This week’s SOL SHSHL ice hockey notebook features CB South, Abington & Wissahickon.
By Scott Huff
Recess!
The Suburban High School Hockey League will be taking its end of the calendar year recess from conference competition. The SHSHL will return to conference action a week from Friday (1/2/15) for both the National and Continental Conference, while the American Conference will resume conference play the following Thursday (1/8/15).
Happy New Year!
And the beat goes on…
SHSHL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks South Titans
Central Bucks South is the defending Pennsylvania State Champions after defeating Bishop Canevin 5-2 in the state final – but that accomplishment didn’t come easily.
“There was a lot of work done to build this program,” said Central Bucks South head coach Tom Coyne. “Myself and Jim Calistia began five years ago to coach both the varsity and junior varsity teams. The players become very familiar with the system that we want to play, and it has proven to be successful.
“The players on this year’s team want to continue that tradition of excellence,” added Coyne. “There are a lot of good teams out there – and we know that we have to work hard to continue to be successful.”
A huge part of that current success – CB South is 5-0 in SHSHL play - will come on the defensive end of the ice. The talented Titans return both their marvelous goaltender - Aaron King - along with a trio of elite blue line defenders in juniors Connor Matsinger, Thomas Liberta, and Jared Conroy.
“Aaron is back in goal for us again and has been very strong,” said Coyne as King has a microscopic 0.80 goals against average in SHSHL play. “And one of those three defensemen are on the ice the entire game – power plays, penalty kills, and even strength.
“We have a hot line playing right now in (sophomore) Damon Delaurentis, (freshman) Joe Delaurentis, and (senior) Leo Flick,” added Coyne. “We have a nice blend on that line of young, very young, and old.
“The program has set the bar very high – and we are comfortable with that,” continued Coyne. “Winning sometimes goes in cycles – and right now we’re having a good run.”
SHSHL Continental Conference Standings
Central Bucks West Bucks 4 1 3 * 11
Central Bucks East Patriots 4 2 3 * 11
Central Bucks South Titans 5 0 0 * 10
North Penn Knights 5 2 0 * 10
Pennridge Rams 2 6 0 * 4
Souderton Indians 0 8 0 * 0
SHSHL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Abington Ghosts
Abington came up with a signature 6-4 SHSHL National Conference win last week as the Ghosts topped previously (conference) unbeaten William Tennent.
“That was by far the best three periods we have played all year,” said Abington head coach Pat Croce. “We struggled the next night against North Penn (11-4 loss), but playing back-to-back nights can be tough and North Penn is an excellent team.”
In the win over the Panthers, seniors Alex DeCristofano and Chris Shannon carried the offensive load for the Ghosts.
“Alex is a great two-way player who is extremely hard to knock off the puck,” said Croce. “And Chris is an excellent back checker with a wicked shot.
“Brian Scipione and Hayden O’Hara have stepped up and played very well together,” continued Croce. “And we are beginning to get a little more stability out of our goaltenders.”
Abington lost the services of senior Thomas Meehan for the season with a sprained MCL – freshman Evan Metz was sidelined due to sickness – and sophomore Kyle Burke was left to handle the bulk of the ice time.
“I really want to acknowledge how well Kyle played for us,” said Croce. “He played tough mentally and never gave up. He hung in there each and every game.
“With the New Year we want to set some new goals,” added Croce. “The coaches and the players are excited for the rest of the season.”
SHSHL National Conference Standings
Pennsbury Falcons 6 2 0 * 12
William Tennent Panthers 5 1 0 * 10
CR North Indians 3 3 1 * 7
CR South Golden Hawks 3 3 1 * 7
Abington Ghosts 2 6 0 * 4
Neshaminy Redskins 2 6 0 * 4
SHSHL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Wissahickon Trojans
Wissahickon (6-1-1, 13) will look back at its 10-9 SHSHL American Conference win over Truman (7-1-1, 15) as a defining victory.
“We were down to 11 players due to suspensions and injuries – and that included our best two players,” said Wissahickon head coach Mike Wolf. “I just told the kids that every player was going to get a ton of ice time – and we had them believe that less was more.
“I think every kid in that game stepped up and scored a point,” added Wolf as the Trojans outscored the first place Tigers 6-2 in the final period to earn the win. “It was an incredible last period – an incredible game.”
Right now it appears to be a three-team race in the SHSHL American Conference with Truman (15 points), Wissahickon (13 points), and Hatboro-Horsham (13 points) all fighting for a conference championship.
“All three of those teams are very competitive with each other,” said Wolf. “It is going to be a battle all season between those three teams.”
Wissahickon has received solid goaltending from junior Noah Katz.
“Noah never played a game on ice hockey until last year,” said Wolf. “He was a lacrosse goalie and a friend of my son (Kyle). And Kyle asked him to come out for the team when we were shorthanded, and he has done an amazing job. He is a natural athlete that has made some huge saves for us this year.
“And I am proud of the way our defensemen have played this season,” added Wolf in reference to (junior) son Kyle, sophomore Matt Wilson, and sophomore Kevin Schaeffer. “They have played tough and have not played scared of anyone.”
The leading goal scorer for the Trojans has been junior Brandon Rosoff.
“Brandon doesn’t always look that impressive, but he is always on the score sheet,” said Wolf. “He is a great passer and can finish off around the net.”
SHSHL American Conference Standings
Truman Tigers 7 1 1 * 15
Wissahickon Trojans 6 1 1 * 13
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 5 3 3 * 13
Upper Dublin Cardinals 3 6 1 * 7
PW Colonials 3 6 0 * 6
Lower Moreland Lions 1 3 4 * 6
Upper Moreland Bears 2 7 0 * 4
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