This week’s notebook highlights North Penn, Truman and Upper Moreland recaps last week’s SHSHL conference games.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SHSHL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
North Penn Knights
North Penn is more than ready for the postseason.
“The schedule for us in second half of the season has been very strong – and that is a good thing,” said North Penn head coach Kevin Vaitis. “We just played Central Bucks South and came up with a nice win, and we have Central Bucks South this week. We are getting ready for the (SHSHL) playoffs, and then the Flyers Cup.
“We want to be playing our best at this time of year,” added Vaitis. “And we have had players playing at that level right now.”
Senior captain Matthew Stella might be the shiniest star on the Knight roster.
“Matt has taken on a great leadership role both on and off the ice,” said Vaitis. “He plays on the same line with Jake Heckenberger and Alex Peterson, and they have been great.
“Jake is only a freshman and is new to the program, and Alex is only a sophomore,” added Vaitis. “For them to play on the same line with Matt has given them great experience this year.”
North Penn has a pair of excellent goaltenders in sophomore Jake Snyder and freshman John Roberts.
“The situation with Jake and Johnny has been great,” said Vaitis. “They push each other hard in practice, but they are very supportive of each other when the games start. Both are great team players.”
North Penn is primed and ready for the postseason.
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL Continental Conference
Central Bucks East collected a trio of key victories last week. The Patriots opened the week with a 7-2 win over Pennridge – defeated Central Bucks West 7-2 - and closed the week with a 5-2 win over Souderton. In the win over the Rams, Zach Davis scored a pair of goals to lead CBE, while Joe Ridolfi, Sean Parahus, Nick Chimera, John Hughes, and Jake Davis all scored single goals. In the victory over the Bucks, Shaun Biley scored a pair of goals, while Alex Wasserman, Parahus, Ridolfi, Zach Davis, and Austin Chase scored once. In the win over the Indians, Andrew Biley, Shaun Biley, Chimera, Parahus, and Chase all scored solo goals, while Evan Angotti collected 24 saves.
North Penn captured a key victory as the Knights defeated Council Rock South 5-2. Derek Heckler scored a pair of goals to lead the scoring, while Jeremy Snyder, Ryan Nowicki, and Matthew Stella each scored single goals. Jake Snyder was terrific in goal with 29 saves.
Central Bucks West spilt a pair of conference games last week. The Bucks captured a 7-0 victory over Council Rock North as goalie Kenny Doak was outstanding and collected 35 saves. The goal scorers for West were Patrick Smith (2 goals), Scotty Cappacio (2), Ryan Trefz, Danny Wilson, and John McCreadie. In loss to CB East, goaltender Jonah Brous had 54 – yes 54 – saves. Wilson and McCreadie scored solo goals for CBW.
Souderton lost its only conference game when the Indians fell to Central Bucks East 5-2. Daniel Rock and Clay Anders were the goal scorers for Souderton, and goalie Dawson Anders collected 20 saves.
Pennridge lost its only conference game when the Rams fell to Central Bucks East 7-2. Nathan Runk and Aaron Crosson were the goal scorers for Pennridge, while goalie Steven Wilms had 21 saves and net minder Michael Weaver had 13 saves.
‘On Ice’ this week in the SHSHL Continental Conference
Thursday (2/13/14)
Abington vs. Central Bucks East @ Warwick – 7 pm
Central Bucks South vs. North Penn @ Hatfield – 7:20 pm
Souderton vs. Pennridge @ Hatfield – 9 pm
SHSHL Continental Conference Standings
Central Bucks East Patriots 12 2 0 24
Central Bucks South Titans 11 2 1 23
North Penn Knights 10 3 1 21
Souderton Indians 9 3 2 20
Central Bucks West Bucks 4 8 2 10
Pennridge Rams 3 11 0 6
SHSHL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Truman Tigers
Truman may only have three conference wins, but the Tigers are just two games out of second place in the SHSHL National Conference.
“We keep knocking on the door,” said Truman head coach Bill Keyser. “We knew we could compete with teams like Pennsbury and Neshaminy, and we still have some big games left in the season.”
Keyser is thankful for goaltender Christian Morando.
“We would not have been able to have a team last year or this year if Christian wasn’t willing to play goal,” said Keyser. “The players on this team appreciate the sacrifice he has made, and he has been solid in goal.”
Truman is a program unlike most in the SHSHL.
“A lot of the players from the area we draw from can’t really afford to play both travel hockey and high school hockey,” said Keyser. “To play high school hockey is around $1500 and travel is about $3000. That is a lot of money for the kids.
“If we are able to get an invitation to the Flyers Cup it would be the first time a Truman team made it that far,” said Keyser. “It would be a great way to end the season.”
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL National Conference
Council Rock Southkept its firm grasp on first place in the conference standings despite a 5-2 loss to North Penn. Matt Gulack and Eric Hughes were the goal scorers for the Golden Hawks, while goalie Zachary Magro came up with 24 saves.
Council Rock North lost its only conference game of the week as the Indians were routed by Central Bucks West 7-0. Kyle McQuillan manned the nets for Rock North and collected 31 saves in the loss.
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL National Conference
Thursday (1/13/14)
Abington vs. Central Bucks East @ Warwick – 7 pm
Pennsbury vs. Neshaminy @ Grundy – 7:20 pm
Council Rock South vs. Council Rock North @ Grundy – 9 pm
SHSHL National Conference Standings
Council Rock South Golden Hawks 9 4 2 20
Neshaminy Redskins 5 7 2 12
Council Rock North Indians 5 8 2 12
Pennsbury Falcons 4 8 2 10
Truman Tigers 3 9 2 8
Abington Ghosts 2 11 0 4
SHSHL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Upper Moreland preps for its first place showdown with Wissahickon Wednesday (1/13/14)
“Sure Wissahickon is a big game, but I tell the players that all the games are big games,” said Upper Moreland head coach Mike Angelo. “We beat them 9-5 the first time, and they beat us 12-2 the second time. In that second game, we had four of our better players not play in the game.”
That foursome included Andrew Iehle, Matt Iehle, Sean Lloyd, and Justin Holmes. That group should all be on the ice tomorrow.
“Matt Iehle has had a tremendous season for us,” said Angelo. “He plays the game with so much emotion and so much intensity. He is clutch – and everything is always about the team – not him.
“We have played very well defensively, and our goaltending has been solid,” added Angelo. “Right now, it is all about getting the team ready for the playoffs and the Flyers Cup. A conference championship would be great, but it is really all about the postseason.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL American Conference
Wissahickon remained in the top spot in the conference standings with a 10-7 victory over William Tennent in the lone conference contest last week. Luke Honorowski scored 3 goals, while Matt Verviied (2), Dustin Rabinowitz (2), Kevin Schaeffer, and Brandon Rosoff also scored for the winning Trojans. Noah Kratz collected 28 saves for Wissahickon. William Tennent received 2-goal efforts from both PJ Partington and Alec Dugan, and received solo goal scoring from Andrew Bean, Charlie Feeney, and Gary Bunje. Zachary Dorsey captured 29 saves for the Panthers.
‘On Ice’ this week in the SHSHL American Conference
Wednesday (2/12/14)
Wissahickon vs. Upper Moreland @ Bucks County Ice – 7 pm
Thursday (2/13/14)
William Tennent Panthers vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Bucks County Ice – 7 pm
Thursday (2/14/14)
Archbishop Wood Vikings vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Bucks County Ice – 7 pm
SHSHL American Conference Standings
Wissahickon Trojans 7 3 0 14
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 6 2 1 13
William Tennent Panthers 4 5 1 9
Archbishop Wood Vikings 2 2 0 4
Lansdale Catholic Crusaders 1 3 0 2
Plymouth Whitemarsh 1 7 0 2
SUBURBAN ONE SPORTS.COM
‘FAB FIVE’
1. Central Bucks East Patriots
2. Central Bucks South Titans
3. North Penn Knights
4. Souderton Indians
5. Council Rock South Golden Hawks
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