Neshaminy, North Penn and Upper Moreland are featured, and last week’s SOL SHSHL games are recapped.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SHSHL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Neshaminy Redskins
Neshaminy (5-9-0, 10)plays two conference games this week – against second place Council Rock South (9-4-1, 19) on Wednesday and against third place Pennsbury (8-6-0, 16) on Thursday – and if the Redskins want the eighth and final position in the upcoming SHSHL playoffs, they need two points.
Neshaminy trails Abington (5-10-1, 11) in the playoff race – and the Ghosts regular season is over. Abington would hold the tiebreaker in any ties for the last playoff spot with either Neshaminy or Council Rock North (4-10-1, 9). Rock North has a single conference game with CR South.
“There is no question that the season is on the line,” said Neshaminy head coach Dan VanBuskirk. “To beat either CR South or Pennsbury is going to be a tough for us, but we match up a little better with Pennsbury. Both teams are very good, though.
“I am very proud of the way that we have played this year,” added VanBuskirk. “We gave it everything we had every game – and I think we did well with the talent that we had on this team.”
Neshaminy is going to have to count on the play of its seniors this final critical week of the Redskin season.
“Matt Sheley and Matt Lucas have played very well in goal recently – and they might just split the games we play this week,” said VanBuskirk. “Nick Foster has carried us offensively, and Chris Wojnar has been a smart-physical defenseman.
“Playing two of the better teams in the conference with the season on the line is tough – but we feel that we can play with both of them,” said VanBuskirk. “It would be great to end the season with one or two wins and get into the playoffs.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL National Conference
Council Rock South (9-4-1, 19) placed itself in serious contention for a conference title with a 3-2 victory over William Tennent (10-5-0, 20). Darren Barder scored a pair of goals for the Hawks in the key win, while Danny Richmond scored a single goal. Goaltender Mason Procz was solid in goal with 21 saves. If Rock South close out the season with wins over both Neshaminy (5-9-0, 10) and Council Rock North (4-10-1, 9) – the Golden Hawks would capture the conference title.
William Tennent (10-5-0, 20) took over as the points leader in the conference as the Panthers split a pair of games last week. Tennent opened the week with a 4-2 win over Pennsbury (8-6-0, 14) and closed the week with a 3-2 loss to Council Rock South (9-4-1, 19). In the win over the Falcons - Mike Padgeon, Alec Dugan, Sean Ovington, and Tim McMonagale each scored single goals – and goalie CJ Lineman registered 33 saves. In the loss to the Hawks – Padgeon and Ovington scored solo goals – and Lineman collected 27 saves.
Pennsbury (8-6-0, 16) settled into third place in the standings with a 4-2 loss to William Tennent (10-5-0, 10). Luke Ledes and Jack Kelly scored single goals for the Falcons while goal tender Trevor Schadler registered 18 saves.
Abington (5-10-1,11) kept a tentative grasp on the fourth and final playoff spot with an 8-5 victory over Council Rock North (4-10-1, 9). Alex DeChristafano scored three goals to fuel the Ghost offense, while Elliot Leporati scored a pair of goals for the winners. Justin Adamski, Ryan Woebel, and Thomas Carroll each scored single goals for Abington to round out the scoring. Kyle Burke was strong in net with 25 saves.
Council Rock North (4-10-1, 0) dropped a key game with an 8-5 loss to Abington (5-10-1, 11). Johnny Vanni scored two goals to pace the Indians, while Zach Herman, Andrew Speeney, and Cavan Tully each scored solo goals. Andy Cicconi captured 25 saves in net for Rock North.
Neshaminy (5-9-0, 10) was idle last week.
SHSHL National Conference Standings
1. William Tennent Panthers 10 5 0 * 20
2. Council Rock South Hawks 9 4 1 * 19
3. Pennsbury Falcons 8 6 0 * 16
4. Abington Ghosts 5 10 1 * 11
5. Neshaminy Redskins 5 9 0 * 10
6. Council Rock North Indians 4 10 1 * 9
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL National Conference
Wednesday (2/18/15)
Neshaminy vs. Council Rock South @ Bucks County Ice – 6:30
Pennsbury vs. William Tennent @ Bucks County Ice – 8:10
Thursday (2/19/15)
Council Rock North vs. Council Rock South @ Bucks County Ice – 6:30
Neshaminy vs. Pennsbury @ Grundy 7:20
SHSHL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
North Penn Knights
North Penn (9-3-2, 20)had its collective butt spanked by Central Bucks South (12-1-1-, 25) last week – and the 8-0 beating surely didn’t feel good to the talented Knights.
“The North Penn – CB South rivalry is a good one,” said North Penn head coach Kevin Vaitis. “They don’t like us – we don’t like them – and we were very disappointed in the way that we played.
“We get a chance this week to play them again – and I’m sure that we would like a little revenge,” added Vaitis. “It is a sour taste in our mouths – and we want to get rid of that taste as soon as possible.”
North Penn will play CB South on Friday – but also has a date with CB West on Wednesday.
“This is a great way for us to get ready for the playoffs,” said Vaitis. “To be able to play West and South in the same week is like playoff hockey.”
North Penn will count on its electric first line of junior Alex Peterson (26 goals, 22 assists, 48 points), sophomore Jake Heckenberger (19-26-45), and junior Derek Heckler (10-18-28) to fuel the offense.
“Alex, Jake, and Derek have carried us all year offensively,” said Vaitis. “But we are going to need production from our other lines come playoff time.
“Ryan Nowicki has been outstanding all season on defense,” added Vaitis of his senior captain. “And both John Roberts and Jake Snyder are two of the top five goalies in the league. We have big games this week – and I can rely on either one of them to play well.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL Continental Conference
Central Bucks South (12-1-1, 25) showed why the Titans are both the returning Flyers Cup and Class AAA champions with a pair of impressive wins last week. CB South opened the week with an 8-0 destruction of North Penn (9-3-2, 20) and closed the week with a 4-2 victory over district rival Central Bucks East (6-4-5, 17). In the win over the Knights – Damon Delaurentis scored two goals to pace the Titans, while Thomas Liberta, Connor Matsinger, Nick Ligato, Brendan Clements, Justin McGowan, and Anthony Lubas scored single goals. In the win over the Patriots, Leo Flick scored a pair of goals to fuel the offense – while Brian Uzelac and Tyler Dunn scored solo goals for the winners.
Pennridge (4-12-0, 8) closed out its season with an 8-3 victory over winless Souderton (0-15-0, 0). Luke Slater and Troy Crosson each scored a pair of goals to spark the Ram offense and goalie Steven Wilms earned the win and registered 19 saves.
Central Bucks East (6-4-5, 17) lost its only game of the week as the Patriots fell to first place Central Bucks South (12-1-1, 25) by a 4-2 score. Bryan McIntosh and Austin Chase were the goal scorers for CB East. Despite the loss – the Patriots have secured a fourth place finish in the conference and will appear in the SHSHL playoffs.
North Penn (9-3-2, 20) lost its only game of the week as the Knights fell to first place Central Bucks South (12-1-1, 25) by an 8-0 score. North Penn goalie Jake Snyder was terrific in net with 46 saves. Despite the loss, the Knights have secured a playoff spot and will take part in the SHSHL playoffs.
Souderton (0-15-0, 0) remained winless as the Indians were defeated by Pennridge (4-12-0, 8) by an 8-3 margin. Nick Mancaruso, Josh Reeves, and Austin Mower each scored solo goals for the Big Red in the loss. Souderton goaltender Brian Bingaman was outstanding in goal with 34 saves.
Central Bucks West (8-1-5, 21) was idle last week.
SHSHL Continental Conference Standings
1. Central Bucks South Titans 12 1 1 * 25
2. Central Bucks West Bucks 8 1 5 * 21
3. North Penn Knights 9 3 2 * 20
4. Central Bucks East Patriots 6 4 5 * 17
5. Pennridge Rams 4 12 0 * 8
6. Souderton Indians 0 15 0 * 0
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL Continental Conference
Wednesday (2/18/15)
North Penn vs. Central Bucks West @ Hatfield – 7:20
Souderton vs. Central Bucks East @ Warwick – 7:00
Thursday (2/19/15)
Central Bucks South vs. Central Bucks West @ Hatfield – 7:20
Friday(2/20/15)
Central Bucks South vs. North Penn @ Hatfield – 7:20
SHSHL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Upper Moreland (4-12-0, 8) will not make a trip to the SHSHL American Conference playoffs, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a very successful season.
“We might not have had the number of wins that we would have liked,” said Upper Moreland head coach Michael Angelo. “But the kids are having fun. We played most games with just 10 skaters and a goalie – if we could have had only two more decent skaters on the team, we would have had a better record.
“There was never any quit in this team – no matter what the score was in any of the games,” added Angelo. “We made comebacks in a lot of games that looked like they were out of hand.”
The cornerstone of the Golden Bear squad was senior goaltender Patrick Beissel. Throw out that faulty goals-against average – Beissel faced the most shots in the entire SHSHL American Conference (548) and had the second best save percentage (.829).
“Patrick was able to keep us in games we had no right to be in,” said Angelo. “His focus was amazing – and time after time, he just continued to stop the puck.
“And the Park twins were terrific,” added Angelo of seniors Nick and Jake Park. “Nick was our leading scorer (23 goals, 26 assists, 49 points – fifth leading scorer in the conference), and Jake was our best defenseman.
“We close the season with Lower Moreland (1-11-4, 6) and Truman (12-3-1, 25),” continued Angelo. “If would be nice to win a game or two to carry that positive feeling into next season.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL American Conference
Wissahickon (14-1-1, 29) kept a firm grasp on first place in the conference with a 9-4 victory over Hatboro-Horsham (7-6-4, 18). Dylan Alioto and Jake Flancer each scored 3 goals to fuel the Trojan offense, while Kyle Wolf, Andew Cade, and Brandon Rosoff each scored single goals for the winners. Jake Modelevsky earned the win in goal with 13 saves.
Truman (12-3-1, 25) kept a firm grasp on second place in the conference with a 10-5 victory over Upper Moreland (4-12-0, 8). Michael Cox, Michael Roarty, Kyle Bennett, and Christian Morlando each scored two goals for the Tigers – while Shane Donahue and Dillon Kehoe each scored single goals. Kyle Huth captured 15 saves.
Hatboro-Horsham (7-6-4, 18) kept a firm grasp on third place in the standings despite a 9-4 loss to first place Wissahickon (14-1-1, 29). Jacob Mueller had two goals to pace the Hatters, while Zach Aubry and Nathan Reilly each scored solo goals. Ryan McElroy was excellent in goal with 35 saves.
Upper Moreland (4-12-0, 8) lost its only conference game of the week. The Golden Bears fell to second place Truman (12-3-1, 25) by a 10-5 margin. Nick Park scored a pair of goals to pace Upper Moreland – while Ryan MacFarland, Mykel Courduff, and Colin Burch each scored single goals. Patrick Beissel was terrific in net with 30 saves.
Lower Moreland (1-11-4, 6) lost its only conference game of the week. The Lions fell to Upper Dublin (6-10-1, 13) by a 7-0 score. Lower Moreland goaltender Eric Sphar was once again spectacular in goal with 44 saves.
SHSHL American Conference Standings
1. Wissahickon Trojans 14 1 1 * 29
2. Truman Tigers 12 3 1 * 25
3. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 7 6 4 * 18
4. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 7 8 1 * 15
5. Upper Dublin Cardinals 6 10 1 * 13
6. Upper Moreland Bears 4 12 0 * 8
7. Lower Moreland Lions 1 11 4 * 6
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL American Conference
Wednesday (2/18/15)
Truman Tigers vs. Hatboro-Horsham @ Wintersport – 8:20
Thursday (2/19/15)
Lower Moreland Lions vs. Upper Moreland Bears @ Wintersport – 7:20
Wissahickon Trojans vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Warwick – 8:45
Friday (2/20/15)
Lower Moreland vs. Wissahickon @ Warwick – 7:00
Truman vs. Upper Moreland @ Warwick – 8:45
Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. Upper Dublin @ Bucks County Ice – 8:55
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