Playoff Ponderings—APAC

Wednesday, February 28 4:00 at Hatfield Ice

Founders Cup Championship Game

La Salle (19-3) vs. 3. St. Josephs Prep (15-5)

How they got here:

St. Joseph’s Prep defeated Malvern Prep 3-2 in the semifinals. La Salle defeated Holy Ghost Prep 3-1

Against each other:

La Salle won the first of two meetings this season, 3-1 on November 15, then overcame a 3-0 third-period deficit to post a 5-3 win on February 14.

La Salle

The Explorers have been part of every Founders Cup final in history. They claimed the APAC title in 2019, ’20, and ’23. They were declared co-champions along with Malvern Prep in 2021 when the final came was cancelled due to Covid. They lost the title game to the Friars in 2022.

Dean Carvalho leads the team in scoring with 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points in all competitions He also led the APAC in regular-season scoring with six goals and six assists for 12 points. Patrick Brace has eight goals and 12 assists for 20 point in all competitions; 4-4-8 in APAC games including the playoff semifinals. Goaltender Jake Rossi come into the final with a .938 save percentage and a 1.60 GAA.

St. Joseph’s Prep

This marks the first time the Hawks have appeared in the APAC championship game in the conference’s six-year history. Brayden Collins leads the team in scoring with eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points. He has three goals and three assists for six points in conference play. John Lynch, who scored a game-tying goal in the third period of the semifinal win over Malvern Prep, now has five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in all competitions. Jake Shultz was the Hawks’ top scorer against APAC foes, contributing four goals and three assists for seven points; 7-5-12 overall. Jacob Aranda is the likely starter in goal. He comes into the final with an .891 save percentage and a 2.78 GAA.

What comes next:

Both teams will move on to the Class AAA Flyers Cup.

La Salle is the defending champion and number-one seed and will face Perkiomen Valley on March 4. St. Joseph’s Prep is seeded third in the tournament and will face Salesianum the same evening.

La Salle’s Carvalho Primed for APAC Finale

La Salle senior Dean Carvalho knows all about the rivalry between the Explorers and St. Joseph’s Prep. The two schools have been competing against each other since the Philadelphia Catholic League was founded in 1920.

“I think just the level of [competition] between both schools and just the will to win, has just grown over the many years we’ve been competing against them in hockey and many other sports,” he said. “The will to win is there.”

The rivalry between the Explorers and the Hawks will be renewed on Wednesday afternoon when the two schools meet for the Founders Cup and the championship of the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference (4:00 at Hatfield Ice). La Salle is the defending champion and has won three conference titles in five seasons while sharing another.

Carvalho sees the rivalry as mutually respectful, albeit intense.

“I think the respect is there, definitely,” he said.” We look forward to those games. In some ways, they’re a lot more fun than playing other schools because it’s a rivalry. It just makes the game that much more intense and the speed that much higher so I think it’s fun for everybody.”

Dean Carvalho

The Explorers own two wins over the Hawks this season, most recently a 5-3 win on February 14 that saw La Salle enter the third period trailing 3-0. Carvalho says the team regrouped during the post-second period ice cut.

“I think we just came together as a team and just realized how we needed to play,” he said. “Things we were doing wrong and what we needed to improve on. I think that period we came out really focused as a team, ready to play. We scored one and kept it rolling and things worked out at the end.”

Carvalho led the APAC in scoring, with six goals and six assists for 12 points (1.5 ppg) during the conference season. He enters Wednesday’s final with 16 goals and 11 assists in all competitions (22 games). He notes the Explorers are team that can and must rely on scoring balance to be successful.

“I think it’s huge,” he said. “One of our strengths as a team is the amount of depth that we have. We have four lines, probably more than four lines that can play, and more than six defenseman that can play. So, there’s never a weak link on the ice and that that reflects the success we’ve had this season so far. I think it’s really important because there’s never that weak link.”

St. Joseph Prep’s McDonald Focused on APAC Final

Wednesday’s APAC championship game for the Founders Cup (4:00 at Hatfield Ice) will be a moment in history for St. Joseph’s Prep. It will mark the Hawks’ first appearance in the final in the APAC’s six –year history.

That’s something Gareth McDonald, a senior defenseman with the Hawks, was well aware of when he spoke of what a victory would mean.

“It would mean a lot,” he said. “I know the APAC is a young league but there’s not a lot of teams in the league so we certainly should be in the championship game more often.”

The Hawks dropped two decisions to the Explorers this season. The second, on February 14 was particularly difficult to digest. St. Joseph’s Prep led 3-0 after two periods before surrendering five goals in the third, one of them into an empty net.

“I think we got a little too comfortable,” McDonald said. “We’ve just got to prove this year that we can beat them. And even after the championship game, because we’re going to have to play them in the Flyers Cup too (St. Joseph’s Prep and La Salle could meet in the Class AAA Flyers Cup finals). We’ve got to prove to them that we can beat them, and to ourselves.”

Gareth McDonald/photo by Joe Mancini

The rivalry between the Hawks and the Explorers does not lack for intensity, but McDonald is quick to point is quick to point out it is also characterized by mutual respect.

“We play against La Salle more on a personal level than if we play against other schools,” he said. “Not because of how we don’t like each other but because we’re friends with kids on the other team. It feels more on a personal level, to prove that we’re better than them.

“We respect La Salle a lot and I’m sure they give us that same kind of respect.”

As high-energy as Wednesday’s matchup promises to be, McDonald says it’s essential for he and his teammates to keep their emotions in check.

“We’re going to have to be very stale emotionally,” he said. “We can’t get down, even if they go up a goal or two. Or, if we go up a goal or two, we’ve got to stay comfortable, keep playing our game. There’s no reason to [lose focus], regardless of anything that happens.”

McDonald admits that a loss in Wednesday’s final would leave a sour taste, even with the Flyers Cup still to come.

“It’s almost worthless getting to the game and not winning it,” he said. we want to finish the job.”

Playoff Ponderings—APAC

Tuesday, February 20

APAC Play In

#5 Hun School at #4 Holy Ghost Prep

4:00 Grundy Arena

Hun School (4-10, 1-7 APAC)

A young Raider squad battled inexperience and injuries for much of the season. Justin Laplante scored four goals and added three assist in conference play. Julian Arsenault (.920 save percentage) and P.J. Angotti are both solid in goal.

Holy Ghost Prep (10-12, 3-5 APAC)

A young team matured as the season progressed.

Anthony Valeriote leads the team in scoring with four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in all competitions. Matt Cholaj has scored three goals and added 10 assists for 13 points.Jake McCaw finished regular season with nine goals and added four assists for 13 points; 3-3-6 in APAC play. Jack Unger is the probable starter in goal (.958 save percentage, 0.84 GAA in conference play; .893/2.36 in all competitions).

Wednesday, February 21

#1 La Salle vs Hun School/Holy Ghost Prep

4:00 at Class of 1923 Rink

La Salle (18-3, 8-0 APAC)

The defending conference, Flyers Cup, and state champion Explorers are seeking their fourth outright APAC title in the conference’s six-year history (they’ve also shared another). Dean Carvalho led the APAC in scoring with six goals and six assists for 12 points. He tallied 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points in all competitions. Patrick Brace has collected eight goals and 11 assists for 19 point in all competitions; 4-3-7 in the APAC. Goaltender Jake Rossi has a season-long save percentage of .936 and a GAA of 1.63; .954/1.13 in conference play.

#3 St. Joseph’s Prep vs #2 Malvern Prep

6:15 at Class of 1923 Rink

St. Joseph’s Prep (14-5, 4-4 APAC)

A corps of young players combined with veteran leadership to record some impressive results for the Hawks this season. Brayden Collins led the team in scoring with eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points; 3-3-6 in conference play. John Lynch scored four goals and added 11 assists overall. Jake Schultz was the Hawks’ top scoring in APAC competition with four goals and three assists for seven points; 7-5-12 overall. Jacob Aranda started every conference game in goal and finished league play with an .894 saver percentage and a 3.09 GAA; .893/2.85 overall.

Malvern Prep (9-7, 4-4 APAC)

The Friars had their ups and down early on, but rebounded to win six of their last nine games. Jeremy Jacobs led the team in scoring with 17 goals and 15 assists for 32 points; 5-6-11 in conference play. Caiden Canale deposited six goals and added seven assists for 13 points in all competitions; 1-4-5 in the APAC. Brady Doyle added five goals and seven assists overall; 1-4-5 in conference play. Goaltender Matt Crawford turned in a .935 save percentage in APAC play with a 2.27 GAA; .911-2.62 in all competitions.

APAC Update for 2-16-24

Final Regular Season Standings

W L OTW OTL Pts GF GA

La Salle (18-3) 8 0 0 0 24 36 9

Malvern Prep (9-7) 4 4 2 2 12 18 20

St. Joseph’s Prep (14-5) 4 4 1 0 11 28 25

Holy Ghost Prep (10-12) 3 5 0 1 9 13 20

Hun School (4-10) 1 7 0 1 3 16 37

Playoff Schedule

Tuesday 2-20

4:00 (5) Hun School vs. (4) Holy Ghost Prep at Grundy Arena

Wednesday, February 21

4:00 Hun School or Holy Ghost Prep vs. (1). La Salle

6:15 (3) Malvern Prep vs. (2) St. Joseph’s Prep

Both game at Class of 1923 Rink

Wednesday, February 28

Tentative date for Founders Cup final to be hosted by highest seeded finalist

Scoring (Conference Games) GP G A Pts. PPG

Dan Carvalho (L) 8 6 6 12 1.50

Jeremy Jacobs (MP) 8 5 6 11 1.38

Patrick Brace (L) 8 4 3 7 0.88

William Carpenter (L) 8 1 6 7 0.88

Justin Laplante (HS) 8 4 3 7 0.88

Jake Schultz (SJP) 7 4 3 7 0.88

Ryan Levesque (HS) 6 1 4 5 0.83

Jake McCaw (HGP) 8 3 3 6 0.75

Brayden Collins (SJP) 8 3 3 6 0.75

Julian Tarsi (L) 8 3 3 6 0.75

Declan Kelly (L) 8 1 5 6 0.75

Will Gregorio (L) 8 1 5 6 0.75

Tristan Winata (SJP) 8 6 0 6 0.75

Save Pct (Conference Games) GP Shots GA Save Pct.

Jack Unger (HGP) 4 72 3 .958

Jake Rossi (L) 7 197 9 .954

Matt Crawford (MP) 7 293 19 .935

Julian Arseneault (HS) 4 200 16 .920

Jaccob Aranda (SJP) 8 235 25 .894

Goals Against (Conference Games)

Jack Unger (HGP) 0.84

Jake Rossi (L) 1.13

Matt Crawford (MP) 2.27

Jacob Aranda (SJP) 3.09

Julian Arsenault (HS) 3.10

(Goaltemders must have played 153 minutes in conference games)

St. Josephs Prep 6 Hun School 5

When the final buzzer sounded at the Skatium Friday night, a full range of emotions was on display. Satisfaction, albeit mixed with a healthy dose of concern behind one bench, disappointment and frustration at the other.

John Lynch’ goal just before the buzzer gave St. Joseph’s Prep a 6-5 APAC win over The Hun School.

Lynch’s game winner came amidst a flurry in front of the Hun School net. The referee on the goal line signaled a goal a split second before the buzzer sounded although Raider coach Eric Szeker and his players vigorously disagreed with the call.

The winning goal capped a third period that saw the teams combine for five goals, four of them in a span of 5 minutes, 37 seconds that left the teams deadlocked at 5-5 with 10:56 left in regulation.

The win allowed the Hawks (14-4, 4-3 in the APAC) to leapfrog past Holy Ghost Prep into third place in the conference standings. The Hawks will take second place with a win over La Salle in their APAC finale on Wednesday.

The Friars dropped to 4-10 and concluded conference play at 1-7 but Lynch, one of four St. Joseph’s Prep seniors who was recognized on Senior Night, insisted he and his teammates weren’t overlooking their foe.

“We didn’t take them lightly at all,” he said. “We beat them pretty good the first time (7-2) [but] we knew they’re a good team.

“We could have played better today. We weren’t expecting the game to turn out like this. But we did what we could and we didn’t fall back.

“It was a back-and-forth game the whole time and were came out with the victory.”

Neither team ever led by more than a single goal. Offensive opportunities were abundant. Jake Beck delivered a hat trick for the Raiders. Cole Gargon found the back of the net twice for the Hawks.

There were more offensive opportunities than St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin would have preferred.

“You give up five goals in a hockey game, that’s not going to win anything,” he said. “We were lucky to get a bounce and a couple things went our way and we were able to pull it out. A win is a win, I guess. [But] we’ve got some stuff to clean up.”

The result was a bitter-tasting medicine for Szeker and his players to swallow. A young and injury-riddled Raider squad has played its best hockey of the season this week; it came into Friday’s game off an overtime win over Malvern Prep on Wednesday, Hun School’s first APAC win of the season.

But Szeker is pleased with how his troops have continued to battle despite the loss of several veterans, including captain Ryan Levesque,

“When you’re missing four or five guys that play a lot of hockey, it’s tough,” he said. “But, our guys have stepped up, everyone’s giving us everything, and it’s showing out there.”

Ice chips: The result means the APAC playoff pairings are finalized. Holy Ghost Prep will finish fourth and host Hun School in a play-in game. The winner will face La Salle in one semifinal game on February 21. St. Joseph’s Prep and Malvern Prep will meet in the other.

Hun School 1 1 3—5

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 2 3—6

First period goals: Michael Castelli (SJP) from Patrick Sweeney and Thomas Ely, 11:54; Jake Beck (HS) from Justin Laplante, 15:05

Second-period goals: Cole Gargon (SJP) from Calum Hartnell, 1:54 (pp); Beck (HS) from Luke Rassier and Charles-Etienne Jett, 5:38 (pp); Beck (HS) from Brendan Marino, 15:18

Third-period goals: Jake Schultz (SJP) from Ben Kersun, :27 (sh); Joachim Neverdahl (HS) from Aidan Shine, 3:26 (pp); Gargon (SJP) from Garett McDonald and John Lynch, 4:49; Caden Kelly (SJP) from Castelli, 5:26; Jack Neckritz (HS) unassisted, 6:04; Lynch (SJP) from Hartnell and Caden Kelly, 0:00 Shots: Hun School 27, St. Joseph’s Prep 25; Saves: P.J. Angotti (HS) 19, Jacob Aranda (SJP) 2

St. Joseph’s Prep 4 Holy Ghost Prep 0

Brayden Collins scored two goals to lead the Hawks to the shutout win over the Firebirds on Wednesday in an APAC matchup at the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 Arena.
The win lifted the Hawks to 12-4 overall and 3-3 in conference play. The Firebirds dropped to 7-11 overall and 3-4 in conference play.

Collins’ two goals gave St. Joseph’s Prep a 2-0 lead 6:14 into the second period. Parker Tumelty and Jake Schultz added goals in the third frame.

Jacob Aranda earned the shutout in goal with a 19-save effort. His teammates supported him by denying the Firebirds on three power-play chances.

“We played a lot better on the penalty kill tonight,” said St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin. [Aranda] was sharp tonight. We really played hard in all three zones especially with our offensive forecheck.”

Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 0 —0

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 1 2—4

First-period goal: Brayden Collins (SJP) from Cole Gargon and Jake Schultz, 6:51

Second-period goal: Collins (SJP) from Schultz, 6:14

Third-period goals: Parker Tumelty (SJP) from Calum Hartnell, 9:03; Schultz (SJP) from Noah Stuhl, 15:14

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 19, St. Joseph’s Prep 23; Saves: John Botthof (HGP) 19, Jacob Aranda (SJP) 19

APAC Update for 1-30-24

W L OTW OTL Pts GF GA

La Salle (15-2) 6 0 0 0 18 24 5

Malvern Prep (7-6) 3 3 1 1 9 13 15

Holy Ghost Prep (7-10) 3 3 0 0 9 12 14

St. Joseph’s Prep (11-4) 2 3 1 0 5 15 15

Hun School (3-8) 0 3 0 1 1 6 21

Scoring (Conference Games) GP G A Pts. PPG

Jeremy Jacobs (MP) 6 4 6 10 1.67

Dan Carvalho (L) 6 3 4 7 1.17

Jake McCaw (HGP) 6 3 3 6 1.00

William Carpenter (L) 6 1 5 6 1.00

Declan Kelly (L) 6 1 5 6 1.00

Ryan Levesque (HS) 5 1 4 5 1.00

Tristan Winata (SJP) 5 5 0 5 1.00

Patrick Brace (L) 6 3 2 5 0.83

Scoring (All Games) GP G A Pts. PPG

Jeremy Jacobs (MP) 13 16 15 31 2.38

Dan Carvalho (L) 17 9 8 17 1.00

Cole Gargon (SJP) 14 9 5 14 1.00

Caiden Canle (MP) 13 6 6 12 0.92

Brayden Collins (SJP) 15 4 9 13 0.87

Tristan Winata (SJP) 14 8 4 12 0.86

Patrick Brace (L) 17 6 8 14 0.82

Jake McCaw (HGP) 16 9 4 13 0.81

APAC Annouces Playoff Dates

The historic Class of 1923 Rink on the University of Pennsylvania campus will be the venue for the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference semifinals on Wednesday, February 21st.

The semifinals will be preceded by a play-in game on a date to be determined, between the teams that finish fourth and fifth in the regular-season standings.

The Founders Cup championship game is tentatively set for Wednesday, February 28^th at the home rink of the highest seeded finalist.

St. Augustine 4 St. Joseph’s Prep 0

St. Augustine scored three first-period goals in a span of just over three-and-a-half minutes and went on to shut out the Hawks 4-0 Monday evening at the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 Rink.

Anthony Yeager, Ty Simonet, and Rob Romarino scored in a span of 3:46 to put the Hermits in control.

George Buzby added a goal with 1:37 left in the third period.

Bobby Kennedy earned the shutout in goal.

The loss dropped the Hawks to 11-4.