Scott Huff previews the upcoming SHSHL playoffs.
By Scott Huff
Council Rock Northknew what it had to accomplish on Friday night if the Indians were going to earn an invitation to the Suburban High School Hockey League ‘AA’ playoffs. Rock North (5-8-2 entering the game) would have to defeat or tie first place rival Council Rock South (9-4-2) – a loss would eliminate the Indians from the SHSHL post-season dance.
“We knew going into the game what we had to do – we really had no choice but to either win or tie the game,” said Council Rock North head coach Eric Tye. “We knew that if we could play smart we could compete with them. We got out to the 3-0 lead in the first period, and we were able to keep focus the rest of the game and beat them (4-1).
“It was the first time we beat them in five years, and it couldn’t have come at a better time,” added Tye. “We are going to go as far as (sophomore goaltender) Kyle McQuillian is going to carry us. And he carried us in the game against CR South.”
The diminutive McQullian was sensational with a 38 save performance.
“Kyle is tiny – in fact, when I filled out the roster for the Flyers Cup – he told me he was 5-8,” said Tye of his terrific sophomore. “He can’t be more than 5-4 or 5-5, but he is growing.
“I think his competitiveness is his greatest strength,” added Tye. “He hates to lose. He hates to let pucks get in the net – even in practice if we score on him he gets angry.”
The ticket to the SHSHL playoffs is going to feature # 7 CR North (6-8-2) against the powerful # 2 Central Bucks South Titans (13-2-1).
“Central Bucks South is as good as advertised,” said Tye. “They go three or four lines deep on offense, have six good defenseman, and solid goaltending. They were a point away from being the best team in the league.
“We will practice Sunday night and come up with a game plan,” continued Tye. “We are going to have to be aggressive and take chances. And if things break down, we have to hope that Kyle will continue to stop 95% of the shots that come his way.
“Kyle came up huge against (CR) South, and if he doesn’t we don’t make the league playoffs – or most likely the Flyers Cup tournament,” added Tye. “And the South game would have been the last game for our seniors.”
But it wasn’t - and the Indians will play into the post-season in the SHSHL – and the Flyers Cup.
SHSHL ‘AA’ Quarterfinals - Monday - February 24, 2014
# 1 Central Bucks East Patriots (14-2-0) vs. # 8 Pennsbury Falcons (5-8-3)
@ Warwick – 6:30 pm
Head to Head Meeting: Central Bucks East shutout Pennsbury 8-0 in the lone meeting between the Patriots and Falcons on December 5, 2013.
Players To Watch: Central Bucks Eastfeatures Andrew Bily (26 points), Nick Chimera (25), Austin Chase (21), and Zach Davis on offense - and Evan Angotti (1.58 goals against) and Steven Gilchrist (2.39) in goal. Pennsbury features Kevin Koerner (14), John Thornton (10), Craig Meschel (9), and Kenyon Linder (9) on offense – and Trevor Schadler (4.92) in goal.
Winner Gets: The winner of this game will play the winner of the # 4 North Penn vs. # 5 Council Rock South game on Wednesday – 2/26/14.
# 4 North Penn Knights (11-4-1) vs. # 5 Council Rock South (9-5-2)
@ Hatfield – 9:10 pm
Head to Head Meeting: North Penn captured a 5-2 win over CR South in the lone meeting between the Knights and the Golden Hawks on February 7, 2014.
Players To Watch: North Pennfeatures Matthew Stella (40 points), Christian Ahn (30), Nick Capasso (25), and Jake Heckenberger (24) on offense – and Jake Snyder (2.40) and John Roberts (1.50) in goal. Council Rock South features Jason Brockman (20), Eric Higgins (19), Justin Adams (19), and Steven Bollendorf (17) on offense – and Zachary Magro (3.04) in goal.
Winner Gets: The winner of this game will play the winner of the # 1 Central Bucks East vs. # 8 Pennsbury game on Wednesday – 2/26/14.
# 3 Souderton Indians (11-3-2) vs. # 6 Neshaminy Redskins (6-7-3)
@ Hatfield – 7:30 pm
Head to Head Meeting: Souderton collected an 8-5 victory over Neshaminy in the lone meeting between the Indians and the Redskins on October 31, 2013.
Players To Watch: Souderton features Daniel Rock (52 points), Alex Politsky (50), Clay Anders (25), and Chris Malanga (17) on offense – and Dawson Anders (2.92 goals against) in goal. Neshaminy features Eric Graham (23), Nick Foster (16), Ian Dixon (15), Matt Kaleck (15) and Nick Sabatini (15) on offense – and Matt Sheley (3.00) in goal.
Winner Gets: The winner of this game will play the winner of the # 2 Central Bucks South vs. # 7 Council Rock North game on Wednesday – 2/26/14.
# 2 Central Bucks South Titans (13-2-1) vs. # 7 Council Rock North Indians (6-8-2)
@ Warwick – 8:15 pm
Head to Head Meeting: Central Bucks South shut out Council Rock North 7-0 in the lone meeting between the Titans and the Indians on January 3, 2014.
Players To Watch: Central Bucks South features Kevin Casey (33 points), Mike Pilla (32), Dominic Bova (31), Jake Bauer (25), and Brandon Spognardi (21) on offense – and Nick Madson (1.00) and Jeff Pelkowski (2.71) in goal. Council Rock North features Tristan Wieczorek (17), Mark Tosti (16), Justin Fricke (13), and Sam Kroh (12) on offense – and Kyle McQuillian (2.88) in goal.
Winner Gets: The winner of this game will play the winner of the # 3 Souderton vs. # 6 Neshaminy game on Wednesday – 2/26/14.
SHSHL ‘A’ Public Semifinals - Monday – February 24, 2014
# 1 Upper Moreland Golden Bears vs. # 4 Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
@ Bucks County Ice – 6:30 pm
Head to Head Meetings: Upper Moreland faced Plymouth Whitemarsh three times during the season and won all three. The Golden Bears defeated the Colonials by final scores of 8-5, 12-4, and 9-4.
Players To Watch: Upper Moreland features Matthew Iehle (36 points), Sean Lloyd (34), Andy Iehle (30), and Colton Arizini (26) on offense – and Patarickk Beissel (4.70) in goal. Plymouth Whitemarsh features Ryan Reed (14), Christopher Zawislak (11), Jonathan Iseley (9), and Bo Flint (9) on offense – and Jim Smith (8.73) in goal.
Winner Gets: The winner of this game will play the winner of the # 2 Wissahickon vs. # 3 William Tennent game for the championship on Wednesday – 2/26/14.
# 2 Wissahickon Trojans vs. # 3 William Tennent Panthers
@ Bucks County Ice – 8:15 pm
Head to Head Meetings: Wissahickon played William Tennent three times during the season and the Trojans won two of three. Wissahickon won by scores of 9-6 and 9-7, while William Tennent defeated the Trojans 10-7.
Players To Watch: Wissahickonfeatures Luke Honorowski (63 points), Dustin Rabinowitz (46), Edward Burkhart (28), and Matt Vervlied (28) on offense – and Noah Katz (7.55) in goal. William Tennent features Alec Dugan (30), Andrew Bean (21), Jeff Mitchell (17), and Mike Padgeon (13) on offense – and CJ Lineman (3.51) in goal.
Winner Gets: The winner of this game will play the winner of the # 1 Upper Moreland vs. # 4 Plymouth Whitemarsh game for the championship on Wednesday – 2/26/14.
Suburban One Sports.com
‘Fab Five’
1. Central Bucks East Patriots
2. Central Bucks South Titans
3. Souderton Indians
4. North Penn Knights
5. Council Rock South Golden Hawks
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