APAC Update for 12-20-19

Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference

W L OW OL Pts GF GA

St. Joseph’s Prep (4-5) 3 0 0 2 11 17 14

Holy Ghost Prep (8-3) 2 2 1 0 8 19 14

Malvern Prep (3-4) 2 2 0 1 7 22 23

LaSalle (5-5) 0 2 1 0 2 14 9

Game of Friday, December 21

Holy Ghost Prep 2, St. Josephs Prep 1 OT

Game of Thursday, December 19

La Salle 9, St. Augustine 3

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APAC Update 12-3-19

Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference

W L OW OL Pts GF GA

St. Joseph’s Prep (4-4) 3 0 0 1 10 16 12

Malvern Prep (3-4) 2 2 0 1 7 22 23

Holy Ghost Prep (7-3) 2 2 0 0 6 17 13

LaSalle (4-5) 0 2 1 0 2 14 9

Game of Wednesday, December 11

Holy Ghost Prep 7, Malvern Prep 4

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La Salle 4, St. Joseph’s Prep 3 (shootout)

PHILADELPHIA— Wednesday’s Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game between La Salle and host St. Josephs Prep was divided into two distinct segments.

The first lasted 39 minutes and change and saw the teams score two goals apiece but settle nothing. The conclusion encompassed the remainder of regulation, overtime, and a shootout and featured an abundance of drama before a shootout goal from Max Maddalo that gave the Explorers a 4-3 win at the University of Pennsylvania’s recently refurbished Class of ’23 Arena. Moments earlier, Jimmy Craig scored for the Hawks with nine tenths of a second remaining in regulation to force overtime.

With the win, La Salle’s record improved to 3-3 overall, and 0-1-1-0 in the APAC). It was a win the visitors badly needed. Just as there are crossroads fights in professional boxing, Monday’s affair was a crossroads game of sorts for the Explorers, though the season is still young.

“The question we’re asking right now is who are we as a team?” said La Salle head coach Wally Muehlbronner. “We’re still trying to figure it out. We have so many new faces here. I think we will figure it out, but we haven’t yet.”

Nolan Woudenberg score two of La Salle’s regulation goals but the Explorers; number-one star was indisputably Aidan McCabe who made 27 saves over the course of regulation and overtime plus three more in the shootout. The Hawks (2-1 overall and in the APAC) outshot the Explorers 30-17.

“Our defense kept the shots to the outside, the senior said. “There were a couple times where they got shots from the slot, but I was able to make some saves and keep us in it and we wound up getting it done in the shootout.”

No one was more impressed with McCabe’s performance then St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin. “I thought we were the better team today,” he said. “Not by much, but I think of the opportunities we had right in front of him. He stood on his head and made some unbelievable saves where we had pinpoint shots. Maybe if they were one-timers instead of catch and shoot he doesn’t get to those but he made every save that he had. He had to in the big moments. That was the game right there for them.”

Woudenberg and the Hawks’ Joseph Samango traded second-period goals. Maddalo gave the Explorers a 2-1 lead 2:49 into the third frame before Michael Urbani tied the game for the Hawks at the 7:05 mark, Woundenberg scored his second goal of the game with 3:20 left in the period to set the state for the finish of regulation and all that came after.

McCabe noted the pace of play picked up in the late going. “I think the game started out really slow,” he said, “and it gradually picked up and it gradually slowed own again until the last nine minutes.

“And then we got back to the mindset of just getting pucks to the net,” he said, “and just shooting because we knew we would be able to score.”

LaSalle 0 1 2 0 (1)—4

St. Joseph’s Prep 0 1 2 0 (0)—3

Second-period goals: Nolan Woudenberg (L) unassisted, 8:26; Joseph Samango (SJP) from Jimmy Craig, (second assist unavailable) 11:43

Third-period goals: Max Maddalo (L) from Nate Benner and Ryan Ferry, 2:49; Michael Urbani (SJP) unassisted, 7:05; Woudenberg (L) unassisted 12:40; Craig (SJP) from Andrew Centrella, 15:59;

Shootout Goal: Maddalo (L)

Shots: LaSalle 17, St. Joseph’s Prep 30; Saves: Aidan McCabe (L) 27, Rocco Bruno (SJP) 14

By Rick Woelfel

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Jimmy Craig Showing the Way for the Hawks

Jimmy Craig’s season at St. Joseph’s Prep has gotten off to a solid start. The senior forward has recorded a goal and two assists in the Hawks’ first two starts, both Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference wins over Malvern Prep.

Craig says he and his teammates approached the start of the season with right mindset. “I think we came into both games very clear,” he said, “and I think that’s what helped us get a jump on the season.”

Craig, is also one of his team’s captains. The Hawks’ roster features an abundance of underclassmen and he recognizes the importance of the veterans showing way for their younger teammates.

“I think it’s very important that we show the younger guys what it’s all about,” he said, “especially early in the season.

“We visited the Flyers Cup championship last year (where the Hawks lost to LaSalle) and I think that that rubs off. We know what it takes to make it to the championship this year and I think pushing the younger guys, skating with them, just being a good teammate, that’s what it’s all about.”

Craig stresses the importance of being a good teammate and embracing the team concept. “I think it takes someone to recognize that not one player can do it all himself,” he said, “and that playing as a team is how you win games and recognizing there is no ‘I’ in team and just trying to being everybody together in one cohesive unit.”

Craig, a Haverford Township native, got a late start in hockey. His father played the game at St. John Neumann High but he himself was in the third or fourth grade before he strapped on skates for the first time at the Skatium.

“I knew some kids that played ice hockey,” he said, “and I was always in the street games, but I finally decided to start playing hockey.”

Craig played other sports as well, notably football and baseball, but once he reached high school he set them aside. “Once I got to high school, hockey just kind of took over,” he said. “Maybe it’s the speed, it’s something about the game, I just love playing.”

When it came time to choose a high school, Craig was drawn to St. Joseph’s Prep after making a visit. “I visited there and it felt like home,” he said. “I like the motto ‘Men for and with others.’ I think that really took hold.

“I think the biggest adjustment was the workload, but as far as the structure of the school, I grew up wearing a uniform every day. I knew a lot of kids growing in from playing different sports so I didn’t really have a hard time making friends, but I think the workload and having to study more. That was the hardest adjustment to make.”

Like many incoming high-school students, Craig had to learn the concept of time management. “I think tine management was a big adjustment,” he said. “I think that goes along with the workload and having to manage your time with sports and work and having due deadlines and having to turn work in.”

On addition to playing for the Hawks, Craig skates for Team Philadelphia. There are numerous demands on his time and energy but he understands the importance of setting priorities.

“School comes first so if there’s ever a time where it’s a hockey practice or school project, then you’ve got to stay home and do the project.”

To find out more about St. Joseph’s Prep CLICK HERE

St. Joseph’s Prep 6, Malvern Prep 3

Jeff Hammond scored three goals to lead St. Joseph’s Prep to a 6-3 win over Malvern Prep on Wednesday in an APAC game at the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 Rink.

Ben Briskin, Dominic Fantozzi, and Matt Moresco also scored for the Hawks (2-0 in the APAC) who scored three times in the third period

Matt Harris scored two for the Friars (1-2) who also got a goal from Andrew Harder.

A shorthanded goal from Briskin gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead after the first period. Hammond and Harris traded goals in the second stanza before Fantozzi gave his team a two-goal lead at the 10:55 mark.

The third period saw the two team combine for five goals in span of 10:21. Two of St. Joseph Prep’s three goals came on power plays.

Malvern Prep 0 1 2—3

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 2 3—6

First-period goals: Ben Briskin (HGP) from Jimmy Craig, 13:16 (sh)

Second-period goals: Jeffrey Hammond (SJP) from Connor Burman, :46; Matt Harris (HP) from Ryan Sambuco and Jack Constabile, 9:00; Dominic Fantozzi (SJP) from Andrew Centrella, 10:55

Third-period goals: Hammond (SJP) from Centrella and Craig, 5:00 (pp); Andrew Harder (MP) from Sambuco and Harris, 5:46; Matt Moresco (SJP) from Fantozzi and Michael Urbani, 8:18 (pp); Hattis (MP) from Constabile, 12:45; Hammond (SJP) from Centrella, 15:21 (en)

Shots: Malvern Prep 21, St. Joseph’s Prep 23; Saves: Jack Davis (MP) 17, Andrew Custer (SJP) 18

APAC Update 11-8-19

Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference

Won Lost OTW OTL. Pts GF GA

Holy Ghost Prep (2-0) 1 0 0 0 3 4 1

St. Joseph’s Prep (1-0) 1 0 0 0 3 4 3

LaSalle (2-1) 0 1 0 0 0 1 4

Malvern Prep (0-1) 0 1 0 0 0 3 4

Games of Wednesday 11-7

St. Joseph’s Prep 4, Malvern Prep 3

Holy Ghost Prep 9, North Penn 1

St. Joseph’s Prep 4, Malvern Prep 3

By Rick Woelfel

WEST GOSHEN—St Joseph’s Prep got its hockey season off to a fast start on Wednesday. The Hawks built a 3-0 second-period lead and went on to hold off Malvern Prep 4-3 in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game at Ice Line.

Austin Amato, Jeffrey Hammond, Jimmy Craig, and Nick Storti all scored goals for the Hawks, who were Class AAA Flyers Cup finalists a year ago.

Stori scored what proved to be the game winner with 9:38 gone in the second period when he dumped a puck in from the left point that eluded Friar goaltender Anthony Perti.

The Hawks started building their lead when Amato scored off a turnover at the 8:09 mark of the first period, and continued when Hammond (on a power play) and Craig added goals 11 seconds apart to give The Prep a 3-0 lead.

Storti, who would be heard from later on, said the quick start was invaluable. “It was really important to get a jump on these guys,” he said. “They’re really good.”

Andrew Harder got Malvern Prep (0-1) on the scoreboard at the 6:29 mark of the period and it took just 11 seconds for his teammate Ryan Sambuco to make it a one-goal game after a burst up the center of the ice.

Storti’s effort gave his team a two-goal advantage. “I just wanted to dump it in and it kind of went in on him,” he said.”

Down by two goals heading into the third period Malvern Prep, which was playing its first game for new coach Bill Keenan, kept battling to the final buzzer.

Stori and his teammates did their part by keeping the pressure on their opponents. “It was important to get pucks deep and keep them out of our zone as much as possible,” he said. “Work the puck down low a lot.”

Harrison Campbell scored the the day’s last goal with 54 seconds remaining but in the end the his came up one goal short.

Keenan was officially named Malvern Prep’s head coach on Wednesday, replacing Dave Dorman who resigned at the end of last week.

“I thought we got off to a pretty slow start,” he said. “I think we collectively came together in the second period. When we got that first goal we started to gather it together and just came out in the third and worked hard.”

The Friars had a 29-19 edge in shots. Hawks’ netminder Rocco Bruno recorded 26 saves.

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 3 0—4
Malvern Prep 0 2 1—3
First-period goal: Austin Amato (SJP) unassisted, 8:09
Second-period goals: Jeffrey Hammond (SJP) from Nick Storti and Andrew Centrella, 2:11 (pp); Jimmy Craig (SJP) from Matthew Moresco, 2:22; Andrew Harder (MP) from Matthew Harris and Ryan Sambuco, 6:14; Sambuco (MP) unassisted, 6:29; Storti (SJP) unassisted, 9:38
Third-period goal: Harrison Campbell (MP) from Chris Blango, 15:06
Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 19, Malvern Prep 29; Saves: Rocco Bruno (SJP) 26, Anthony Perti (MP) 15
Records: St. Joseph’s Prep (1-0, 1-0 APAC); Malvern Prep (0-1, 0-1)

Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference Preparing for Year Two

The start of the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference’s 2019-20 season is at hand. Here’s a look at the conference’s four member schools.

LaSalle

Coach: Wally Muehlbronner (22nd season)

Last year: 22-5, 8-0-1-0 in APAC; won league, Class AAA Flyers Cup, and state titles

Key players: Sr. Aidan McCabe (G); Sr. Nathan Benner (F); Sr. Matt Bant (G); Sr. Collin Kleiser (D); Sr. David Brunner (F); Sr. Ryan Ferry (F); Jr. Liam Gross (G); Jr. Andrew Budzynski (D); Jr. David Kimmel (F); So. Nolan Woudenberg (D).

Outlook: The Explorers have some experience back, most notably in goal, where McCabe was a first-team All-APAC choice a year ago, but there are also some holes to fill; there will be 12 new players on the varsity roster.

Muehlbronner sees his team as being in transition mode this season, but the defending APAC, Flyers Cup, and state champions should still be very dangerous.

Holy Ghost Prep

Coach: Gump Whiteside (11^th season)

Last year: 9-14, 1-5-0-3 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Sean Joyce (G); Sr. Byron Hartley (F); Sr. Dan Behr (F); Jr. Bobby Baesher (G); Jr. E.J. Pohl (F); Jr. Evan Mudrick (F); Jr. Jimmy Littley (D); So. Sean Marshall (F); So. Luke Panepresso (D); So. Colin Moore (D); Fr. Anthony Sparo (F).

Outlook: The Firebirds will feature a blend of experience and new faces. Ten seniors are gone from last year’s team but Joyce is a veteran in goal and Baesher is also solid between the pipes. Hartley, who will wear the captain’s C, will be counted on for scoring punch. Mudrick and Pohl are also experienced returnees.

Malvern Prep

Coach: Dave Dorman (seventh season)

Last year: 13-6, 5-3-1-0 in APAC

Key players: Sr. John Dewey (F); Sr. Kyle Dorman (D); Sr. Chris Blango (D); Jr. Andrew Harder (D); Jr. Ryan Sambuco (F); Jr., Jack Constabile (F); So. Harrison Campbell (D); So. Quinn Dougherty (D); So. Matt Harris (F); So. Pierre Larocque (F).

Outlook: The Friars will put a veteran team on the ice this season, particularly on the blue line where there is an abundance of experience. There is talent up front as well where Constabile and Sambuco are among the returnees. They’ll be joined Larocque, who missed last season with an injury. Several contenders are vying to start in goal.

St. Joseph’s Prep

Coach: David Giacomin (seventh season)

Last season: 8-18, 1-7-1-0 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Jimmy Craig (F); Sr. Austin Amato (F); Sr. Body Piourde (F); Sr. Ben Briskin (F) Sr. Michael Urbani (D); Jr. Ryan Newby (D); Jr. Andrew Custer (G); So. Andrew Centrella (D); So. Matt Moresco (D).

Outlook: The Hawks reached the Class AAA Flyers Cup final a year ago. This year’s team will be a fairly young group with a new starting goaltender, but Giacomin is impressed with the group’s enthusiasm and hockey IQ.

“There is a strong belief that we have some unfinished business to attend to this season,” he said.

Craig and Urbani will serve as captains. Along with Amato and Briskin, they are the most experienced of the returnees.

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APAC Names All-Conference Team

The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference has named its inaugural All-Conference team. A total of 13 players were selected in voting by the four conference coaches.

Conference, Flyers Cup, and state Class AAA champion LaSalle had six players selected, Holy Ghost Prep and St. Joseph’s Prep three players each, and Malvern Prep one.

First Team

F Nick Martino Sr. Malvern Prep

F Sam Lipkin So. LaSalle

F Daniel Sambuco So. LaSalle

D Vinnie Borgesi Fr. St. Joseph’s Prep

D Nick Cimapitti Sr. St. Josephs Prep

G Aidan McCabe Jr. LaSalle

Second Team

F Alex D’Angelo Sr. Holy Ghost Prep

F Michael Casey So. LaSalle

F Byron Hartley Jr. Holy Ghost Prep

D Jan Olenginski So. LaSalle

D Zach Baker Sr. LaSalle

G Sean Joyce Jr. Holy Ghost Prep

G Dan McGill Sr. St. Joseph’s Prep

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Flyers Cup Superlatives

LaSalle which will face off against St. Joseph’s Prep in Sunday’s Class AAA final, holds the record for the most Flyers Cup titles with 10. Malvern Prep is next with 9. West Chester Rustin, which faces Hershey for the Class A title on Sunday, has won eight. The Unionville girls have also won eight. Unionville will face West Chester Rustin for the girls title Sunday.

LaSalle (10)— Class AAA in 1996, ’98, 2008, ’09, 2011-14, 2016

Class AA in 1999.

Malvern Prep (9)— Class AAA in1987, 1992, ’93, ’97, 2001-05

West Chester Bayard Ruston (8)—Class A in 2009, ’10, ’12, 14-18

Unionville Girls (8)— 2010-13, 20015-18

Malvern Prep (2001-05) and West Chester Rustin (2014-18) share the record of five consecutive Flyers Cup titles

Sunday Schedule:

9:45 Girls Final West Chester Rustin vs. Unionville

2:00 Boys Class A Final Unionville vs. Hershey

4:30 Boys Class AA Final Downingtown East vs. Downingtown West

7:00 Boys Class AAA Final LaSalle vs. St. Joseph’s Prep

The three boys’ games will be available for viewing HERE on Sunday