This week’s notebook features North Penn, William Tennent & Hatboro-Horsham and includes the point leaders.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SHSHL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
North Penn Knights
North Penn head coach Kevin Vaitis might have the best team in the SHSHL – Central Bucks South and Central Bucks West will strongly compete with the Blue & White for that title - but the Knight coach knows for sure that he has the best player in the SHSHL in senior Alex Peterson.
“Alex was the Player of the Year last year, and he has picked up right where he has left off,” said Vaitis of his senior scoring machine who leads the SHSHL in scoring with 26 goals and 16 assists. “It is interesting in that teams try hard to shut him down – and he thrives on that competition. Alex just plays the game at a very high level and has that extra gear.”
Peterson has some talented line mates as well on that first line. Junior Spencer Silver (12 goals – 11 assists) and senior Derek Heckler (3 goals – 7 assists) provide offensive firepower.
“Derek missed a couple of games and we moved Nathan Oh on the Peterson line,” said Vaitis in reference to his freshman skater. “Nathan didn’t shy away from playing with the older kids, and he showed his speed and unselfishness.”
Vaitis is excited about the return of junior Jake Heckenberger to the North Penn roster.
“Jake is playing on a high-level travel team and wasn’t sure if he could handle playing with both teams,” said Vaitis. “But he decided that he could – and we are very happy to have him back with us.”
Vaitis is also happy to have the brilliant goaltending tandem of senior Jake Snyder and junior John Roberts. Snyder is 5-0-1 with a terrific 1.67 goals against average, while Roberts is 2-0 with an equally terrific 2.00 goals against average.
“Jake has been playing more lately, but both of them are excellent goaltenders,” said Vaitis. “Finding playing time for them is a great problem to have.”
The next problem that Vaitis will have to solve is the Knights next game against the unbeaten (SHSHL) and defending state champion Central Bucks South Titans (6-0).
“South is a great program that plays at a very high level,” said Vaitis. “They are very strong defensively, very dangerous on offense, and they have one of the best goalies in the area in Aaron King.
“This is our first game with them this year – we will have a second one later in the season – and chances are we are going to have to play them again in the Flyers Cup,” added Vaitis. “This is a game that you don’t want to outcoach yourself. We’ll come to play the way we always do – and we’ll see what happens.”
The North Penn-CB South battle will take place on Thursday (1/7/16) at the Revolutions Ice Garden – face-off @ 7:10 pm.
SHSHL Continental Conference Standings
1. North Penn Knights 7 0 1 * 15
2. Central Bucks West Bucks 7 0 0 * 14
3. Central Bucks South Titans 6 0 0 * 12
4. Pennridge Rams 5 3 1 * 11
5. Central Bucks East Patriots 2 5 0 * 4
Souderton Indians 2 5 0 * 4
SHSHL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
William Tennent Panthers
William Tennent head coach Nick D’Aurizoand his Panthers are on top of the SHSHL National Conference standings as the 2016 calendar season begins.
“Right now it looks like us and Council Rock South are the strongest teams in our conference,” said D’Aurizo. “And I think both of us can play with the best teams in the other (SHSHL Continental) conference like CB South, North Penn, and CB West. We are a team that is on the rise.
“I think we played our most complete game right before the break,” added D’Aurizo in reference to the Panthers 11-2 victory over Neshaminy. “But even with that – I think it is good to have the break and reset for the rest of the season.”
William Tennent was been led on the offensive side of the ice by senior Alec Dugan.
“Alec has been great all season,” said D’Aurizo of his alternate captain. “He never takes a night off – and he has played with a great attitude.
“He has always had the skill to be a top player, and this year he has accepted a leadership role on the team,” added the coach. “He has been our MVP.”
William Tennent has been led along the blue line by senior Charlie Feeney.
“Charlie is our captain and has always provided a calming effect on the ice,” said D’Aurizo. “He has always been solid on defense, and this year he has stepped up offensively. He is the quarterback of our power play – and he just does everything well.”
William Tennent has been strong in goal with sophomore Eric Lineman.
“Eric has kept us in every game – and that says a lot about a sophomore goaltender,” said D’Aurizo. “He is a young kid that is seeing shots taken by 18-year-old kids. His maturation has been amazing.”
SHSHL National Conference Standings
1. William Tennent Panthers 4 1 1 * 9
2. Council Rock South Hawks 3 3 1 * 7
3. Pennsbury Falcons 3 5 0 * 6
4. Neshaminy Redskins 2 4 1 * 5
5. Abington Ghosts 0 7 1 * 1
6. Archbishop Wood 0 8 0 * 0
SHSHL Varsity ‘AA’ Top Ten Scorers
1. Alex Peterson North Penn Knights 26 16 * 42
2. Jack Kelly Pennsbury Falcons 12 11 * 23
Spencer Silver North Penn Knights 12 11 * 23
4. Matt Stoll Central Bucks South 9 10 * 19
5. Alec Dugan William Tennent 13 5 * 18
Michael Padgeon Pennridge Rams 12 6 * 18
7. Damon DeLaurentis CB South Titans 9 8 * 17
8. Bryan McIntosh CB East Patriots 11 5 * 16
Troy Crossen Pennridge Rams 13 3 * 16
Jason Bechtel CB South Titans 6 10 * 16
Shawn Phillips CB West Bucks 7 9 * 16
SHSHL 2016 Varsity AA Schedule
Wednesday * January 6, 2016
Archbishop Wood Vikings vs. Pennridge Rams @ Hatfield – 7:20 pm
Central Bucks West Bucks vs. Neshaminy Redskins @ Grundy – 7:20 pm
Central Bucks East Patriots vs. Pennsbury Falcons @ Grundy – 9 pm
Thursday * January 7, 2016
North Penn Knights vs. Central Bucks South Titans @ Revolutions Ice Garden – 7:10 pm
Neshaminy Redskins vs. Souderton Indians @ Hatfield – 7:20 pm
Council Rock South Golden Hawks vs. Abington Ghosts @ Wintersport – 7:20 pm
William Tennent Panthers vs. Pennsbury Falcons @ Grundy – 7:20 pm
Friday * January 8, 2016
Central Bucks East Patriots vs. Central Bucks South Titans @ Revolutions Ice Garden – 7:10 pm
William Tennent Panthers vs. Souderton Indians @ Hatfield – 7:20 pm
SHSHL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Hatboro-Horsham head coach Gus Salfiti has a precious commodity on his team in the person of sophomore captain Nathan Reilly.
“Nathan has a heart of gold,” said Salfiti. “He is a good skater, a good stick handler, and has speed. Nathan is something to build our program around.
“He was elected captain by committee,” added Salfiti. “Both the coaching staff and the players on the team voted him to be the leader. He is like having a second coach on the ice.
“Nathan is our best goal scorer (five goals and three assists in seven games), and is our best defenseman,” continued Salfiti. “He can really carry the puck from the defensive to the offensive end of the ice.”
The Hatters other scoring threat has been another sophomore – Jake Mueller.
“Jake is a big and strong kid with a big and strong shot,” said Salfiti. “Plus he is very smart on the ice.”
Hatboro depends on senior goaltender Ryan McElroy to keep the puck out of the net.
“Ryan is a great kid and works hard,” said Salfiti. “He has been the only goalie that we have had in the program the last four years. He was a brand new goaltender when he started.
“My son, Jimmy, is now our goaltending coach,” added Salfiti. “Jimmy has a lot of playing experience at the college level and should be able to pass some things on to Ryan.
“We have some tough games to play against teams like Truman and Council Rock North,” continued Salfifi. “Our goal is to try and compete with the tougher opponents in the league – but really what I want the kids to do most is to have fun playing hockey.”
SHSHL American Conference Standings
1. Harry S Truman Tigers 8 0 0 * 16
2. Council Rock North Indians 6 1 1 * 13
3. Wissahickon Trojans 5 2 0 * 10
4. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 2 6 0 * 4
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2 6 0 * 4
6. Lower Moreland Lions 0 8 1 * 1
SHSHL Varsity ‘A’ Top Ten Scorers
1. Michael Roarty Truman Tigers 21 15 * 36
2. Mark Tosti CR North Indians 12 11 * 23
3. Kyle Bennett Truman Tigers 16 6 * 22
4. Steven Avellino Truman Tigers 9 10 * 19
5. Cavan Tully CR North Indians 7 10 * 17
Brandon Rosoff Wissahickon Trojans 13 4 * 17
Kyle Wolf Wissahickon Trojans 4 13 * 17
8. John Vanni CR North Indians 7 9 * 16
9. Ross Koenig Truman Tigers 4 11 * 15
Daniel Guest CR North Indians 9 3 * 12
Chris Rinaldi Plymouth Whitemarsh 8 4 * 12
SHSHL 2016 Varsity ‘A’ Schedule
Wednesday * January 6, 2016
Harry S Truman Tigers vs. Wissahickon Trojans @ Hatfield – 9 pm
Thursday * January 7, 2016
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters vs. Lower Moreland Lions @ Revolutions Ice Garden – 8:50 pm
Council Rock North Indians vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh @ Hatfield – 9 pm
Friday * January 8, 2016
Council Rock North Indians vs. Wissahickon Trojans @ Bucks County Ice – 6:50 pm
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