This week’s notebook features CB South, CR South and PW and recaps last week’s SOL SHSHL action.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SHSHL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks South Titans
Central Bucks South (10-1-1, 21) is both the defending Flyers Cup Champion and the defending PIAA Class AAA state champion – and the Titans are in the middle of a SHSHL Continental Conference battle of conference supremacy with both CB West (8-1-5, 21) and North Penn (9-2-2, 20).
“We’re 10-1-1 in the league, but I would be a lot happier if we were 12-0,” kidded Central Bucks South head coach Tom Coyne. “Our goal, of course, is to repeat as Flyers Cup and state champions – last year might be a once in a lifetime thing.
“We have a couple of really tough games this week against North Penn and Central Bucks East (6-3-5, 17),” added Coyne. “We have always had a rivalry with both of those schools, and the games this week should be a challenge.
“Our conference is so good and all of the teams get up to play us,” continued Coyne. “And I wouldn’t want it any other way. If we were playing a Flyers Cup and state champion, we would be fired up to play them.”
The cornerstone of the Titans’ success this season has been their superb defense. Goaltender Aaron King and defensemen Connor Matsinger, Thomas Liberta, and Jared Conroy are among the elite players in the league.
“Once Aaron got healthy last year – we rode him the rest of the way,” said Coyne. “He isn’t just as good as he was last year – he is much more mature and much better.
“And Matsinger, Liberta, and Conroy have been terrific on defense,” added Coyne. “We are very strong both in goal and on the defensive end of the ice.
“We take a lot of pride in the competition we play during the year in our league,” continued Coyne. “The league is getting stronger, and the teams get stronger as a result.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL Continental Conference
Central Bucks South (10-1-1, 21) remained on top of the conference standings as the Titans won their only game of the week with a 6-2 victory over Pennsbury (7-5-0, 14). The goal scorers for CB South were Connor Matsinger, Bryan Dunton, Brendan Clements, Anthony Rubas, Brian Uzelac, and Leo Flick. Aaron King registered 13 saves in goal to earn the win.
Central Bucks West (8-1-5, 21) remained on top of the conference standings as the Bucks won their only game of the week with a 4-2 victory over Pennridge (3-12-0, 6). Luke McCleerey, Shawn Phillips, Michael Samson, Eric Schwass were the goal scorers for CB West. Jonah Brous was outstanding in goal for the Bucks with 17 saves.
North Penn Knights (9-2-2, 20) remained in title contention as the Knights won their only game of the week. North Penn defeated winless Souderton (0-14-0, 0) by a 10-5 margin. Jake Heckenberger was a scoring machine as he cranked out five goals to spark the Knight offense, while Derek Heckler and Alex Peterson each scored two goals. Jake Snyder (14 saves) and John Roberts (nine saves) split time in goal for the winners.
Central Bucks East (6-3-5, 17) won its only game of the week to keep pace with the conference leaders. The Patriots captured a 6-1 victory over Pennridge (3-12-0) as Gary Palmer fueled the offense with four goals. Steven Gilcrest collected the win with 13 saves.
Pennridge (3-12-0, 6) lost a pair of conference games last week. The Rams opened the week with a 4-2 loss to Central Bucks West (8-1-5, 21) and closed the week with a 6-1 setback to Central Bucks East (6-3-5, 17). Aaron Crosson scored two goals and Mike Weaver had 31 saves in the loss to the Bucks, while Patrick McGinley scored a goal and Steven Wilms registered 39 saves in the loss to the Patriots.
Souderton (0-14-0, 0) remained in search of its first conference win as the Big Red lost their only game of the week. The Indians fell to North Penn (9-2-2, 20) by a 10-5 margin. Tyler Johnson scored two goals to spark the Souderton offense, while Justin Goshow, Gabe Evans, and Josh Reeves scored single goals. Dawson Anders collected 31 saves for the Big Red.
SHSHL Continental Conference Standings
1. Central Bucks South Titans 10 1 1 * 21
Central Bucks West Bucks 8 1 5 * 21
3. North Penn Knights 9 2 2 * 20
4. Central Bucks East Patriots 6 3 5 * 17
5. Pennridge Rams 3 12 0 * 6
6. Souderton Indians 0 14 0 * 0
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL Continental Conference
Wednesday (2/11/15)
North Penn vs. Central Bucks South @ Bucks County Ice – 6:30
Pennridge vs. Souderton @ Hatfield – 9:00
Thursday (2/12/15)
Central Bucks South vs. Central Bucks East @ Warwick – 7:00
SHSHL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Council Rock South (8-4-1, 17) is in a fierce battle for the SHSHL National Conference championship along with William Tennent (9-4-0, 18) and Pennsbury (8-5-0, 16). And Rock South has a huge contest this week when the Golden Hawks face Tennent on Thursday.
“William Tennent beat us the last time we played,” said Council Rock South head coach Joe Houk. “We might have gone into that game a little cocky, but we will come back from that. We had a good team meeting, and we are going to prepare hard for the rest of the season.
“Sometimes a loss like that can put things in perspective,” added Houk. “We are always going to have to learn how to deal with some adversity.
“We don’t really talk to the kids about league championships,” continued Houk. “But we just want to win games – and get the highest seed we can get in the Flyers Cup.”
Houk praised the recent play of Justin Adams and Chad Weiner.
“They both have been standouts recently - and we are going to have to have them step up the rest of the year,” said Houk. “Right now we are a healthy team, and we want to begin to play our hockey now.”
Council Rock South will close the regular season against Tennent, Neshaminy (5-9-0, 10) and Council Rock North (4-9-1, 9). William Tennent will close its season against CR South and Pennsbury (8-5-0) – twice.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL National Conference
William Tennent (9-4-0, 18) moved into first place in the conference standings last week. The Panthers won their only game of the week with a 4-3 victory over Council Rock North (4-9-1, 9). Alec Dugan scored two goals to spark the WT offense, while Andrew Bean and Dan Brady scored single goals. Eric Lineman was the winning goaltender with 17 saves.
Council Rock South (8-4-1, 17) was idle last week.
Pennsbury (8-5-0, 16) split a pair of conference games last week to remain in title contention. The Falcons opened the week with a 6-2 loss to Central Bucks South (10-1-1, 21) and closed the week with a 6-4 victory over Council Rock North. In the loss to the Titans, Anthony Bench and Jack Kelly were the single goal scorers – and Trevor Shadler registered 39 saves. In the win over the Indians, Kelly and Kevin Koerner each scored two goals and Shadler had 19 saves.
Neshaminy (5-9-0, 10) kept its playoff hopes alive with a 3-2 victory over Abington (5-9-1, 11). Ian Dixon, Anthony Sabatini, and Antonio Alicea scored solo goals for the Skins, while goaltender Matt Sheley was outstanding with 40 saves.
Abington (5-9-1, 11) dropped a key contest to Neshaminy last week – 3-2. The goal scorers for the Ghosts were Alex DeCristafano and Aiden Smith, while goalie Kyle Burke was excellent in net with 35 saves.
Council Rock North (4-9-1, 9) had a rough week as the Indians dropped a pair of games. Rock North opened the week with a 6-4 loss to Pennsbury (8-5-0, 16) and closed the week with a 4-3 loss to William Tennent (9-4-0, 18). In the loss to the Falcons, Daniel Guest, Dante Rienzi, Andrew Speeney, and Cavan Tully all scored single goals and net minder Andy Cicconi registered 36 saves. In the loss to the Panthers, Johnny Vanni led the Indians with two goals scored and Cicconi had 26 saves.
SHSHL National Conference Standings
1. William Tennent Panthers 9 4 0 * 18
2. Council Rock South Golden Hawks 8 4 1 * 17
3. Pennsbury Falcons 8 5 0 * 16
4. Abington Ghosts 5 9 1 * 11
5. Neshaminy Redskins 5 9 0 * 10
6. Council Rock North Indians 4 9 1 * 9
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL National Conference
Wednesday (2/11/15)
William Tennent vs. Pennsbury @ Grundy – 8:40
Thursday (2/12/15)
William Tennent vs. Council Rock South @ Bucks County Ice – 6:30
Council Rock North vs. Abington @ Wintersport – 7:20
SHSHL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-8-1, 15)is in a battle with Upper Dublin (5-10-1, 11) for the fourth and final playoff slot in the upcoming SHSHL playoffs.
Why?
The Colonials have two games on their schedule – first place Wissahickon (13-1-1, 27) and Upper Dublin. Upper Dublin plays last place Lower Moreland (1-10-4, 6) and Plymouth Whitemarsh. It appears that going into that final game – PW would most likely be (7-9-1, 15) and Upper Dublin would be (6-10-1, 13) – and an Upper Dublin win would give them fourth place by a tiebreaker.
“It might come down to that last game with Upper Dublin – and it would be the biggest game of the year,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Victor Novelli of the contest that is scheduled on February 20th. “We played well against Wissahickon the first time – and if we were to get into the playoffs we would face them in the first round.
“Our goal right now is to hold on to that fourth place in the standings and have a chance to compete in the playoffs,” added Novelli. “We have two practices before we get to play those final two games – and we should be prepared.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh has been scoring goals all season – and the Colonials have featured two scoring lines. The first line consists of Jonathan Isely, John Sciarrone, and leading scorer Christopher Zawislak. The second line showcases Chris Rinaldi, Skyler Goldstein, and Kevin Lawrence.
“Both of the top two lines have continued to improve,” said Novelli. “They have really come together and work well as a team.
“Jacob Magill has been great down the stretch,” continued Novelli of his senior goaltender. “When the game is on the line he always gives it everything he has to give.”
And the Colonials will need every bit of that effort.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL American Conference
Wissahickon (13-1-1, 27) was idle last week.
Truman (11-3-1, 23) kept is second place standing secure with a 13-9 victory over Upper Dublin (5-10-1,11). Zachary Bennett is back from injury as fueled the Tiger offense with 4 goals and 6 assists. Michael Roarty, Ross Koenig, and Codey Gordon each scored 2 goals for HST – goalie Kyle Huth stopped 17 shots.
Hatboro-Horsham (7-5-4, 18) kept its third place standing secure with an 11-5 victory over Upper Moreland (4-11-0, 8). Zach Aubry and Jacob Mueller each scored 3 goals for the Hatters, while Max Thalhelmer scored 2 goals for the winners.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-8-1, 15) kept its fourth place standing secure with a 7-0 victory over Lower Moreland (1-10-4, 6). Jonathan Isley and Kevin Lawrence fueled the Colonial offense with 2 goals each, while goalie Jacob Magill earned the shutout in net with a meager five saves.
Upper Moreland (4-11-0, 8) fell to rival Hatboro-Horsham (7-5-4, 18) by an 11-5 margin. Colin Burch and Matthew Fritz highlighted the Bear attack with 2 goals each.
Lower Moreland (1-10-4, 6) lost its only game of the week as the Lions were tamed by Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-8-1, 15) by a 7-0 margin. Lower Moreland goaltender Eric Sphar was spectacular with – are you kidding me – 64 saves.
SHSHL American Conference Standings
1. Wissahickon Trojans 13 1 1 * 27
2. Truman Tigers 11 3 1 * 23
3. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 7 5 4 * 18
4. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 7 8 1 * 15
5. Upper Dublin Cardinals 5 10 1 * 11
6. Upper Moreland Golden Bears 4 11 0 * 8
7. Lower Moreland Lions 1 10 4 * 6
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL American Conference
Thursday (2/13/15)
Upper Moreland vs. Truman @ Grundy – 7:20
Wissahickon vs. Hatboro-Horsham @ Bucks County Ice – 8:10
Upper Dublin vs. Lower Moreland @ Warwick – 8:45
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