BRISTOL—For a hockey team finding its way, it was a step forward. Pennridge took things one shift at a time Thursday night and left Grundy Arena with a 3-0 win over Neshaminy in a SHSHL National matchup.
What the Rams (2-5-1, 2-5 in the division) wasn’t flashy or spectacular to watch. But when you have only 13 skaters in uniform, efficiency trumps style. And that efficiency included rotating just three defensemen over the course of the 51 minutes.
“Tonight was probably the best defensive game we’ve played,” said winning coach Jeff Montagna. “We’re running three {defensemen} every game and they’re starting to figure out how to play with three Ds, and get through an entire game. They’re rally coming along.”
Having a quality goaltender helps as well Junior Andrew Slutsky stopped all 23 shots he saw in support of his teammates.
“Playing for a team with nine {veterans} is like motivation,” he said. You keep it up for them.”
Neshaminy goaltender Thomas Fox was perhaps even more impressive at the other end of the ice. Looking like Anything but the freshman he is, Fox registered 36 saves.
“The future is bright for him,” said Neshaminy coach Bill Mooney. He played real well. He’s very aggressive, he attacks the pick.
“He makes the first save and that’s all you can ever ask of a goalie.”
The second period was more than half gone before Ryan Burke delivered the evening’s first goal on a shot from the high slot James Rush made it a 2-0 game with 4:13 left the middle period.
Neshaminy (2-5 overall and in the division) had an opening when Landon Bishop and Dean Venner drew penalties in the final half minute of the second frame. As a result, Neshaminy had a two-man advantage for 93 seconds. But the ‘Skins couldn’t capitalize.
“We were hoping to a little momentum turn there,” Mooney said. “We had opportunities {but} their goalie made the saves.
“They have some seasoned guys out there that have been around for a bit so they know how to play.”
Rush sealed the verdict with an empty-net goal with 1:17 remaining.
Montagna stresses the importance of hi team knowing its limitations, specifically the size of its roster.
“They know there’s a certain way they have to play” he said, “and you have to stick to that. You can’t try and be someone you’re not out there with the roster we’re running.
“That has been the biggest thing for us so far. These guys understand it. You saw tonight in a 2-0 game {until the finish} it was defense first, second, and third.”
Pennridge 0 2 1—3
Neshaminy 0 0 0—0
Second-period goals: Ryan Burke (P) from Kaden Gunning, 8:57 James Rush (P) from Georgios Siokos and Landon Bishop, 12:47
Third-period goal: Rush (P) unassisted, 15:43 (en)
Shots: Pennridge 39, Neshaminy 23; Saves: Andrew Slutsky (P) 23, Thomas Fox (N) 36
