Check out the recaps for Wednesday’s annual rivalry night games. Pennridge/Souderton & CB South/North Penn photos provided courtesy of Michael Rice, CR North/CR South and CB West/CB East photos provided courtesy of Tracy Valko. Check back for galleries of all four games: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f325826012 (Pennsbury/Neshaminy photos courtesy of Trish Sexton.)
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 4, NORTH PENN 2
There’s nothing quite like the annual County Line Cup game.
Granted, North Penn and Central Bucks South might not be considered big rivals in some sports, but in ice hockey, the two teams have developed quite a rivalry. Not only do the fans show up for both sides, even the Titans’ mascot was in attendance.
“Every year, this is our biggest game,” South captain DJ Lindenmuth said. “We have all the alumni players coming back. We get a lot of kids from school that come because tomorrow is Thanksgiving. It’s a real emotional game. It’s fun for everyone. It’s the same opponent every year, so it’s a good little rivalry.”
The players not only posed for the typical team trophy shot - they also got pictures taken with players that moments earlier had been their opponents.
“We’ve created this camaraderie/rivalry with North Penn, and it’s great,” South coach Shaun McGinty said. “They’re good people, they’re a good team, so we want this for the boys. The fans are here, the alumni come back. It’s all good stuff.”
The game was a spirited, tightly contested battle, and goals were hard to come by for both sides. South’s Keith Waldron broke a scoreless tie with 2:17 remaining in the opening period, using assists from Aidan Linso and Logan Hood.
In the second quarter, the Knights evened the score, thanks to a goal from Danial Cabrales with a Nolan Shingle assist. The two teams went into the third quarter deadlocked 1-1.
“Their goaltender played really well,” McGinty said of Maks-Joseph Harkins. “Their game plan – they were successful. It’s a 1-0 first period us - they disrupted us, they were able to get the puck deep, they have guys that can play.
“Second period – they scored. Ironically, the score was 1-1, but really, we do it period by period, so we won the first period, they won the second. That’s the kind of game you want for the kids, the fans. This is the stuff they’ll remember.”
The Titans took a 2-1 lead when Ryan Frey scored with a Lindenmuth assist in the opening minute of the third period. With 10:55 remaining, Jeffrey Kvecher scored with assists from Joey Slobodrian and Aidan Linso, and the Titans led 3-1.
With time winding down in regulation, North Penn had a direct shot that was deflected high and out of harm’s way by East goalkeeper Cole Breen, and less than a minute later, Slobodrian (Peter Herring assist) found himself on a breakaway for a goal and a 4-2 lead with 1:21 remaining.
“We played fantastic – from (goalkeeper) Dom Varacallo to Sean Cutter, who’s originally a forward, and he’s going back and playing defense,” Lindenmuth said. “Players got moved. I got moved to center, some players got moved to wing.
“Everyone has to deal with the injuries, and tonight it seemed like we dealt with them pretty well.”
McGinty lauded the effort of his squad.
“The guys really did well today,” the Titans’ coach said. “We do have two kids that are injured unfortunately on defense. We have one guy playing with a cast, and one of our upperclassmen defensemen is out. We had a forward playing ‘D’ all night. Sean Cutter is an assistant captain, and he played defense all night long. That’s not his normal job. Luckily for us and the team, he’s able to play that position, and that helped solidify our win tonight.
“(Jake) Kunkle, one of our senior defensemen, really played within his game tonight, and it really helped because we’re short on the ‘D’ line. (Alex) Cannon is in the lineup. He was given an opportunity, and he played really well, and, of course, our guys who usually do it - Ryan Frey, DJ Lindenmuth and Colin Mendham. Sophomore Joey Slobodrian also stepped up.”
The Knights held a decisive 40-19 advantage in shots, an advantage that was all but negated by the 36-save effort of NP goalkeeper Maks-Joseph Harkins.
“We knew it was going to be a close game,” McGinty said. “I’m really pleased with our shot total. I’m always looking for anywhere from 32-37 shots, and we got in the 40 range.
“We definitely want to get our shots on net, so that’s going improve puck possession and control.”
Added Lindemuth, “Every game we’re looking to put up those type of numbers. Forty shots – we’d like to see a couple more goals out of that, but their goalie played fantastic.
“Our team has high expectations. We’d like to see ourselves go far, and if we play the way we did tonight and the past couple of games, I think we’ll be fine.”
Varacallo turned away 17 shots in a winning effort in goal for the Titans.
With the win, Central Bucks South upped its record to 2-1-1 while the Knights are 2-2 after four games.
North Penn 0-1-1 2
Central Bucks South 1-0-3 4
Shots: North Penn 19, CB South 40. Saves: Maks-Joseph Harkins (NP) 36, Dominic Varacallo (NP) 17.
First period: 1. Keith Waldron CBS (Aidan Linso/Logan Hood) 2:17.
Second period: 2. Danial Cabrales NP (Nolan Shingle) 2:10.
Third period: 3. Ryan Frey CBS (DJ Lindenmuth) 16:01; 4. Jeffrey Kvecher CBS (Joey Slobodrian/Aidan Linso) 10:55; 5. Christopher Seward NP (Derek DeLong) 2:08; 6. Joey Slobodrian CBS (Peter Herring) 1:21.
PENNRIDGE 13, SOUDERTON 5
Make no mistake about it, the 2022 season was a tough act to follow for last year’s squad.
It was inevitable after a 23-0-1 season that included winning the SHSHL title, a Flyers Cup championship and the 2022 PA State Cup for winning the state crown.
Not that last year was a bad year for the Rams, it wasn’t. They finished second in the regular season standings before falling to Pennsbury in the SHSHL semifinals. They rebounded to advance to the Flyers Cup final where they lost to a Pennsbury squad that was the state runner-up.
The sophomores on that state championship squad are seniors this year, and expectations run decidedly high for a Pennridge squad that is off to a 5-0 start after Wednesday’s convincing win over Souderton.
“Notwithstanding all the penalties tonight, it’s been a completely different vibe this year,” Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna said. “Last year was really hard. I didn’t appreciate how hard it was going to be, the players didn’t realize how hard it was going to be. I have a lot of respect for teams that can go back-to-back now.
“They know that they gave one away last year. They gave away a golden opportunity. It’s been a completely different vibe at practice and in games and the way we’re approaching games. We’re still struggling with the leadership aspect of it, but it’s been different, and it’s been much better.”
The change has not been lost on the players.
“Last year, we had to come together as a team,” senior Kevin Pico said. “Losing a bunch of seniors, you had to find out what players would fill what roles. Who’s going to be the goal scorers?”
So far this year, those questions have been answered. Pico is certainly a key part of that answer. In Wednesday’s win, Pico’s eight-point game led the Rams as he finished with three goals and five assists.
“This year, we have the goal scorers that can defend,” Pico said. “Two years ago, everyone had their roles, but it was different roles and different players filling them. This year, people are coming back and leading by example and showing the younger players what they should be doing.”
Pico wasn’t the only one to have a big night. Shane Dachowski had three goals and four assists for seven points, and Andrew Savona had a six-point game with three goals and three assists.
“In the end, it’s always the seniors,” Montagna said. “It’s that top line – it’s the Savonas, the Picos, the Dachowskis. Just in terms of even how they approach practice, that’s a real big thing.
“If you approach practice the right way, you don’t have to talk. You practice the right way, you play the right way – players will follow you. I just told them – players have to want to follow you. That’s all you have to do to be a leader. It’s a work in progress, but as someone who can be very critical of this team and not always happy – I’ve been really happy with how we’ve played and how we’ve approached things the first month.”
The first period of Wednesday’s game was a wild one with the teams combining for seven goals and the Rams holding a slim 4-3 lead despite a 23-9 advantage in shots.
Savona and Colin Dachowski scored goals within a one-minute span to spot the Rams a quick lead, but Seth Grossman (Maxwell Ryon assist) cut that lead in half with a goal for the Indians. James Rush answered for the Rams, but Ryon scored for the Indians. Then it was Shane Dachowski and Souderton’s Matthew Cross exchanging goals for the 4-3 score after one.
In the second period, the Rams began to seize control, reeling off goals by Shane Dachowski, Pico and Savona to go on top 7-3. Grossman’s goal made it a 7-4 game entering the final period.
A pair of goals by Pico sandwiched around a Shane Dachowski goal in just over two minutes early in the period put the Rams on top 10-3. The Indians never threatened.
Last year, Nick Young, who had a pair of assists in Wednesday’s win, was a newcomer to the Pennridge team as a sophomore after playing for Central Bucks East as a freshman
“Last year, we lost a lot of players, but we still had our main core, we still had amazing talent,” Young said. “This year, we’re a lot more team focused, we’re passing a lot more, and people aren’t playing for themselves.
“People are passing to each other, and there have been a lot of assists. I think it’s definitely gotten better. There’s definitely a different vibe.”
Montagna added, “Last year was just spent fighting them the whole time just because you’re constantly pushing them to forget about the year before, and there’s a certain level of entitlement that comes with winning, and it’s hard. We spent two months fighting ourselves trying to find something – we were trying to replicate something that couldn’t be replicated. They had to find their own path.”
So far, so good for the Rams, who are a perfect 5-0.
“I do have high expectations,” Young said. “We’re going to have a big rivalry with CR South again, but I think if we step into the game with how well we can play – I think we’ll be able to go against them.”
Souderton fell to 1-3 on the young season.
Pennridge 4-3-6 13
Souderton 3-1-1 5
Shots: Pennridge 46, Souderton 25. Saves: Andrew Slutsky (P) 20, Connor Paulus (S) 33.
First period: 1. Andrew Savona P (Colin Dachowski/Kevin Pico) 12:40; 2. Colin Dachowski P 11:35; 3. Seth Grossman S (Maxwell Ryon) 11:35; 4. James Rush P (Kevin Pico/Shane Dachowski) 8:51; 5. Maxwell Ryon S (Seth Grossman/Cameron Fairweather) 7:10; 6. Shane Dachowski P (Kevin Pico) 6:13; 7. Matthew Cross S (Sean Ryon) 5:42.
Second period: 8. Shane Dachowski P (Colin Dachowski/Nolan Shaw) 13:15; 9. Kevin Pico P (Shane Dachowski/Nicholas Young) 7:15; 10. Andrew Savona P (Shane Dachowski/Kevin Pico) 2:10: 11. Seth Grossman S (Maxwell Ryon/Cameron Fairweather) 1:31.
Third period: 12. Kevin Pico (Andrew Savona) 15:56; 13. Shane Dachowski P (Andrew Savona/Nicholas Young) 14:35; 14. Kevin Pico P (Andrew Savona/Shane Dachowski) 13:13; 15. Cameron Fairweather S (Maxwell Ryon) 8:34; 16. Andrew Savona P (Kevin Pico) 8:19; 17. Ryan Mikulich P (Jared Garber) 6:32; 18. James Rush (Nathan McKean/Joshua Kelly) 2:49.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 4, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 2
Corey Kosick was a one-man wrecking crew in Wednesday’s annual Turkey Bowl pitting the neighboring rivals.
Kosick scored three goals in the opening period. He assisted on a fourth to put the Patriots on top 4-0 in the opening minute of the second period. The Bucks staged a
comeback attempt, pulling to within two at the end of two periods. Neither team scored in the third period, and the Patriots held on to earn the win.
Kosick’s unassisted goal early in the opening period was followed his second goal assisted by Evan Asimakopoulos and Drew Trask. Less than a minute later, Kosick scored again, once again using assists from Asimakopoulos and Trask.
A goal by Asimakopoulos (Kosick assist) just over a minute into the third period gave the Patriots a 4-0 lead, but any thoughts they could coast the rest of the way were put to rest when West’s Anthony Dowd and Adam Ricci (Dowd assist) scored back-to-back goals in less than a minute late in the second period. Neither team scored the rest of the way.
East held a 40-24 advantage in shots. Liam Rogers kept the Bucks in it with a 36-save effort.
Central Bucks West 0-2-0 2
Central Bucks East 3-1-0 4
Shots: CBW 24, CBE 40. Saves: Liam Rogers (CBW) 36, Cole Breen (CBE) 22.
First period: 1. Corey Kosick CBE, 13:41; 2. Corey Kosick CBE (Evan Asimakopoulos/Drew Trask) 9:03; 3. Corey Kosick CBE (Evan Asimakopoulos/Drew Trask) 8:44.
Second period: 4. Evan Asimakopoulos CBE (Corey Kosick assist); 5. Anthony Dowd CBW, 4:25; 6. Adam Ricci CBW (Anthony Dowd) 4:05.
PENNSBURY 3, NESHAMINY 0
Defense was the name of the game in Wednesday’s Gannon Cup contest.
The teams combined for 64 shots – 34 by Pennsbury – and only three goals, all by the Falcons, who earned the hard fought win. Aaron McDaniel was perfect in goal for
Pennsbury, turning away all 30 of the shots he faced in a stellar outing to earn the win.
Shane Gleisner scored less than a minute into the game, using assists from Jacob Sarver and Christopher Saver. It turned out to be the game-winner. That 1-0 lead held until just 34 seconds remained in the opening period when Jacob Sarver scored on the power play with assists from Christopher Sarver and Logan Doyle.
Neither team scored in the second period, although the Redskins held a 13-8 advantage in shots in the period. The Falcons took that 2-0 lead into the final period when Jason Fowler scored an unassisted goal.
Neshaminy’s Cory Hemberger was credited with 31 saves in goal in a solid outing of his own.
Pennsbury 2-0-1 3
Neshaminy 0-0-0 0
Shots: Pennsbury 34, Neshaminy 30. Saves: Aaron McDaniel (P) 30, Cory Hemberger (N) 31.
First period: 1. Shane Gleisner P (Jacob Sarver/Christopher Sarver) 16:07; 2. Jacob Sarver P (Christopher Sarver/Logan Doyle) 00:34.
Second period: No Goals
Third period: 3. Jason Fowler P, 00:29.
HATBORO-HORSHAM/UPPER DUBLIN 7, SPRINGFIELD 6 (OT)
With just under two minutes remaining in overtime, Kevin McGinly turned a pass from William Hurlburt into a goal, propelling Hatboro-Horsham/Upper Dublin to the dramatic win. Hurlburt’s five-point night – which included three goals and two assists - led H-H/UD.
Owen Quinn – whose five-point game led the Spartans – scored his first of four goals midway through the opening period. H-H/UD responded with three unanswered goals in a five-minute span late in the quarter. McGinley (Hurlburt assist), Nathan Nemchinov (Victor Wilkins assist) and Hurlburt each scored a goal to put H-H/UD on top 3-1. Nemchinov’s came on a power play.
Springfield’s Gabriel Wells scored a power play goal with a Quinn assist to open the second period. That 3-2 score stood until 3:40 remained in the quarter when Hurlburt connected on a shorthanded goal with a McGinly assist.Owen Quinn connected on another power play goal, this one with a Grayson Quinn assist. Back-to-back goals by Owen Quinn (Grayson Quinn assist) and Wells (Grayson Quinn/Felix Boccella assists) sent Springfield into the final period with a 5-4 lead.
Owen Quinn’s unassisted goal on the power play put the Spartans on top 6-4. Hurlburt (James Cortez assist) and Nemchinov (Jonah Fisher/Reid Rochestie assists) answered with goals for H-H/UD. Nemchinov’s came on the power play with 1:09 remaining to send the game into overtime.
Springfield held a 40-36 advantage in shots, an advantage H-H/UD goalie negated with his 34-save effort.
Springfield 1-4-1-0 6
H-H/UD 3-1-2-1 7
Shots: Springfield 40, H-H/UD 36. Saves: Liam Baskin/James Sarsfield (S) 29, Max Kepniss (H-H/UD) 34.
First period: 1. Owen Quinn S, 8:34; 2. Kevin McGinly H-H/UD (William Hurlburt) 7:54; 3. Nathan Nemchinov H-H/UD (Victor Wilkins) 6:43; 4. William Hurlburt HH-UD, 2:50.
Second period: 5. Gabriel Wells S (Owen Quinn) 16:19; 6. William Hurlburt HH-UD (Kevin McGinly) 3:40; 7. Owen Quinn S (Grayson Quinn) 2:42; 8. Owen Quinn S (Grayson Quinn) 2:26; 9. Gabriel Wells S (Grayson Quinn/Felix Boccella) 2:04.
Third period: 10. Owen Quinn S, 16:27; 11. William Hurlburt HH-UD (James Cortez) 10:25; 12. Nathan Nemchinov H-H/UD (Jonah Fisher/Reid Rochestie) 1:09.
Overtime: 13. Kevin McGinly H-H/UD (William Hurlburt) 1:41.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 10, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0
Nikita Volobuiev’s two-goal, two-assist effort led a balanced Golden Hawks attack that saw 10 different players contribute to the scoring in Wednesday’s annual Rock Cup contest.
The Golden Hawks opened up a 3-0 lead after one period, thanks to single goals from Jake Maurer (Chase Tovsky/Gavin Nisenzon assists), Volobuiev and James Dilulio (Volobuiev assist).
in the second period, Jackson Mosley scored back-to-back goals – the first with a Jordan Sarne assist and the second assisted by Kevin Koles. Then it was Koles (Nisenzon assist), Daniel Filippov (Blaize Pepe assist) and Volobuiev (Illia Mukhin assist) each scoring one goal.
The Golden Hawks brought an early end to the game with goals by Koles (Volobuiev assist) and Sarne (Filippov/Mosley assists) in the opening minutes of the third period.
The Golden Hawks’ dominance is underscored by their 36-5 advantage in shots.
Council Rock South upped it early season record to 5-0 while Rock North is searching for its first win.
Council Rock North 0-0-0 0
Council Rock South 3-5-2 10
Shots: CRN 5, CRS 36. Saves: Ian Goldberg (CRN) 26, Trevor Rakszawski/Trey Prozzillo (CRS) 5.
First period: 1. Jake Maurer CRS (Chase Tovsky/Gavin Nisenzon) 7:46; 2. Nikita Volobuiev CRS, 5:52; 3. James Dilulio CRS (Nikita Volobuiev) 2:31.
Second period: 4. Jackson Mosley CRs (Jordan Sarne) 12:30; 5. Jackson Mosley CRS (Kevin Koles) 12:01; 6. Kevin Koles CRS (Gavin Nisenzon) 9:08; 7. Daniel Filippov CRS (Blaize Pepe) 3:34; 8. Nikita Volobuiev CRS (Illia Mukhin) 2:50.
Third period: 9. Kevin Koles CRS (Nikita Volobuiev) 12:00; 10. Jordan Sarne CRS (Dnaiel Filippov/Jackson Mosley) 11:09.
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