C.B. South 2 C.R. South 0

They set the pace early and didn’t let up.

Central Bucks South defeated three-time SHSHL champion Council Rock South, 2-0, in a National Division semifinal on Wednesday night at Grundy Arena.

Jamison Crouch put the Titans on the board just 36 seconds into the game, with assists from Joseph Slobodrian and Ryan Montagna.

It would prove to be the only goal the Titans needed, but Ryan Frey added an insurance goal 10 minutes later, also assisted by Slobodrian.

“That first goal really set the tone for us,” said Frey, a senior. “We knew we were going to get the first goal, it was just a matter of how. To get it on the first shift was huge. That gave us the momentum and it stuck with us the whole game.

“I thought our D zone was lot better than it usually is. We got pucks out when we needed to. We got traffic in front of their goalie early, that’s how we scored those two goals and overall I thought we played a very good game.”

The teams split in the regular season.

“We knew this was going to be a good game,” Frey said. “We knew we had to get on their goalie early and we did and that’s how we were able to win this one.

“I honestly didn’t think that lead was going to hold up. I thought it was going to be one of those games were we scored, then they scored and back and forth. I’m so glad we won.”

The Golden Hawks pulled goaltender Trey Prozzillo with 2:28 to go in the third period in a last-ditch effort to score, but were thwarted by CB South’s defense.

CB South advances to Thursday night’s final against top seed North Penn, an 11-1 winner over Pennsbury in the other semifinal.

“Winning this game gives us so much confidence,” Frey said. “We have three big wins coming into it. We have momentum and we’re going to go into that game with a lot of energy and hopefully pull out a nice win.”

CB South’s last league title was in 2018.

“It’s always exciting to be playing for a league title,” said CB South goaltender Nathan Napolitano, a junior. “Playing for a championship is always fun.”

The Titans have lost twice to the Knights this season.

“We want to play North Penn again,” Napolitano said. “We gave them two of our not-best efforts so we play them well, and we’ll see what happens.”

The early lead gave him confidence in the team.

“A lead is always easier than trying to keep your team in it,” he said. “When they got the first one, my job got easier.”

CB South 2 0 0—2

CR South 0 0 0—0

First-period goals: Jamison Crouch (CBS) from Joseph Slobodrian and Ryan Montagna, 0:36; Ryan Frey (CBS) from Slobodrian, 10:32

Shots: CB South 27, CR South 27; Saves: Nathan Napolitano (CBS) 27, Trey Petrillo (CRS) 25

Hatboro-Horsham 11 Springfield 1

Hatboro-Horsham broke open a one-goal game by scoring six times in the second period en route to an 11-1 win over Springfield Wednesday night in the SHSHL Class A semifinal at Hatfield Ice.

The contest was stopped with 1:56 left in the third period via the 10-goal rule.

The second-seeded Hatters (16-3), the defending champions, will face top-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh at 8:30 Thursday night at the same venue as they try to complete a successful title defense.

Vince Graziani led the barrage for the Hatters with a four-goal outburst. Nate Nemchinov scored twice and five other players scored one goal each.

Patrick Murphy made 35 saves in goal.

Lincoln Coleman provided Springfield’s only goal, in the third period.

Graziani opened the scoring seven seconds into the game but that was the only goal of the opening period.

He added two goals in a pan of 1:53 early in the second period and the Hatter pulled away after that.

“The beginning of the game was a real battle,” said Hatboro-Horsham coach Shane Smith. “We scored in the first minute and then it was back and forth. We ended up pulling away for the win.

“The team is excited and looked forward to tomorrow’s game against Plymouth Whitemarsh.”

Springfield coach Don Quinn credited his team for its effort.

“Now how we wanted it to end,” he said, “but I’m proud of my team for playing with respect and class to the very end of the game.”

For Quinn, the evening marked the end of an era. He coached his older son, Owen last season and younger son Grayson completed his senior season Wednesday night.

“I will cherish every minute I got to coach them and share the ice with them,” he said.”

Springfield 0 0 1—1

Hatboro-Horsham 1 6 4—11

First-period goal: Vince Graziani (HH) unassisted :07

Second-period goal: Graziani (HH) from Luca Staffieri, 5:24; Graziani (HH) from Evan Snow, 7:17; Nate Nemchinov (HH) from Staffieri and Kyle Roesing, 10:08; Staffieri (HH) unassisted, 14:47; Joseph Mangin (HH) from Aidan North, 16:33; Graziani (HH) from Nemchinov, 16:41

Third-period goals Giovanni Bucci (HH) from Mangin, 1:08; Lincoln Coleman (S) from Gavin McManus, 4:09; Roesing (HH) from Nick Gallo and Bucci, 9:52; Nemchinov (HH) unassisted, 13:26; Snow (HH) from Cole Meyer, 15:04

Shots: Springfield 36, Hatboro-Horsham 53; Saves Emmett Kline (S) 42, Patrick Murphy (HH) 35

C.B. South 2 C.B. East 1

Ryan Frey’s goal with six minutes left in the third period gave Central Bucks South a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Central Bucks Easy Monday night in the opening round of the SHSHL National Division playoffs at Hatfield Ice.

The third-seeded Titans (15-5) will face second seed Council Rock South in a semifinal game on Wednesday. The sixth-seeded Patriots (6-12-1) will be idle until next week when they will face Conestoga in the opening round of the Class AA Flyers Cup.

It was East who struck first Monday night. Ethan Cenci’s goal 4:43 into the second period gave the Patriots a 1-0 lead. Joey Slobodrian tied the game for South 2:44 into the final period.

Frey’s game winner came off assists from Dom Gibson and Dom DiMarino.

Nathan Napoliano got the win in goal, making 17 saves. Cameron Young game up big in goal for the Patriots, making 46 saves.

“The team stayed the course,” said South coach Josh Sklar. “Everyone bought into the system and kept pushing.

“We ran into a hot goalie and we just needed to keep shooting and traffic in front.”

Sklar told his players to take a back-to-basics approach.

“We told them to simplify their game,” he said, “and make the smart, easy decision with the puck”

• The Titans are seeking their first SHSHL title since 2018 when they won their last of four straight.

Central Bucks East 0 1 0—1

Central Bucks South 0 0 2—2

Second-period goal: Ethan Cenci (CBE) from Samuel Gottesman and Tyson Cowan, 4:43

Third-period goals: Joey Slobodrian (CBS) from Ryan Frey and John Lord, 2:44; Frey (CBS) from Dom Gibson and Dom DiMarino 11:00

Shots: C.B. East 18, C.B. South 48; Saves: Cameron Young (CBE) 46, Nathan Napolitano (CBS) 17

The Hockey Happenings podcast previewing the Flyers Cup tournament is available HERE

SHSHL Playoffs Kick Off Monday

The SHSHL playoffs kick off Monday night with two national Division first-round games. Council Rock South, which has a bye into the semifinals, is the two-time defending National Division champion.

Pennridge enters the postseason as the defending Class AA Flyers Cup champion and state champion, having claimed those distinctions twice in the last three seasons. The Rams last won the SHSHL title in 2022. C.B. East’s last title cane in 2011

Central Bucks South’s last SHSHL National title came in 2018 when the Titans completed a run of four consecutive league titles, six in seven seasons, and seven in nine seasons. Pennsbury, which won the Class AA Flyers Cup title in 2023 won the SHSHL National title in 2021.

North Penn last won an SHSHL title in 2014.

Pennridge (12-7, 11-7 in National Division)

Coach: Jeff Montagna

Players to watch Shane Dachowski 32 goals, 25 assists, 57 points; James Rush 24-24-48; Jacob Winton 2.58 GAA, .918 sae percentage

Central Bucks East (10-8-1, 10-7-1 in National Division)

Coach: Jeff Mitchell

Players to watch: Alex Wilson 14 goals, 6 assists, 20 points; Jaden Young 10-6-16; Cole Breen 4.06 GAA, .875 save percentage

The winner will play top-seeded Council Rock South on Wednesday in the semifinals

Central Bucks South (15-5, 15-3 in National Division)

Coach: Shaun McGinty

Players to watch: Sean Cutter 16 goals, 19 assists, 35 points; Jeff Kvecher 12-21-33; Jake Matkowski 3.75 GAA, .838 save percentage; Nate Napolitano 3.81, .859

Pennsbury (7-12, 6-12 in National Division)

Coach: Ryan Daley

Players to watch: Chris Sarver 11 goals, 23 assists, 34 points; Shane Hicks 14-17-31; Brendan Milliken 5.71 GAA, .810 save percentage.

The winner will play second-seeded North Penn on Wednesday in the semifinals

Post your link on Hockey Happenings starting today through the duration and the Flyers Cup and state tournament. Use the contact link above or e-mail us at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com

SHSHL Playoff Puzzle Solved

The last pieces of the puzzle have been filled in and the field is set for the SHSHL postseason.

Six National Division and three American Division teams will begin playoff action on Monday.

Three games Wednesday night solidified the final field.

Council Rock South 5 Neshaminy 2—Jordan Sarne and Jake Weiner each scored two goals as the Golden Hawks clinched the National Division regular-season title Wednesday night at Grundy Arena. Jeremy Rayher also scored for South (18-2, 17-1 in the division) who built a 5-0 lead before Ryan DeMatteo scored two third-period goals for the ‘Skins (6-12-1, 5-12-1).

The result means Pennsbury will be the sixth and final seed for the National Division playoffs.

See below for the complete list.

Central Bucks East 3 Pennridge 2—Dave Brown scored a shorthanded goal with 12:23 left in regulation to give the Patriots the win over the Rams at Hatfield Ice. The result locks the Rams (12-7, 11-7 in the division) into the fourth position for the National Division playoffs. The Patriots (10-8-1, 10-7-1) were already assured of the fifth seed. Gavin Widmer and Tyson Cowan also scored for East. James Embert and Kaden Gunning scored for Pennridge.

Springfield 4 Plymouth Whitemarsh 2—Kellen Warman broke a 2-2 tie when he scored with 2:42 left in the second period to put the Spartans in front for good Wednesday night at Grundy Arena. Gabriel Wells added an insurance goal in the third period as Springfield (8-8) closed its regular season with six consecutive wins to claim the third and final playoff spot from the American Division. The loss was the first for Plymouth Whitemarsh (15-1) which will enter the postseason as the division’s top seed. Hatboro-Horsham, which closes its regular season Thursday night, will be the second seed.

National Division Seedings

Council Rock South
North Penn
Central Bucks South
Pennridge
Central Bucks East
Pennsbury

American Division Seedings

Plymouth Whitemarsh
Hatboro-Horsham
Springfield

SHSHL Update 1-31-24

National Division W L T OW OL Pts

@ Pennridge (15-0-1) 14 0 1 1 0 0 29

@ Council Rock South (15-1-0) 14 1 0 0 0 28

@ Cent. Bucks South (10-5-1) 10 4 1 0 2 23

@ Central Bucks East (9-4-1) 9 4 2 0 0 19

North Penn (8-6-0) 8 6 0 0 0 16

Souderton (6-9-0) 6 9 0 4 1 13

Pennsbury (3-11-0) 3 11 0 0 2 8

Cent. Bucks West (3-11-1) 3 11 1 0 1 8

Council Rock North (2-13-0) 2 13 0 0 1 5

Neshaminy (1-11-2) 1 11 2 0 0 4

American Division W L T OW OL Pts

@ Plymouth White. (10-3) 9 1 0 0 1 19

@ Bensalem (9-3) 7 3 0 1 1 15

@ Abington (6-5-1) 5 3 0 0 0 10

Wissahickon (2-11) 2 9 0 1 4

Springfield (1-12) 1 8 0 0 0 2

@ Clinched playoff spots

National Division Scoring G A Pts

Kevin Pico (Pr) 25 36 61

Andrew Savona (Pr) 31 27 58

Maxwell Ryon (Soud) 33 18 51

Shane Dachowski (Pr) 23 27 50

Kevin Koles (CRS) 22 22 44

Jake Weiner (CRS) 23 18 41

Seth Grossman (Soud) 20 20 40

Blaize Pepe (CRS) 15 21 36

Nolan Shingle (NP) 6 22 28

Illia Mukhin (CRS) 11 16 27

American Division Scoring G A Pts

Alex Hood (Bens) 44 14 58

Alex Bazylevich (Bens) 11 19 30

David Branigan (PW) 17 12 29

Seamus Donofry (Ab) 6 22 28

Dylan Novitski (PW) 17 10 27

Tim Murphy (PW) 9 17 26

Daniel Guller (PW) 7 18 25

Owen Quinn (Sp) 13 9 22

Jason Segal (PW) 11 11 22

Michael Romano (Ab) 10 9 19

Cole Salayda (Bens) 6 13 19

SHSHL Playoff Pairings Announced

Pairings and game times have been finalized for the first leg of the Suburban High School Hockey League playoffs.

Two first-round National-round National Division games are set for Wednesday, February 22 along with the single American Division semifinal.

Wednesday 2-22

National Division

(3) Pennsbury vs (6) C.B. East 7:20 at Grundy

(4) Neshaminy vs. (5) C.B. South 9:00 at Grundy

(1) Council Rock South and (2) Pennridge have first-round byes
Semifinals March 1

Championship game March 2

American Division

(2) Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. (3) Quakertown 8:45 at Hatfield Ice

(1) Abington has a first-round bye

Championship game March 1

SHSHL Recap

National/Continental-Class AA W L T OTL Pts

Pennridge (17-0-1) 9 0 1 0 19

Council Rock South (13-1-2-1) 9 0 1 0 19

Pennsbury (11-4-1) 8 2 0 0 16

Central Bucks South (6-6-1-2) 6 3 0 1 13

Neshaminy (8-6-1) 5 5 0 0 10

Council Rock North (9-7) 5 5 0 0 10

Central Bucks East (6-9) 5 5 0 0 10

Souderton (7-8) 4 6 0 0 8

Bensalem (3-11) 1 9 0 0 2

Central Bucks West (5-9) 2 8 0 0 2

North Penn (1-13) 0 10 0 0 0

American Division-Class A W L T OTL Pts

Abington (15-1) 12 0 0 0 24

Plymouth Whitemarsh (11-5) 9 3 0 0 18

Wissahickon (9-8) 8 4 0 0 16

Quakertown (7-9) 7 5 0 0 14

William Tennent (3-12) 3 9 0 0 6

Upper Dublin (3-10-0-1) 2 8 0 1 5

Hatboro-Horsham (1-13) 0 11 0 0 0

Overall records include playoff games

Playoff Results

Class AA
Quarterfinals

Council Rock South 9 Souderton 0

Council Rock North 4 Central Bucks South 3 OT

Pennridge 5 Central Bucks East 1

Pennsbury 5 Neshaminy 2

Semifinals

Council Rock South 7 Council Rock North 5

Pennridge 6 Pennsbury 3

Finals

Pennridge 5 Council Rock South 4 OT

Class A

Semifinals

Abington 6 Quakertown 2

Wissahickon 6 Plymouth Whitemarsh 4

Finals
Abington 4 Wissahickon 2

Scoring

Class AA G A Pts

Karson Grainey (CRN) 29 15 44

Shane Siegmund (PB) 18 24 42

Brendan Macainsh (Pb) 23 16 39

Kevin Pico (Pr) 18 15 33

Kevin Koles (CRS) 13 20 33

Nick Hahn (CRN) 10 21 31

Shane Dachowski (Pr) 18 7 25

Aeryk Lehrhaupt (Pr) 17 8 25

Jackson Accardi (CRN) 16 9 25

Max Gallagher (Nesh) 14 11 25

David Vergules (CRS) 11 12 23

Class A G A Pts

Luke Weikel (PW) 38 21 59

Aidan Keogh (PW) 18 41 59

Matt Kramer (Ab 30 20 50

Joe Stelacio (Ab) 18 25 43

Pat Stelacio (Ab) 24 14 38

A.J. Pounds (Wiss) 19 17 36

Will Hussa (Wiss) 19 15 34

Matthew Flynn (PW) 9 23 32

Matt Cholaj (Ab) 16 15 31

Danny Hussa (Wiss) 21 9 30

Jack Bocul (UD) 22 7 29

Nick Hussa (Wiss ) 13 16 29

Abington 4 Wissahickon 2

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP —Abington worked a very long time, all season in fact, for the right to hoist the SHSHL American Division (Class A) championship trophy, all season in fact.

But in the wake of their 4-2 win over Wissahickon Thursday night at Hatfield Ice, could be argued the top-seeded Galloping Ghosts had been working for far longer than that; Thursday’s win gave Abington its seventh SHSHL title but its first since 2004.

“It’s a huge win for our program,” said Abington coach Ken Brozowski. “We talked about before the game, about the history that Abington has. And it was important for us to come through and win this game.

Matt Cholaj and Pat Stelacio each scored two goals and each added an assist as top-seeded Abington won its 15^th straight game after opening the season with a loss to new SHSHL Class AA champion Pennridge.

“We lost the first game of the season,” Chelaj said, “but we came out hot after that We really didn’t let much get to us. We kept our heads in every game.

“It’s good when all four of our lines can really get going and score goals. All four of our lines are putting up points this year and it was just an overall good season.”

Cholaj put Abington in front 5:19 into the opening period. A.J. Pounds answered for third-seeded Wissahickon (9-8) at the 9:42 mark.
Abington’s next three goals came on power plays. Stelacio put his team in front for the second and last time with 3:11 left in the opening session before Abington broke the game open early in the second stanza thanks to consecutive Trojan penalties that gave the Galloping Ghosts a two-man advantage; Cholaj and Stelacio each scored goals during that interlude to put their team up by three goals just 3:01 into the middle period.

Will Hussa made it a 4-2 game at the 6:34 mark. Wissahickon had no further success against Ben Panella in the Abington net although the Trojans had two goals disallowed during the game.

Abington is classified Class AA for the Flyers Cup and as the 14^th seed will face third seed Council Rock South on Tuesday at Hatfield Ice. Wissahickon is seeded 10^th in Class A and will go against seventh-seeded West Chester Henderson Monday at Ice Line

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Pennridge 5 Council Rock South 4 OT

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—There wasn’t much to choose between Pennridge and Council Rock South Thursday night. Perhaps it was fitting that the Rams and the Golden Hawks went into overtime in their SHSHL Class AA championship game. It took 4 minutes, 27 seconds of extra time before Shane Dachowski found the back of the net to give the Rams a 5-4 win in front of a packed house at Hatfield Ice.

The winning sequence began with a long pass from Trey Mikulich from inside the Pennridge blue line up the center of the ice. Dachowski collected it in full stride and went in on goal before beating South netminder Carson Lopez with a backhander.

“We knew we weren’t losing tonight,” Dachowski said. “We just went out there and did it.”

Second-seeded Pennridge, which remained unbeaten at 16-0-1 trailed 3-1 late in the second period before rallying win its third SHSHL title; the previous two came in 2008 and ’19.

Top-seeded Council Rock South (13-2-2) spent much of the first period killing four penalties and portions of the second period killing two more. Matt Constantini gave the Golden Hawks a 1-0 at the 10:34 mark but drew and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty while celebrating the goal.

Jack Lowery tied the game for Pennridge
“You can’t win games shorthanded,” said South coach Joe Houk. ”We literally skated shorthanded the first half of that. You can’t play catchup like that.

But in short order, it was the Rams playing catchup after Daniel Filippov and Gavin Nisenzon scored goals in a span of 2:06 to give the Golden Hawks a 3-1 lead with 3:07 left in the middle period.

Cooper White brought the Rams closer before the second period ended and Andrew Savona tied the game 1:57 into the third when he beat Lopez from the left faceoff circle.
Kevin Pico gave Pennridge its first lead of the lead at the 6:44 mark when he scored off a South turnover.

As the final minute of regulation counted down, the Rams fought to hold their lead but David Vergules emerged victorious from a scramble in front of Ram goaltender Ryan Pico to tie the game with 40 seconds left in regulation. The goal served as a prelude to an overtime session that brought the evening to a dramatic conclusion.

“That was one of the best games I’ve ever been a part of,” said Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna. It was back and forth, it was everything that a championship game should be.”

• Pennridge is seeded first for the Class AA Flyers Cup and will face 16^th seeded Ridley Tuesday night at Hatfield Ice. The Golden Hawks are seeded third and will face 14^th-seeded Abington on Tuesday, also at Hatfield Ice.

Pennridge 0 2 2 1—5

C.R. South 1 2 1 0—4

First-period goal: Matt Constantini (CRS) from Julian Wagenman and Kevin Koles, 10:34

Second-period goals: Jack Lowery (P) unassisted, 11:23; Dan Filippov (CRS) from Blaise Pepe, 11:47; Gavin Nisenzon (CRS) from Pepe, 13:53 (pp), Cooper White (P) from Andrew David and Andrew Lizak, 14:59

Third-period goals: Andrew Savona (P) from Kevin Pico and Aidan Boyle, 1:57 (pp); Pico (P) from Savona and Tyler Manto, 6:44; David Vergules (CRN) from Kyle Boss, 19:20

Overtime goal: Shane Dachowski (P) from Trey Mikulich, 4:27

Shots: Pennridge 48, Council Rock North 37; Saves: Ryan Pico (P) 33, Carson Lopez (CRN) 43