By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SHSHL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Pennsbury Falcons
Pennsbury has been at the top of the leader board for the entire 2014-2015 SHSHL National Conference season.
“At the beginning of the season, I thought we might be a middle of the road team,” said Pennsbury head coach 
Joe Deery. “But we have really played well. We want to remain competitive in every game – and it would be nice to get a high seed in the playoffs and get a shot at playing in the Flyers Cup.”
The strength of the Falcons this season has been the ability to score goals. The top line of junior Jack Kelly (14 goals, 16 assists, 30 points) – senior Kevin Koerner (8-13-21) – and sophomore Luke Ledes (10-13-23) has been extremely productive.
“I have never seen a player with the hands that Jack has,” said Deery. “He is a great stick handler and can see the entire ice. Jack left our team for a year (private school) and now he is back. And we are happy he is here.
“Kevin is the player that goes into the corners and sets up the others for goals,” added Deery. “His biggest asset is that he seems to know where everyone is on the ice and gets them the puck in scoring situations.
“Luke is a very smart player who started for us last year as a freshman,” continued Deery. “He might be small, but he is very talented and extremely fast.”
The Pennsbury blue line defense is anchored by a couple of seniors – Mike Tarasiewicz and Craig Meschel – and shows promise in a trio of freshmen – Kyle Wilkins, Zach Wilkins, and Cameron Polo.
“Mike is the heart and soul of the team, and Craig is a scoring threat as a defenseman,” said Deery. “And the three freshmen have all stepped up and show a lot of potential.”
The Falcon net has been minded by senior Trevor Shandler.
“Trevor had a rough beginning of the season, but he has come up big in some games,” said Deery. “We are going to have to rely on him the rest of the season.”
SHSHL National Conference Standings
1. Pennsbury Falcons 7 3 0 * 14
2. William Tennent Panthers 6 3 0 * 12
3. Council Rock South Hawks 5 3 1 * 11
4. Council Rock North Indians 3 5 1 * 7
5. Abington Ghosts 3 7 0 * 6
Neshaminy Redskins 3 7 0 * 6
‘On Ice’ This Week in the SHSHL National Conference
Wednesday (1/14/15)
William Tennent vs. Central Bucks South – 8:10 @ Bucks County Ice
Thursday (1/15/15)
Pennridge vs. Council Rock North – 7:00 @ Warwick
Council Rock South vs. Neshaminy – 7:20 @ Grundy
Friday (1/16/15)
Abington vs. Council Rock South – 7:15 @ Bucks County Ice
SHSHL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Souderton Indians
Souderton was one win away from winning the 2014 Flyers Cup, losing to eventual state champion Central Bucks South - 5-2. And this year, well, the Indians (0-10 SHSHL) are one win away from their first conference win.
“We graduated 14 seniors – and 12 of those were the core of that team,” said Souderton head coach Matt Montagna. “Going into the season, we knew what to expect. The great thing about playing 12 seniors is their varsity experience – but the bad thing was that they blocked the younger players from gaining any varsity experience.
“Last year was the ‘perfect storm’ for our team,” added Montagna. “And this year has been the ‘perfect storm’ in reverse.”
Souderton may not have collected its first conference win – but the young band of Indians has been competitive in a number of games.
“If we were getting 10-goaled and losing by the mercy-rule – I would be concerned,” said Montagna. “The fact is that we play in an excellent conference with CB South, CB West, CB East, North Penn, and Pennridge – that is a lot of trial by fire.
“Our problem is scoring – we have just 10 goals in 10 games,” added Montagna. “This is frustrating because we have had opportunities – this team has hit more posts than any team I have ever seen.”
Montagna mentioned the leadership of senior JD Killough - and the promise of freshman Josh Reeves, sophomore goaltender Dawson Anders and freshman goalie Joshua Smith.
“JD has done a remarkable job considering he is now on a team with 11 sophomores and freshmen,” said Montagna. “And Josh Reeves can skate with anyone in the league.
“Dawson may not have a great goals-against average, but his save percentage (.861) is better than last year,” added Montagna. “And Joshua Smith has alternated with Dawson and has looked very good.
“We may not have the wins we would like to have at this point of the season,” continued Montagna. “ But this is a great group of kids to work with.”
SHSHL Continental Conference Standings
1. Central Bucks West Bucks 6 1 3 * 15
2. North Penn Knights 7 2 0 * 14
3. Central Bucks South Titans 6 0 1 * 13
4. Central Bucks East Patriots 4 3 4 * 12
5. Pennridge Rams 2 7 0 * 4
6. Souderton Indians 0 10 0 * 0
‘On Ice’ This Week in the SHSHL Continental Conference
Wednesday (1/14/15)
William Tennent vs. Central Bucks South – 8:10 @ Bucks County Ice
Pennridge vs. North Penn – 9:00 @ Hatfield
Thursday (1/15/15)
Pennridge vs. Council Rock North – 7:00 @ Warwick
Friday (1/16/15)
Central Bucks East vs. Souderton – 7:20 @ Hatfield
SHSHL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Lower Moreland Lions
Lower Moreland has proven to be competitive with most of the conference with four ties in nine games – but the undermanned Lions have just a single win.
“We had a strong end at the end of 2014 - and we hope that carries over to 2015,” said Lower Moreland head coach Joe Sauls as the Lions were 1-1-1 over the final three conference games. “We have limited resources – we don’t get to practice a whole lot – and we have a small roster.
“Our goal is to try to be competitive and get as close to .500 as we can,” added Sauls. “We want to teach them the game of hockey – we don’t have a lot of varsity experience. We want them to leave this season with some hockey sense.”
The Lion offense this season has come from the duo of senior Cory Blumenthal and sophomore Sean Irving.
“Sean is a hustler and a great back checker,” said Sauls. “And Cory has good skills – very soft hands – and can really handle the stick.”
Lower Moreland features three defensemen on defense in senior Sam Sauls, senior Matt Blau, and freshman Brennan Bostick.
“Sam and Brennan are both offensive-defensemen who like to rush the puck into the offensive end,” said Sauls. “And Matt is much more of a stay-at-home defenseman who is solid in front of the net.”
Lion senior goaltender Eric Spahr is much better than his goals-against numbers would indicate.
“Eric doesn’t have great numbers, but we give up a whole lot of shots on goal,” said Sauls. “Eric has made enough saves to give us ties in games that we might not deserve to win.”
SHSHL American Conference Standings
1. Wissahickon Trojans 8 1 1 * 17
2. Harry S Truman Tigers 7 2 1 * 15
3. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 5 3 4 * 14
4. Upper Dublin Cardinals 4 6 1 * 9
5. Plymouth Whitemarsh 3 6 1 * 7
6. Lower Moreland Lions 1 4 4 * 6
7. Upper Moreland Bears 2 8 0 * 4
‘On Ice’ This Week in the SHSHL American Conference
Wednesday (1/14/15)
Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. Wissahickon – 6:30 @ Bucks County Ice
Upper Dublin vs. Truman – 8:40 @ Grundy
Thursday (1/15/15)
Upper Dublin vs. Upper Moreland – 7:20 @ Wintersport
Lower Moreland vs. Hatboro-Horsham – 8:45 @ Warwick
Truman vs. Wissahickon – 9:00 @ Grundy
Friday (1/16/15)
Plymouth Whitemarsh vs.Lower Moreland – 7:00 - Warwick
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