This week’s notebook highlights Souderton, Abington, Pennridge and CB East.
By Mike Prince, Sportswriter
When Souderton’s ice hockey team was getting ready for the season to begin, the Indians had one problem – they didn’t have a goalie.
That’s when senior Bryce McMichael, a defenseman since he was eight-years-old, stepped up and told Souderton coach Matt Montagna, “I’ll do it.”
“He’s a better man than me,” Montagna said laughing.
McMichael, who had never played goalie one single time in his life, put in the work, improved his game and helped lead the Indians to a 10-8-0 overall record and a trip to the Suburban High School Ice Hockey League playoffs.
And on Monday night, McMichael stopped 13 of 14 shots while leading Souderton to a 3-1 win over Abington, helping the Indians to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since Montagna took over as head coach three years ago.
“I liked how my guys battled through,” said Montagna, whose team was 3-17 overall just two seasons ago. “Bryce (McMichael) played really well and he did a good job for us. He controlled the game. He never played goalie before and then started every single game for us. He volunteered to do it, and honestly, he saved our program.”
As for Abington, the Ghosts quest for a Flyers Cup title will start next week, but they had to watch their SHSHL season end without their best player on the ice.
While winning is important for the Ghosts, the coaching staff realizes that discipline and rules come first, and the Ghosts’ top scorer, forward Erik Walther, was forced to watch his team fall to Souderton. With the rules stating that as a suspended player isn’t allowed to play but must still be in attendance at the game, Walther, who was away for a college trip in Abington’s regular season finale, was forced to sit out on Monday night.
“We thought adhering to the rules was more important than a playoff game,” said Abington assistant coach Steve Schoor, who filled in for head coach Pat Croce on Monday night. “We had discipline the players and that’s just how it is. We realize what’s most important to this team.”
With Walther on the sidelines, Alex DeCristofano was forced to step up on the top line, where he played with Paul Abendroth and James Campbell. Matthew Berman initially was put in Walther’s place before DeCristofano was moved up for the majority of the game.
“We were missing our leading scorer and I think that made a big difference in the game,” Schoor said. “In our minds, the effort was still there, though, and we just had a little bit of trouble with their forecheck. With Erik out, we had Alex step in and the effort was there. It was not a question of that. Paul (Abendroth) even hit the post a couple times in the third period, and if one of those go in, it’s a completely different game.”
As the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, Abington’s season remains alive with the Flyers Cup, which begins next Wednesday. If the Ghosts can win their first-round game, they will have a possibility of playing another Suburban One team in the second round.
“We now have another bite of the apple at the Flyers Cup, and we look forward to it, especially with a full team,” Schoor said.
In the first playoff game on Monday night, Pennridge surprised Council Rock South and hung tough until the end, falling 6-3 in another first round matchup.
On Jan. 16, the Rams and the Golden Hawks had a meeting which ended in an 8-1 win for CR South. And just over a month later, Pennridge actually managed to hold the lead (3-2) in the third period against the very same team.
“Just thinking about it, the last time we played this team, they mercy ruled us in the second period,” Pennridge coach Larry Wheatley said. “That’s a huge difference between two games. The kids were really pumped and excited and they knew they had a chance. We knew the other team would come in cocky and our guys played our hearts out. We even had a chance late. We had a two-man advantage in the third, and I think if we scored then, we would’ve had the game.”
Though the score might not reflect it, the game was close until the end, with CR South scoring two empty-net goals. Before the Golden Hawks were able to grab the lead, it was Pennridge senior goalie Dustin Wexler who was one of the main reasons the Rams were still in the game.
“Dustin played phenomenal,” Wheatley said. “It’s more than just him and we had the lead for much of the game and it’s hard to pick anyone out of the team, but he came up big with big saves when we needed them.
“He was injured and sick earlier in the year and we weren’t even sure if he’d play, but he’s now really hit his stride at the right time and he’s been a rock these last two games. I definitely expected it. He played well last year, and he’s right there where we need him when we need him.”
In another playoff game on Monday, Central Bucks South got past Central Bucks East, 7-2, at Warwick Ice Arena.
Despite being a heavy underdog after finishing the regular season 18 points behind CB South in the standings, CB East kept itself in the game deep into the third period, trailing 4-2 before giving up three late goals.
CB East was able to stay in the game thanks to the play of its goalie, freshman Evan Angotti.
“The kids played pretty well and my freshman goalie played a really good game,” CB East coach Ken Latchum said. “I’ve been rotating goalies all year long, but we had Evan out there and he was outstanding. He made some tremendous saves but just ran out of gas at the end.”
Angotti had to be pulled after having asthma problems, but he did stop 32 shots before being pulled.
While this season saw CB East finish below .500, Latchum is very much looking forward to the future of his team.
“I have one little problem and that’s that I have two goaltenders,” he said. “It’s a nice little problem to have. The future is bright. We have a lot of kids coming out next year and we won’t lose too many seniors, so the future looks good.”
CB East’s season isn’t over, however, as it will visit Haverford High in the first round of the Flyers Cup next Monday.
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