Malvern Prep 4 St. Joseph’s Prep 1

PHILADELPHIA—Malvern Prep took a back-to-basics approach Wednesday evening, and got the result it wanted.

Power-play goals in each of the first-two periods fueled what became a 4-1 win over St. Josephs Prep at the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 Rink in a game that was originally slated to be part of the APAC Winter Classic on January 10.

The Friars, who were playing just their second game since the holiday break, improved to 7-5 overall and 3-3 in the APAC. St. Joseph’s Prep, which was playing its first game in 19 days, saw a seven-game winning streak snapped; the Hawks now stand at 11-3 overall and 2-3 in conference play.

The Friars took advantage of their power-play chances. Jonathan Holt scored the game’s first goal with 1:22 left in the opening period when he tipped in a shot from Jeremy Jacobs. The goal came while the Hawks’ Noah Stuhl was in the penalty box serving a tripping minor.

Teague Murray made it 2-0 on a similar play late in the second frame, he tipped Jacobs’ original shot past St. Joseph’s Prep goaltender Jacob Aranda with eight-tenths of a second showing on the clock. while the Hawks’ Patrick Sweeney was in the box.

Holt noted the Friars have had some additional practice time of late and says the extra work has paid off.

“We’ve been working structure-wise a lot in practice,” the senior said. “We’ve been moving the puck well. We’ve been shooting a lot of shots and getting traffic in front of the net. We’ve been grinding a lot.”

With a lighter game schedule since the Christmas break, the Friars have been able to do some fine tuning.

“We’ve been able to develop line chemistry with everybody,” Holt said. “It’s been a good experience.

“And, working on the power play, shots from the point. We struggled a little bit with that early in the season. We’ve been getting after that, which is good.”

St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin felt his team was impacted by its lengthy layoff.

“We shot our self in the foot with our penalties and penalty kills,” he said. “I think our layoff really hurt us today.”

Jacobs extended Malvern Prep’s lead when he scored on a shorthanded breakaway 8:19 into the third period.

Ben Kerson for the Hawks on a power-play effort with 7:26 left in regulation before Jacobs scored his second goal of the game with 51 seconds remaining.

Jacobs has scored four goals and collected six assists for 10 points in six conference games which puts him atop the APAC scoring race. In all competitions, he’s accumulated 15 goals and 14 assists for 29 points.

Jacobs spoke to how the Friars’ chemistry has improved since the early going.

“At the start of the season, we didn’t start too hot,” he said. “We kind of had to change our mindset a little bit. And ever since we started changing our mindset, focusing our energy, the simple stuff, we started striving more. So, it’s been helping us.”

Malvern Prep 1 1 2—4

St. Joseph’s Prep 0 0 1—1

First-period goal: Jonathan Holt (MP) from Jeremy Jacobs and Brady Doyle, 15:38 (pp)

Second-period goal: Teague Murray (MP) from Jacobs and Doyle, 16:59 (pp)

Third-period goals: Jacobs (MP) from Caiden Canale, 8:41; Ben Kersun (SJP) from Thomas Ely, 9:34 (pp); Jacobs (MP) from Doyle, 16:09

Shots: Malvern Prep 33, St. Joseph’s Prep 26; Saves: Matt Crawford (MP) 25, Jacob Aranda (SJP) 29

Hawks Defend Purple Puck Title

St. Joseph’s Prep successfully defended its championship at the Purple Puck Tournament in Springfield Virginia Friday night.

The Hawks bested Gonzaga’s second team 7-1 in the semifinal round before defeating the host’s number-one team 2-1 in the championship game.

St. Joseph’s Prep, now 10-4 on the season, went a perfect 5-0 during the tournament.

Preliminary Round

Wednesday, 12-27 def. Gonzaga 2 4-1

Thursday, 12-28 def. Archbishop Spalding 5-2

Def. Gonzaga 1 5-2

Friday, 12-29

Semifinal def. Gonzaga 2 7-1

Final def. Gonzaga 1 2-1

The Hawks stand at 9-4 on the season. Their next outing will come next Friday against Haverford School at the Skatium.

APAC Oveview for 12-12-23

W L OTW OTL Pts GF GA

La Salle (8-1) 4 0 0 0 12 16 3

St. Joseph’s Prep (4-1) 2 1 1 0 5 12 8

Malvern Prep (3-4) 1 2 0 1 4 6 9

Holy Ghost Prep (2-6) 0 2 0 0 0 2 5

Hun School (2-3) 0 2 0 0 0 2 13

teams receive three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime or shootout win, and one point for an overtime or shootout loss.

* Scoring GP G A Pts PPG

Dean Carvalho (Ls) 3 2 3 5 1.67

Will Gregorio (Ls) 3 1 3 4 1.33

Will Carpenter (Ls) 3 1 3 4 1.33

Jeremy Jacobs (MP) 3 1 3 4 1.33

Julian Tarsi (Ls) 3 2 1 3 1.00

Declan Kelly (Ls) 3 0 3 3 1.00

Robert McGinn (SJP) 2 1 1 2 1.00

Anthony Prete (HGP) 1 1 0 1 1.00

Mike Holt (HGP) 1 0 1 0 1.00

(scoring through 12-10)

St. Joseph’s Prep 4 Malvern Prep 3 SO

WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP—The evening offered a little bit of everything, including a dramatic conclusion to a first-rate hockey game.

Frankie Ely’s goal in the sixth round of a shootout was the margin of victory as St. Joseph’s Prep edged Malvern Prep 4-3 Wednesday night in an APAC matchup at Ice Line.

For the Hawks, who improved to 3-1 overall (1-1 in the APAC) it was another step in the maturation of a young hockey team. Ely was one of five freshmen who saw ice time for his team.

“The very first [APAC] game against La Salle opened my eyes a little bit,” said St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin. “These kids can get challenged a little bit and play well.

“We had a good game against Gonzaga and the kids really stepped up. I think they’re a bit more experienced, a little bit less nervous, when they’re out there playing against the bigger and older kids.”
Calum Hartnell gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead 11:24 into the opening period off a turnover at the Friars’ blue line. Tristan Winata made it a 2-0 game at the 13:20 mark when he beat Matt Crawford in goal on an effort from the left faceoff circle.

Winata, a junior, is impressed with the play of his younger teammates.

“They’re so much better than when I originally met them,” he said. “They’re playing great out there. A lot of speed, everyone is playing together.”

Winata noted the importance of the veterans on the roster setting the tone for the newcomers.

“I think as an older [member of the team] we have to show them all out plays,” he said, “playing together, those kinds of things. When I was a freshman I had a hard time getting used to it, so I want to be a leader for them.”

The Hawks had a chance to build on their lead at the start of the second game when they were awarded their third power play of the evening. The Friars ( 3-3, 1-2) were able to kill the penalty however and used that sequence as an impetus to get back in the game.

Caiden Canale tipped in Jeremy Jacob’s shot from the right point at the 1:55 mark while the teams were skating four on four. The Friars tied the game with 1.4 seconds left in the period when Gabriel Bedwell, with Jacobs’ help, beat Hawk netminder Jacob Aranda when he put his shot just under the crossbar.

The Friars took the lead on shorthanded goal with 6:31 left in regulation when Jacobs forced a turnover inside the Hawks’ blue line went on to beat Aranda from close range.

As the clock would down, Malvern Prep seemed to have the upper hand but Caiden Kelly scored for the Hawks via a deflection to send the two teams to overtime.

Cole Gargon started the shootout by scoring for the Hawks. James Young responded immediately for the Friars and the two goaltenders, who had performed with distinction for 56 minutes, were impenetrable until Ely’s game winner and Aranda’s game-ending save, when he denied Paxton Hoishik to send the Hawks home with a win.

Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan praised his team for rallying from a two-goal deficit.

“I told our guys it’s hard to come back from a 2-0 deficit,” he said. “The resilience of them to get the game back tied and get a shorthanded goal to go up 3-2 said a lot about our team, about the grit that we have.”

Ice chips—Wednesday’s game was a benefit for families with children afflicted with Rubenstein-Taybi Syndrome or RTS. The genetic disorder causes intellectual and developmental disabilities and impacts one in 125,000 children, among them Connor Keenan, Bill Keenan’s 3-year old son.

The two teams wore multicolored jerseys during the warmup in support of families impacted by RTS.

Connor Keenan (with glasses) standing with his mother Sarah and father Bill during Wednesday’s ceremonial faceoff. With them are Connor’s siblings J.J. and Olivia. (photo by Max Mangigian)

St. Joseph’s Prep 2 0 1 0 1—4

Malvern Prep 0 2 1 0 0—3

First-period goals: Calum Hartnell (SJP) unassisted. 11:24; Tristan Winata (SJP) from Bobby McGinn. 13:20

Second-period goals: Caiden Canale (MP) from Jeremy Jacobs, 1:55; Gabriel Bedwell (MP) from Jacobs, 16:58

Third-period goals: Jacobs (MP) unassisted, 10:29 (sh); Caden Kelly (SJP) unassisted, 15:57

Shootout goals: SJP: Cole Gargon, Frankie Ely; MP: James Young

Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 35, Malvern Prep 37; Saves: Jacob Aranda (SJP) 34; Matt Crawford (MP) 32

CLICK HERE for more about Malvern Prep

CLICK HERE for more about St. Joseph’s Prep

Malvern Prep, St. Joseph’s Prep to Meet in Benefit Game

For the second consecutive year, Malvern Prep and St. Joseph’s Prep will meet on the ice as part of an effort to raise awareness of Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome or RTS.

The Friars and the Hawks will square off in a regularly scheduled Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game this coming Thursday, November 30, at 6:30 at Ice Line.

Proceeds from the evening will be donated to several organizations who support individuals with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes intellectual and developmental disabilities and impacts one in 125,000 children.

Connor Keenan, the son of Malvern Pep coach Bill Keenan, is afflicted with RTS; he will celebrate his fourth birthday in January.

Thursday’s varsity game will be the main event of a tripleheader which will begin with a junior-varsity game at 3:30 followed by a middle-school game at 5:10.

The day’s events actually begin at 3:00 Thursday afternoon with a Dine and Donate event at Ice Line’s Goal Line Pub that will run until 9:00 that evening.
Keenan expressed his thanks to his colleagues at Malvern Prep and in the hockey community for their support.

“Spreading awareness of this rare syndrome is very important to us,” he said. “The Malvern community has been so amazing and supportive to helping us raise awareness.

“Last year was the first year we did this event and we are so happy to bring it back again this year. It is something we look forward to each and every year. Connor and our family are truly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people.”

Speaking at last year’s inaugural benefit event, Keenan’s wife Sarah cited the importance of raising awareness of RTS.

“It’s very rare,” she said. “So, it’s important just make people aware of it for inclusion purposes and to get that research really going to see if they can help kids with the syndrome out.”

Bill Keenen cited St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin for his support of the event.

“When I asked Coach Giacomin to be a part of this event last year, there was no hesitation and an immediate ‘Yes’ response,” he said. “St. Joe Prep, although rivals on the ice are great partners and show a great amount of sportsmanship by being involved.”

St. Joseph’s Prep 4 Gonzaga 2

Cole Gargon scored two goals to help the Hawks to the win over Gonzaga Friday afternoon at the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 rink.

The freshman’s second goal of the game with 1:58 left in the second period snapped a 2-2 tie. Jake Shultz added a third-period goal as the hosts improved to 2-1 on the season.

Frankie Ely, another freshman, also scored for the Hawks; his tally in the first period was the first varsity goal of his career.

Declan Geary, another freshman, got the win in goal, making 30 saves.

Gonzaga 1 1 0—2

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 2 1—4

First-period goals: Edwin Siembzeba (G) from Hamilton Nordwin, 13:13; Frankie Ely (SP) from Adam Charrafi and Carter Short, 13:29

Second-period goals: Cole Gargon (SJP) from Charrafi, 6:22; Matthew Shay (G) from Tyler Jasell, 8:57; Gargon (SP) from Tristan Winata and Charrafi, 15:52

Third-period goal: Jake Shultz (SP) from Tyler Degiralomo and Shane O’Neill, 8:18

Shots: Gonzaga 32, St. Joseph’s Prep 34; Saves: Tucker Forest (G) 17 and Paddy Kircher (G) 9, Declan Geary (SJP) 30

APAC Recap for 11-1

St. Joseph’s Prep 3, Calvert Hall 2

Cole Gargon’s goal with 4:04 remaining in the third period gave St. Joseph’s Prep a 4-3 win over Calvert Hall Wednesday evening at the Class of 1923 Rink.

Ben Kersun and Calum Hartnell also scored for the Hawks.

Calvert Hall 1 0 1—2

St. Joseph’s Prep 2 0 1—3

La Salle 3, Central Bucks South 0

Alex Fusaro scored two goals as the host Explorers bested Central Bucks South Wednesday afternoon at Hatfield Ice. Michael Zarycki also scored for La Salle, which won its second straight.

C.B. South 0 0 0—0

La Salle 1 0 2—3

APAC Recap for 10-25-23

Malvern Prep 6 St. John’s College High 3

Jeremy Jacobs scored three goals and assisted on a fourth as Malvern Prep defeated St. John’s College High 6-3 Wednesday afternoon in a non-league game in Rockville, Md.

Caiden Canale, House Young and Henry Tesoriero scored one goal each as the Friars won their second straight.

Council Rock South 6, St. Joseph’s Prep 3

Council Rock South came out on top in Wednesday’s non-league game at the Class of 1923 Rink on the University of Pennsylvania campus.

St. Joseph’s Prep 5 Avon Grove 1

Jake Schultz scored two goals and three other players scored one goal each as St. Joseph’s Prep opened the scholastic hockey season with 5-1 win over Avon Grove on Wednesday at the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 rink.

Carter Short, Brayden Collins, and Tristan Winata all scored goals for the Hawks.

Declan Geary and Jacob Aranda split time in goal.

Brendan Chandler scored for Avon Grove.

The hosts had a 56-19 shot advantage.

Avon Grove 0 0—1

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 1 3—5

St. Joseph’s Prep 4 Perkiomen Valley 2

Joe Samango scored there goals as the Hawks downed the Vikings in a Class AAA Flyers Cup quarterfinal Tuesday night at the Skatium. Tristan Winata also scored for the third-seed Hawks, who will face Holy Ghost Prep in a semifinal next week (date, site, time TBA).

Mason McCabe and Jonathan Waters scored goals for the sixth-seeded Vikings.

Perkiomen Valley 2 0 0—2

St. Joseph’s Prep 2 0 2—4