This week’s notebook features CR North, Truman and CB East.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SHSHL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Council Rock North Indians
Don’t let the Council Rock North record (1-3-1) fool you – the Indians have been more than competitive this SHSHL season.
“We have had some tough losses, but I am far from discouraged with this team,” said veteran head coach Eric Tye. “The players are all giving effort and learning. We have nine forwards – and eight of the nine are either freshmen or sophomores.
“We lost a close game to first place Pennsbury (5-4), gave up some late goals and tied CB East (3-3), lost to a very good CB West (2-0), and our only bad loss came against CR South (5-1),” added Tye. “And we came back from that game to beat Souderton (5-1).”
The Rock North defense has been rock solid thus far this year. Senior goaltender Andy Cicconi has been strong in net, while the defense has also been strong. Senior Joe Rutkowsi, junior Andrew Speeney, and junior Dante Rienzi anchor the blue line.
“Andy is a great kid who will give a great effort and work very hard – he has been our best player so far,” said Tye. “And the three defensemen have both experience and provide the team with leadership.”
The lone senior on the scoring lines for the Indians is Colton Snow – who is joined by sophomore Karmeron Bontempo and freshman Daniel Guest. The other scoring line consists of sophomore Mark Tosti along with freshmen Johnny Vanni and Cavan Tully.
“Colton is the backbone of our offense,” said Tye. “And the young kids on the second line have developed a great chemistry.
“The games we have coming up before the new calendar year are very important to us,” added Tye. “Our goal is to reach .500 by the New Year.”
SHSHL National Conference Standings
Pennsbury Falcons 5 1 0 * 10
William Tennent Panthers 3 0 0 * 6
Council Rock South Hawks 2 2 1 * 5
Neshaminy Redskins 2 3 0 * 4
Council Rock North Indians 1 3 1 * 3
Abington Ghosts 1 3 0 * 2
SHSHL National Conference Scoring Leaders
Jack Kelly Pennsbury 8 8 * 16
Luke Ledes Pennsbury 4 11 * 15
Kevin Koerner Pennsbury 6 7 * 13
Andrew Bean W. Tennent 5 4 * 9
Kyle Bradley CR South 4 3 * 7
Mike Padgeon W. Tennent 3 4 * 7
SHSHL National Conference Goalie Leaders
CJ LinemanWilliam Tennent1.00
Trevor Shadler Pennsbury 2.67
Andy Cicconi CR North 3.20
‘On Ice’ this week in the SHSHL National Conference
Wednesday (12/10)
William Tennent vs Neshaminy @ Grundy – 8:40
Thursday (12/11)
North Penn vs. Council Rock North @ Warwick – 7:00
Pennsbury vs. Abington @ Wintersport – 7:20
Friday (12/12)
Abington vs. Pennridge @ Hatfield – 7:20
SHSHL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Truman Tigers
Truman head coach Bill Keyserhad a tough decision to make before the season – should the Tigers compete on the Class ‘AA’ level or the Class ‘A’ level.
“We play Neshaminy (Class AA) on Thursday and that might be a good indication that playing at the ‘A’ level was the right decision,” said Keyser. “We have been very successful playing at this level (5-0-1), but I want this program to be competitive – not dominant.”
One player that has been dominant for Truman this year has been senior Zachary Bennett. Bennett leads the SHSHL American Conference in scoring with 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points.
“Zach’s numbers are amazing so far this year,” said Keyser. “The kid had the entire package – size, ability, and is a player that any coach would want to coach.
“Zach has shown great leadership,” added Keyser. “When he is on the ice he draws a great deal of attention and opens up the ice for the other kids. He can control a game.”
Bennett plays on a high-scoring Tiger line that also features sophomore brother Kyle Bennett and sophomore Michael Roarty.
“Both Kyle and Michael do a good job of controlling the puck and at the same time seeing the ice,” said Keyser. “With both of them being sophomores, it is a good look into the future of the Truman program.”
Both Christian Mollando and Ross Koenig anchor the blue line for the Tigers.
“Both of them are very solid,” said Keyser. “They can both move well with the puck and have good shots from the point.”
Truman features some inexperience in goal – but Keyser is confident in freshman net minder Kyle Huth.
“Kyle is very green – this is only his second year of playing hockey,” said Keyser. “Our goal for him this year is to bring his play to the next level.”
SHSHL American Conference Standings
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 5 2 2 * 12
Truman Tigers 5 0 1 * 11
Wissahickon Trojans 5 1 0 * 10
Plymouth Whitemarsh 3 4 0 * 6
Upper Dublin Cardinals 2 5 0 * 4
Lower Moreland Lions 0 3 3 * 3
Upper Moreland Bears 0 5 0 * 0
SHSHL American Conference Scoring Leaders
Zachary BennettTruman 13 17 * 30
Luke Zachy U. Dublin 17 6 * 23
Chris Zawislak PW 14 7 * 21
Brandon Rosoff Wiss. 11 10 * 21
Michael Roarty Truman 7 14 * 21
SHSHL Goalie Leaders
Jake Madelevsky Wissahickon3.05
Noah Katz Wissahickon3.26
Kyle Huth Truman 3.50
Ryan McAElroy H-H 3.67
‘On Ice’ this week in the SHSHL American Conference
Wednesday (12/10)
Hatboro-Horsham vs. Wissahickon @ Bucks County Ice – 6:30
Lower Moreland vs. Upper Dublin @ Bucks County Ice – 8:00
Thursday (12/11)
Upper Moreland vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh @ BCI – 6:30
Friday (12/12)
Upper Moreland vs. Upper Dublin @ Warwick – 7:00
SHSHL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks East Patriots
Central Bucks East head coach Sean Mullen is in his first year as head coach of the Patriots.
“I have been with the club the last five years, and I know the players and the players know me,” said Mullen. “Things have been going great so far, and we’re starting to play some of our best hockey in recent games.
“We have been doing a better job of playing as a team,” added Mullen. “When we focus on basic hockey – we play the game much better.”
CB East has split the time in goal between senior Steve Gilcrest and junior Evan Angotti. And both have been very effective this season as Gilcrest boasts a 1.33 goals against average in three games – and Angotti boasts a 2.00 GAA in three games.
“Steve has been very solid in goal – and he has done that ever since he’s been with us,” said Mullen. “And Evan came back twice the size he was last year and has been playing very well.”
Mullen mixes and matches his top defensemen – senior Luke Rossi and senior Nick Esposito.
“Depending on the game, sometimes I play them together, and sometimes I split them up to play with the younger players,” said Mullen. “Both have been very good teachers for us and know what is expected.”
The Patriots mix and match two offensive lines. Those players include sophomore Bryan McIntosh, senior Nick Chimeria, freshman Colin Quinn, junior Austin Chase, senior Brennan Kolar, and junior Alex Wasserman.
“Once we start taking more shots on goal, we’ll score more,” said Mullen. “Sometimes we try to do too much with the puck and we miss scoring chances.”
CB East meets CB West in a showdown on Thursday (12/11/14).
“This is the best CB West team that I have seen in years,” said Mullen. “I am really impressed with the way they play.”
SHSHL Continental Conference Standings
Central Bucks West Bucks 3 0 2 * 8
Central Bucks East Patriots 3 1 2 * 8
Central Bucks South Titans 3 0 0 * 6
North Penn Knights 2 1 0 * 4
Pennridge Rams 1 5 0 * 2
Souderton Indians 0 6 0 * 0
SHSHL Continental Conference Scoring Leaders
Jake Heckenberger North Penn 5 9 * 14
Alex Peterson North Penn 9 4 * 13
Nick Chimeria CB East7 4 * 11
Austin Chase CB East7 4 * 11
Leo Flick CB South 5 6 * 11
Aaron CrossmanPennridge 4 7 * 11
Bryan McIntosh CB East 3 8 * 11
SHSHL Goalie Leaders
Aaron King CB South 1.00
Steve Gilcrest CB East 1.33
Jonah Brous CB West 1.60
Evan Angotti CB East 2.00
Mike Weaver Pennridge 3.00
‘On Ice’ this week in the SHSHL Continental Conference
Wednesday (12/10)
North Penn vs. Souderton @ Hatfield – 7:20
CB West vs. CB South @ Hatfield – 9:00
Thursday (12/11)
North Penn vs. Council Rock North @ Warwick – 7:00
CB West vs. CB East @ Warwick – 8:45
Friday (12/12)
Abington vs. Pennridge @ Hatfield – 7:20
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