament, especially so.

It took a third-period goals from Josh Kaufhold and Nathan Oh to give the Knights a 4-2 win in an entertaining affair at Hatfield Ice. North Penn (11-3-3) will face second-seeded Pennridge on Wednesday at 7:00 in the semifinals while Pennsbury (7-8-3) will wait for next Wednesday’s rematch in the Flyers Cup.

Oh, who assisted on Kaufhold’s winning goal, was quick to point out that winning a SHSHL title would mean a lot to the Knights.

“Winning the league would mean so much for us,” he said. “Obviously, (Central Bucks South) has been on top forever and for us to get some hardware, that would be awesome. It would be great for me and the rest of the seniors.”

Jake Nelson gave the Knights an early lead when he scored just 2:02 into the first period but Ben Dous scored twice for the sixth-seeded Falcons (7-7-3) to give them a 2-1 lead after one frame.

Tyler Greenstein tied the game for North Penn with 5:51 left in the second period on the most picturesque play of the night; he skated up the middle of the ice and split the two Pennsbury defensemen before beating Falcon netminder Topher Seiler with a forehander.

At the start of the third period it was anyone’s hockey game.

The teams hadn’t played each other since November 29 and North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis noted that both had evolved since then. “Obviously both teams have changed a lot over the last three months,” he said. “Hats off to them. They came out really ready to play and they kind of went toe-to-toe with us for two periods.”
Kaufhold scored the winning goal on a power play with 9:09 left in the third period. The goal came while the Falcons Beau Yedman was in the box serving a hooking penalty.

Oh added an empty net goal with four seconds remaining.

Despite the loss, and his team’s elimination from the SHSHL playoffs, Pennsbury coach Ryan Daley feels his team has taken some big steps forward of late. The Falcons were 4-1-1 in their last six games prior to Monday night.

“The kids have been on fire,” he said. “I was telling the guys before the game that we’re a dangerous team. We’re an underdog playing extremely good hockey and I knew we had good shot. A couple bounces didn’t go our way, but it’s hockey.”

Notes: Both goaltenders came up with some big saves. Seiler and North Penn’s Nick Ebbinghaus combined to stop 52 shots.

Pennsbury 2 0 0—2

North Penn 1 1 2—4

First-period goals: Jake Nelson (NP) from Tyler Greenstein, 2:02; Ben Dous (P) from Jake Sieger, 11:34; Dous (P) from Sieger and Erik Eisler, 12:51.

Second-period goal: Greenstein (NP) from Jared Albano and Luke Van Why, 10:09.

Third-period goals: Josh Kaufhold (NP) from Nathan Oh, 6:51 (pp); Oh (NP) from Albano, 15:56 (en).

Shots; Pennsbury 25, North Penn 33; Saves: Topher Seiler (P) 29, Nick Ebbinghaus (NP) 23

SHSHL Playoff Game Times Set

The brackets have been finalized for the 2019 Suburban High School Hockey League playoffs. Action gets underway Monday, February 25 with four Class AA quarterfinal games and continues on Wednesday the 27^th with semifinal games in Class AA and Class A. The championship games in each class will be played at Hatfield Ice on Thursday, February 28.

Central Bucks South is the four-time defending champion in Class AA; if they successfully defend this year it will extra blush a new league record. Hatboro-Horsham meanwhile will be trying to defend the Class A crown.

It should be noted that the results of the SHSHL playoffs will have no impact on the Flyers Cup seedings which are scheduled to be announced on Sunday.

Monday, February 25

Class AA Quarterfinals

1 C.B. South vs. 8 Council Rock South 7:00 at Rev. Ice Gardens

4 C.B. West vs 5 Neshaminy 8:40 at Rev Ice Gardens

3 North Penn vs 6 Pennsbury 8:40 at Hatfield Ice

2 Pennridge vs 7 Central Bucks East 7:00 at Hatfield Ice

Wednesday, February 27

Class AA Semifinals

Upper Bracket winners 7:00 at Revolution Ice Gardens

Lower Bracket winners 7:00 at Hatfield Ice

Class A Semifinals

1 Lower Moreland vs 4 Hatboro-Horsham 8:45 at Rev. Ice Gardens

2 Wissahickon vs 3 Plymouth Whitemarsh 8:45 at Hatfield Ice

Thursday, February 28

Class AA Final 7:00 at Hatfield Ice

Class A Final 8:45 at Hatfield Ice

If you or a family member, or friend are looking for a dentist, Hockey Happenings is proud to recommend All Smiles Family Dentistry. They’re located at 1620 South Broad Street in Lansdale.

Call for an appointment at 215-616-0609 or e-mail them at allsmilesfamilydentistry@verizon.net. You can also find them on line at www.allsmileslansdale.com.

That’s All Smiles Family Dentistry of Lansdale.

C.B. West 8, North Penn 7

By Rick Woelfel

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—If you’re the type of hockey fan who favors an abundance of offense, you would have felt right at home at Hatfield Ice Thursday night. Central Bucks West and North Penn took turns finding the back of the net before Chris Trefz’s power-play goal with 1:30 left in the third period gave the Bucks an 8-7 win to bring the curtain down on the Suburban High School Hockey League’s regular season.

The winning goal came on a shot from the top of the right circle that beat North Penn goaltender Andrew Zanoni. The Knights’ Jared Albano was serving a slashing penalty at the time.

“I saw an open look,” Trefz said. “Our game plan was to put pucks on net the whole game. I just put it on and it went in,”

Trefz’s third goal of the game capped a comeback by the Bucks (9-7, 7-4 in SHSHL Class AA), who trailed 4-1 late in the first period before rallying to pick up their seventh win in their last nine games.

“Guys decided to come together,” Trefz said. “Our seniors did a great job of leading us; our goalie, Jeremy Kennard, our captain, Matt McCarthy, and a few other juniors did a great job of getting everybody motivated.

‘We’re doing a great job of buying into (Coach Dave Baun’s) system and we’re looking forward to the playoffs.”

The Knights (10-3-3, 7-2-2) built their early lead on goals from Nathan Oh, Tyler Greenstein, Tony Tuozzo, and Albano.

Joey DeYoung cut into the deficit when he scored for West with 2:40 left in the opening session and Owen Shields followed up with a goal just 12 seconds into the second frame.

Trefz’s first goal of the game 6:32 into the middle period not only tied the game but sent Nick Ebbinghaus, North Penn’s starting goaltender, to the bench.

The teams traded goals the rest of the way.

All told, 10 Bucks and 11 Knights got onto the scoresheet. Trefz had two assists to go with his hat trick. Lang provided three assists along with his goal. Nelson scored twice for North Penn and added an assist, while Oh contributed two assists along with his goal.

The Knights enjoyed a 46-29 shot advantage but Kennard withstood the barrage and finished with 39 saves.

North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis was pleased with much of what he saw. “We’re doing a lot of good things,” he said. “We’ve got to keep building on that. There are things we’ve got to clean up a little bit. We’ll talk about them Monday and be ready to go.

Notes: The SHSHL quarterfinals are set for Monday. North Penn will be seeded third in the field of eight, the Bucks will be seeded fourth.

North Penn 4 2 1—7

C.B. West 2 3 3—8

First-period goals: Nathan Oh (MP) unassisted, 2:54; Jake Lang (CBW) from Pavel Serhiayenka and Chris Trefz, 7:15; Tyler Greenstein (NP) from Josh Kaufhold and Jake Nelson, 8:58; Tony Tuozzo (NP) from Jared Albano and Ryan Cunningham, 11:13 (pp); Albano (NP) from Oh and Eric Sarbacker, 12:51; Joey DeYoung (CBW) from Ben Morris, 13:20.

Second-period goals: Owen Shields (CBW) from DeYoung, :12; Trefz (CBW) from Lang and Serhiayenka, 6:32; Trefz (CBW) from Kyle Burton and Lang, 7:04; Jake Nelson (NP) from Albano and Oh, 10:01; Thomas Boyle (MP) from Albano, 12:42.

Third-period goals: Kyle Burton (CBW) from Evan Hee and Trefz, 4:02; Nelson (NP) from Greenstein and Chase Mueller, 9:33; Dan Poliak (CBW) from Keith Orlando, 10:21; Trefz (CBW) from Lang, 14:30 (pp).

Shots: North Penn 46, C.B. West 29; Saves: Nick Ebbinghaus (NP) 8 and Andrew Zanoni (NP) 13; Jeremy Kennard (CBW) 39.

If you, a family member, or a friend are looking for a dentist, Hockey Happenings is proud to recommend All Smiles Family Dentistry. They’re located at 1620 South Broad Street in Lansdale.

Dr. Caroline Hsu, Dr. Azure Pelberg and their staff provide high-quality dental care in a caring, nurturing environment. They’ve been taking care of my teeth for 25 years and I would recommend them to anyone. Going to the dentist can be an unsettling experience, take my word for it, but everyone at All Smiles Family Dentistry will work to put you at ease.

Call for an appointment at 215-616-0609 or e-mail them HERE. You can also find them on line at www.allsmileslansdale.com.

That’s All Smiles Family Dentistry of Lansdale.

SHSHL Standings as of 2-21-19

Up to the minute as of 8:55 AM 2-21-19

Suburban High School Hockey League Standings as of 2-19-19

Class AA W L T Its

Central Bucks South (11-3-2) 9 0 2 20

*Pennridge (11-2-2) 8 1 1 17

North Penn (10-2-3) 7 1 2 16

*Neshaminy (7-4-4) 5 3 3 13

Central Bucks West (8-7) 6 4 0 12

*Pennsbury (6-7-3) 5 5 1 11

Central Bucks East (9-5-2) 5 5 1 11

Abington (4-7-4) 3 5 3 9

Council Rock South (6-7-2) 3 5 2 8

Truman (3-10-3) 2 7 2 6

William Tennent (3-10-2) 1 7 2 4

Souderton (2-13-1) 0 10 1 1

* Pennridge has the tiebreaker over North Penn

* Neshaminy has the tiebreaker over Central Bucks West

• Pennsbury has the tiebreaker over Central Bucks East

Class A W L T Pts

Lower Moreland (10-2-3) 7 2 3 17

Wissahickon (11-3-2) 7 3 2 16

Plymouth Whitemarsh (10-4-1) 6 4 1 13

Hatboro-Horsham (9-5-2) 5 5 2 12

Upper Dublin (3-12-0) 0 11 0 0

Thursday

Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. Upper Dublin 7:10 at Hatfield

Central Bucks West vs. North Penn 8:50 at Hatfield

Pennridge vs. Council Rock South 7:20 at Grundy

If you or a family member, or friend are looking for a dentist, Hockey Happenings is proud to recommend All Smiles Family Dentistry. They’re located at 1620 South Broad Street in Lansdale.

Call for an appointment at 215-616-0609 or e-mail them at allsmilesfamilydentistry@verizon.net. You can also find them on line at www.allsmileslansdale.comThat’s All Smiles Family Dentistry of Lansdale.