This week’s notebook highlights Pennsbury, CB West and William Tennent.
By Scott Huff
The final week of the regular Suburban High School Hockey League season is finally here – and the SHSHL ‘AA’ playoffs have five of the eight playoff slots determined.
The ‘AA’ teams come from the SHSHL Continental and National Conferences. The top three teams from both conferences are guaranteed slots in the playoffs – and the final two slots come from the remaining teams with the highest point totals.
In the Continental Conference, Central Bucks South (12 wins, 2 losses, 1 tie - 25 points), Central Bucks East (12-2-0, 24), North Penn (10-3-1, 21), and Souderton (9-3-2, 20) will all make postseason SHSHL appearances. In the National Conference, Council Rock South (9-4-2, 20) is the lone team that is guaranteed to earn an SHSHL postseason invitation.
The final three slots will come from a foursome of teams that include a trio from the National Conference – Neshaminy (5-7-2, 12), Council Rock North (5-8-2, 12), and Pennsbury (5-8-2, 12) – and Central Bucks West (4-8-2, 10) from the Continental Conference.
There are varied permutations among the four teams that will determine the final outcome – but the one given is that the entire math will be calculated at the end of this week – and three of those four teams will make the SHSHL ‘AA’ playoffs.
Check out respective schedules below for key games with playoff implications.
The ‘A’ teams come from the SHSHL American Conference – and all six teams qualify for the SHSHL playoffs. The ‘spin’ on this grouping is unique in that there will be a public school champion – a private school champion – and an overall champion.
The public school title will be contested by Upper Moreland (8-1-1, 17) who will meet Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-9-0, 2) in a first round game. The winner of that game will play the winner of the Wissahickon (7-4-0, 14) – William Tennent (4-5-1, 9) game for the public league title.
The winner of the public league championship will meet the winner of the Archbishop Wood-Lansdale Catholic for the SHSHL overall title. Wood and LC are the lone teams in the private school category.
And the beat goes on…
SHSHL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Pennsbury Falcons
Pennsbury is one of four teams that are in a struggle for the final three SHSHL ‘AA’ playoff slots, and the game with rival Neshaminy on Friday could decide whether the Falcons move on to the playoffs.
“We lost to them 6-1 early in the season, but we were a team without an identity back then,” said Pennsbury head coach John Bria. “I think we found our identity when we were able to tie Council Rock South last week.”
Pennsbury was tied with Rock South 2-2 late in the game, and the first place Hawks took a 3-2 lead with just 13 seconds left in the game. The Falcons, though, refused to quit and Eric Michael scored a goal with just 2 seconds left in the game to forge the tie.
“This team gained a lot of character after that game,” said Bria. “We are beginning to play the game with a chip on our shoulder – and that is a good thing.
“The season is winding down to the end, and with an important game ahead of us the players are excited,” continued Bria. “We have to remain focused, and continue to try and get better.”
Bria cited the play of Linder Kenyon and Kevin Koerner - along with goaltender Trevor Schandler – as a huge part of the recent success.
“Both Linder and Kevin have been putting the puck in the net,” said Bria. “And Trevor has been terrific. We will go as far as he can carry us.”
And a win over Neshaminy on Friday could carry the Falcons to the SHSHL playoffs.
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL National Conference
Wednesday (2/19/14)
Abington vs. Central Bucks East @ Warwick – 8:45 pm
Thursday (2/20/14)
Abington vs. Neshaminy @ Grundy – 7:20 pm
Friday (2/21/14)
Abington vs. North Penn @ Bucks County Ice – 5:30 pm
Pennsbury vs. Neshaminy @ Grundy – 5:45 pm
Truman vs. Central Bucks East @ Warwick – 7 pm
Council Rock South vs. Council Rock North @ Warwick – 8:45 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 5 8 2 12
Truman Tigers 3 10 2 8
Abington Ghosts 2 11 0 4
SHSHL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks West Bucks
Central Bucks West is one of four teams that are in a battle for the three remaining SHSHL ‘AA’ playoff slots. Wins over both Pennridge and Souderton next week would most likely punch the playoff ticket for the young Bucks.
“Our playoff season has already started,” said Central Bucks West head coach Dave Baun. “Depending on what happens in the other games, we might not have to win both games. But our goal is to win them both and not worry about anything.
“This team has been the doormat of the league for the last few years,” added Baun. “But we have turned that all around with a very young team, and we have shown that we can compete with the best teams in the area.”
CB West has both youth and talent on the defensive end of the ice. The Bucks have a talented freshman goaltending tandem of Jonah Brous and Kenny Doak, and a pair of excellent defensemen in sophomore Ryan Trefz and freshman Shawn Phillips.
“Both Jonah and Kenny have very different styles, but both get the job done,” said Baun. “And I really believe that Shawn and Ryan are the best pair of defensemen in the entire league.”
The offensive load for CB West has been handled by senior Danny Wilson, junior Patrick Smith, and freshman Scotty Cappuccio.
“We are very young, but I like where we are right now,” said Baun. “We have been inconsistent, but sometimes our young players actually shock the coaches with how good they are.”
And don’t be too shocked if Central Bucks West gets into the SHSHL playoffs.
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL Continental Conference
Wednesday (2/19/14)
Central Bucks West vs. Pennridge @ Hatfield – 7:20 pm
Abington vs. Central Bucks East @ Warwick – 8:45 pm
Thursday (2/20/14)
Souderton vs. Pennridge @ Bucks County Ice – 7 pm
Central Bucks South vs. North Penn @ Hatfield – 7:20 pm
Friday (2/21/14)
North Penn vs. Abington @ Bucks County Ice – 5:30 pm
Truman vs. Central Bucks East @ Warwick – 7 pm
Souderton vs. Central Bucks West @ Hatfield – 9 pm
SHSHL Continental Conference Standings
Central Bucks South Titans 12 2 1 25
Central Bucks East Patriots 12 2 0 24
North Penn Knights 10 3 1 21
Souderton Indians 9 3 2 20
Central Bucks West Bucks 4 8 2 10
Pennridge Rams 2 12 0 4
SHSHL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
William Tennent Panthers
William Tennent has no concerns about its entry into the SHSHL ‘A’ playoffs, but the third place Panthers are out to prove that the Black Cats are contenders for the title.
“Don’t get me wrong, both Upper Moreland and Wissahickon are two great teams,” said William Tennent head coach Nick D’Aurizio. “But we feel we are right there with them. Whatever team shows up on a given night is going to win.
“There are a few teams that could win the championship, and our players and coaches feel that we can win,” added D’Aurizio. “We will finish regular season this Friday (versus Plymouth Whitemarsh), and we hope we have a lot of hockey to play the following week.”
William Tennent is scheduled to play Wissahickon next Tuesday. A win there would advance the Panthers to the ‘public school’ title game with the winner of the Upper Moreland-Plymouth Whitemarsh game on Wednesday. A ‘public school’ championship would advance the Black Cats to a SHSHL ‘A’ title game against the winner of the Archbishop Wood-Lansdale Catholic game on Thursday.
“That would be three games in three days – and that is an awful lot of ice hockey,” said D’Aurizio. “But this is a team that is looking for championships, and we hope that we get to play all three games. “
William Tennent has a blend of seniors and freshmen that have contributed to the success of the team this season.
The list of seniors include Brent Bagdon, PJ Partington, Jeff Mitchell, Matt Melnikas, and Danny Gatto. The list of freshmen include Mike Padgeon, Chris Kreider, Michael Carrelli, Sean Ovington, Mike Bagdon, and Danny Anzideo.
“Alec Dugan and Andrew Bean are both sophomores that have been our offensive leaders this year, and Charlie Feeney is also a sophomore that has been a rock on defense,” said D’Aurizio. “And CJ Lineman and Zach Dorsey are both juniors who have had strong seasons in goal for us.
“We just got Brent Bagdon back from injury, and he looks good,” added D’Aurizio. “It is nice going into this challenging part of the season close to full strength.”
And Willam Tennent might be strong enough to win a title – or two.
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL American Conference
Thursday (2/20/14)
Lansdale Catholic vs. Upper Moreland @ Wintersport – 7:20 pm
Friday (2/21/14)
William Tennent vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh @ Bucks County Ice – 7:15 pm
SHSHL American Conference Standings
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 8 1 1 17
Wissahickon Trojans 7 4 0 14
William Tennent Panthers 4 5 1 9
Archbishiop Wood Vikings 3 2 0 6
Lansdale Catholic Crusaders 1 3 0 2
Plymouth Whitmarsh Colonials 1 9 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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