Abington, Pennridge & Wissahickon are featured in this week’s notebook which also recaps last week’s SOL SHSHL action.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SHSHL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Abington Ghosts
Abington (4-9-1 * 9)is in the middle of a SHSHL playoff scrum for the eighth and final playoff spot. The Ghosts are in a mathematical battle with Council Rock North (4-7-1 * 9), Neshaminy (4-9-0 * 8), and Pennridge (3-10-0 * 6) for that coveted eighth seed in the postseason.
“We are in a position where we can actually focus on getting into the playoffs,” said Abington head coach Pat Croce. “We won a big game last week against Neshaminy (5-3) and we have a big game against them again this week.
“We have to continue to be consistent on defense and attack the net on offense,” added Croce. “If we continue to play sound and disciplined hockey, we have a chance to make the playoffs.”
Croce pointed to a wild 6-6 tie recently against Central Bucks West (7-1-5 * 19) as a huge turning point for his Ghosts.
“Central Bucks West is an excellent team – and we played that game with six skaters and no goalie,” said Croce. “We have three goaltenders – but Kyle Burke had the flu – Evan Metz had a concussion – and Thomas Meehan couldn’t play in goal with an injured MCL.
“But the kids played a great team game flying all over the ice,” added Croce. “That tie against West did a great deal for this team in building our confidence and learning how to face adversity.”
Croce mentioned Alex DeCristafano, Justin Adamski, Tommy Carroll, Elliot Leporati, Meehan, and Burke as players that have all played well recently.
“This team has some good karma right now,” said Croce. “We’ll see what happens the rest of the year.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL National Conference
Abington (4-9-1) remained in contention for the final playoff slot with a 5-3 victory over Neshaminy (4-9-0). Elliot Leporati scored three goals to pace the Ghost offense while Thomas Meehan was solid in goal with 16 saves.
William Tennent (8-4-0) split its pair of conference games last week as the Panthers were defeated by 3-2 by Central Bucks West (7-1-5) and followed with a 5-3 victory over Council Rock South (8-4-1). In the loss to CB West, Mike Padgeon and Alec Dugan each scored goal for Tennent while goaltender CJ Lineman registered 38 saves. In the win over the Golden Hawks - Charlie Feeney, Padgeon, Dugan, Brendan Sherwood, and Sean Ovington scored single goals while Lineman registered 38 saves.
Pennsbury (7-4-0) lost its only game of the year as the Falcons were upset by Pennridge (3-10-0) by a 5-4 margin. Tommy Hynes scored a pair of goals to highlight the offense while Trevor Shadler recorded 22 saves.
Council Rock South (8-4-1) remained in first place in the conference standings despite a 5-3 loss to William Tennent (8-4-0). The Hawks received solo goal outings from Darren Barder, Justin Adams, and Karl Martin. Mason Procz had 17 saves for Rock South.
Neshaminy (4-9-0) dropped a key conference game as the Redskins fell to Abington (4-9-1) by a 5-3 score. Anthony Bickle, Aric Miller and Mike Maher were the goal scorers for the Skins while Matt Sheley had 19 saves.
SHSHL National Conference Standings
1. Council Rock South Golden Hawks8 4 1 * 17
2. William Tennent Panthers 8 4 0 * 16
3. Pennsbury Falcons 7 4 0 * 14
4. Council Rock North Indians 4 7 1 * 9
Abington Ghosts 4 9 1 * 9
6. Neshaminy Redskins 4 9 0 * 8
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL National Conference
Wednesday (2/4/15)
Pennsbury vs. Central Bucks South @ Bucks County Ice – 6:30
Thursday (2/5/15)
Council Rock North vs. Pennsbury @ Grundy – 7:20
Neshaminy vs. Abington @ Wintersport – 7:20
Friday (2/6/15)
William Tennent vs. Council Rock North @ Warwick – 7:00
SHSHL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Pennridge Rams
Pennridge (3-10-0 * 6) head coach Wade Witzaney knows that the numbers most likely won’t add up right for his Rams to make the playoffs.
“We know getting into the playoffs probably won’t happen, but we want to finish the season strong,” said Witzaney. “Right now we just want to continue to show progress and play solid hockey.”
Pennridge did just that in its stunning 5-4 victory last week over playoff-bound Pennsbury (7-4-0 * 14). The win stopped a five-game Ram losing streak that covered 48 calendar days.
“That was a great win for the guys,” said Witzaney. “We had to come back against a good team – and we got three power play goals.
“We have had leads in games but have not been able to hold onto them,” added Witzaney. “We have been competitive in games – but we need to get some wins.”
Pennridge showcases one of the finest players in the SHSHL league in senior Aaron Crosson.
“Aaron has a slap shot that gives a goalie a whole lot of trouble,” said Witzaney. “He plays on a line with his brother (sophomore) Troy and (sophomore) Josh Finlayson. They have been a very good line for us all season.
“We have a couple of freshman in Patrick McGinley and Dylan Lowry who have really played well,” added Witzaney. “And Steve Wilms played a great third period against Pennsbury and closed the deal.”
Pennridge may not have made the playoffs this year – but with a core of returning players, the Rams may cross that playoff threshold next season.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL Continental Conference
Central Bucks South (9-1-1) remained in a first place tie at the top of the standings with a 10-0 win over Souderton (0-13-0). Tyler Dunn sparked the Titans with a three-goal performance while seven other players were single goal scorers. Aaron King was rarely tested in the shutout win and recorded just six saves.
Central Bucks West (7-1-5) collected a huge win as the Bucks defeated William Tennent (7-4) by a 3-2 score. CB West had single goal scorers in Shawn Phillips, Eddie Shields and Scotty Cappuccio. Jonah Brous was terrific in net with 31 saves.
North Penn (8-2-2) battled to a 0-0 stalemate against Central Bucks East (5-3-5) last week in its only conference games. Knight goaltender Jake Snyder was magnificent in net with 43 saves.
Pennridge (3-10-0) won its only league game of the week as the Rams posted a 5-4 victory over Pennsbury (7-4-0). Aaron Crossman scored three goals and added an assist while Steven Wilms collected 31 saves in goal.
Central Bucks East (5-3-5) fought to a 0-0 tie against North Penn (8-2-2) in its only conference games of the week. Patriot goaltender Evan Angotti was clutch in goal with 19 saves and earned the shutout.
Souderton (0-13-0) remained in search of its first league win of the season. The Big Red fell to Central Bucks South by a 10-0 score as Indian goaltender Joshua Smith played a great game with 37 saves.
SHSHL Continental Conference Standings
1. Central Bucks South Titans 9 1 1 * 19
Central Bucks West Bucks 7 1 5 * 19
3. North Penn Knights 8 2 2 * 18
4. Central Bucks East Patriots 5 3 5 * 15
5. Pennridge Rams 3 10 0 * 6
6. Souderton Indians 0 13 0 * 0
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL Continental Conference
Wednesday (2/4/15)
Pennsbury vs. Central Bucks South @ Bucks County Ice – 6:30
Pennridge vs. Central Bucks West @ Hatfield – 7:20
Thursday (2/5/15)
Pennridge vs. Central Bucks East @ Warwick – 7:00
Souderton vs. North Penn @ Hatfield – 7:20
SHSHL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Wissahickon Trojans
Wissahickon head coach Mike Wolf felt going into the season that his team would be very good. And his Trojans surely didn’t disappoint with a glittering 13-1-1 SHSHL American Conference record.
The only blemishes on the Wissahickon record this season came in a 7-4 loss to Truman back on November 14and a 5-5 tie with Hatboro-Horsham on December 10.
“We have been playing very well, and we have been doing it as a team,” said Wolf. “We have gained momentum as the season has gone on, and we have been able to develop a lot of depth along the way.
“Last year we had to shorten our bench to compete against some of the better teams,” added Wolf. “But this year we have been able to get the entire roster into games. And that is a good thing.”
Wissahickon boasts some of the most prolific players in the league in seniors Jacob Segelbaum and Dylan Alioto along with junior Brandon Rosoff – but also showcases some underclass talent in freshman Nolan Piatkowski, junior Kyle Wolf, sophomore Kevin Schaeffer, junior Ed Burkhart, and sophomore Matt Wilson.
“We have two seniors – Harry Hessler and Alex Lightman – who have hung with the program through some tough times,” said Wolf. “It has been great to see them get some playing time and be successful.
“We also have two goalies in (junior) Noah Katz and (freshman) Jake Modelvsky that have done a good job,” added Wolf. “Both have gotten a good deal of experience.
“We had a great season last year and got to the Flyers Cup,” continued Wolf. “We lost in the first round of the Flyers Cup to West Chester East – and our goal is to win a game or two in the Flyers Cup.”
Stay tuned
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL American Conference
Wissahickon (13-1-1) remained in first place in the conference with a pair of wins last week. The Trojans opened the week with a 10-7 victory over Upper Moreland and closed the week with an 11-1 win over Lower Moreland (1-8-4). In the win over the Bears, Brandon Rosoff scored four goals to pace the winners and Dylan Alioto added a pair of goals. In the win over the Lions, Alioto paced the offense with a four-goal performance.
Truman (10-3-1) kept a firm hold on second place with a 5-2 victory over Plymouth Whitemarsh. The Tigers were sparked offensively by a terrific four-goal performance by Michael Roarty. Goalie Kyle Huth had 14 saves.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (6-8-1) moved into playoff contention with a split of games last week. The Colonials opened the week with a 5-2 loss to Truman (10-3-1) and closed the week with a 10-1 victory over Upper Moreland (4-10-0). In the loss to the Tigers, Nate Slowik and Bo Flint scored goals for PW while Jacob Magill had 23 saves. In the win over the Golden Bears, John Sciarrone fueled the offense with a four-goal performance – Chris Rinaldi scored two goals – Kevin Lawrence had a goal and three assists – and Magill collected 18 saves.
Hatboro-Horsham (6-5-4) dropped its only game of the week with a 9-6 loss to Upper Dublin (5-9-1). Ryan Sharp scored a pair of goals to lead the offense, while goalie Ryan McElroy was terrific in net with 33 saves.
Lower Moreland (1-9-4) lost its only conference game of the week as the Lions were handed an 11-1 loss to Wissahickon (13-1-1). Matthew Blau scored the only goal of the game for Lower Moreland – and Eric Sphar was solid in goal with 36 saves.
Upper Moreland (4-10-0) had a difficult week as the Bears lost a pair of conference games. Upper Moreland opened the week losing a 10-7 shootout against Wissahickon (13-1-1) and closed the week with a 10-1 loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh (6-8-1). In the loss to the Trojans, Nick Park had four goals – Ryan MacFarland had two goals – and goalie Patrick Beissel was spectacular with 59 saves. In the loss to the Colonials, Colin Burch scored the lone goal for the Bears while Beissel captured 25 saves.
SHSHL American Conference Standings
1. Wissahickon Trojans 13 1 1 * 27
2. Truman Tigers 10 3 1 * 21
3. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 6 5 4 * 16
4. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 6 8 1 * 13
5. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 5 9 1 * 11
6. Upper Moreland Golden Bears 4 10 0 * 8
7. Lower Moreland Lions 1 9 4 * 6
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL American Conference
Thursday (2/5/15)
Hatboro-Horsham vs. Upper Moreland @ Bucks County Ice – 6:30
Truman vs. Upper Dublin @ Warwick – 8:45
Friday (2/6/15)
Lower Moreland vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh @ Bucks County Ice – 7:15
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