By Scott Huff
There are two premier teams in the 2010-2011 Suburban High School Hockey League this season – Council Rock South (National Conference)and Central Bucks East (Continental Conference).
That should make the season both very competitive and exciting for the remainder of the teams in the SHSHL. And by playoff time, there will surely be teams to contend with both CR South and CB East for championships.
The lengthy SHSHL season began on October 6, 2010 and concludes on February 18, 2011.
Here is what you might have missed …
SHSHL Continental Conference
Central Bucks East (5-2-0, 10) has opened the season strong and has one point lead in the standings.
“We have very high expectations this season,” said veteran CB East head coach Ken Latchum. “We should be able to go very deep in both the (SHSHL) playoffs and the Flyers Cup playoffs.
“I have some excellent kids that love the game,” added Latchum. “We have 12 seniors and their experience should be able to carry us far. Tyler Mcintosh, John Esposito, and Austin Cinalli all provide great leadership as captains.”
Cinalli is currently the second leading scorer in the conference with 12 points. He has scored nine goals to lead the team, while Esposito has scored six goals thus far.
“Austin is a great all-around player, not just an offensive player,” said Latchum of his senior. “And John leads that first line for us.
“I have three very good lines, and I don’t have to hesitate to use any of them at any time,” added Latchum. “I just roll them out one line at a time.”
The Patriots have been anchored by senior goal tender Justin Golia.
“(William Tennent goalie, Eric) Horrox is the best goaltender in the league,” said Latchum. “But I would have to say that Justin is right behind him.”
Central Bucks South (4-3-1, 9) is currently a point behind CB East for first place in the conference.
Dennis Ruff has been strong in goal for the Titans, while Tom Dougherty (11 points) and Nick Delaurentis (9 points) lead CBS in scoring.
North Penn (3-2-2, 8) has proven to be a contender in the conference and is in third place.
The Knights boast the top scorer in the conference in Jim Mckelvie who has scored 10 goals and has 20 points. Cody Matthews and Jake Wolff have spilt time in the nets for NP.
Pennridge (3-4-0, 6) hovers around the .500 mark and should continue to improve.
The Rams have featured a balanced scoring attack with Matt Brown (12), Justin Roberts (10), and Joseph Root (10) all in double figures in scoring. Dustin Wexler has been solid in goal.
Souderton (2-5-0, 4) has had its share of problem scoring goals in the early going.
The Indians feature Peter Clarke in goal. The leading scorers for the Big Red thus far this season have been Travis McKay and Dylan Manko with five points each.
Central Bucks West (1-7-0, 2) has struggled winning games early in the season.
The Bucks have featured a balanced scoring attack with Austin Siemion (10), Johnny Taylor (9), and Nick Moffet (7) all contributing. Alex Ingrassia has emerged as the No. 1 goalie for CBW.
SHSHL National Conference
Council Rock North (1-3-2, 4) lost 13 of its top 16 players to graduation, and the Indians are going to have to go through some growing pains this season.
“We are in a very tough spot, but we knew that coming into the season,” said CR North head coach Eric Tye. “We are getting better as we gain more experience. The games that we are losing by a goal now should be games that we win by a goal later in the season.
“Sometimes you have to learn how to lose, and you come to appreciate the wins,” added Tye. “Mark McDonald and Tim Kroh only lost four games all of last season, and we’re already close to that now.”
The CR North goaltender for the last four seasons was the finest in the area - Jessie Goldberg. Goldberg has graduated, and Tye is looking hard for a replacement.
Right now, the Indians are auditioning sophomore Hayden Richards and junior Michael Lieninger.
“Both of them work very hard and have strengths and weaknesses, just like most goalies,” said Tye. “I told them the other day that I would like to see one of them step up and take the job. That still hasn’t really happened.”
The CR North offense really hasn’t happened yet either. The leading scorer for the Indians is Mike Shander with a modest nine points so far this season. Bobby Dumont is the team’s second leading scorer with eight points.
“We should be able to score more goals than we far so far,” said Tye. “This is a team that has to grow. We might struggle some this year, but it will all be worth it down the road.”
Council Rock South (7-0-0, 14) is no surprise the class of both the National Conference and the entire SHSHL.
Pat Grilli has gotten off to a spectacular start with 16 goals and 32 points. Steve Junod has scored 10 goals and 16 points, while Nick Keck has found the back of the net seven times and has 16 points. Steve Jastrow has been outstanding in goal.
William Tennent (4-4-0, 8) has battled to a .500 mark with the best goaltender in the area – Eric Horrocks – on its roster.
The Panthers have three players in double digit scoring led by AJ Carbone with 15 points. Cameron Goodell has scored 13 points, while DJ Mulher has added 10 points.
Neshaminy (2-2-2, 6) has also met the .500 mark and has alternated goaltenders Collin Mazer and Tyler Edwards.
The Redskins have been led in scoring by DJ Bell who has scored 15 goals and has 28 overall points. Jordan Ducko has 12 assists and 17 points.
Pennsbury (2-2-1, 5) has also met the .500 mark behind the goaltending of Kevin Kandetzki.
The Falcons’ leading scorer is Ken McCormick with 14 points. Mike Hlatky has also scored in twin digits for PHS with 10 points.
SHSHL American Conference
Lansdale Catholic (5-1-0, 10) has earned the top spot in the SHSHL American Conference standings behind the leadership of new head coach Mark DiDonato.
“I have been coaching ice hockey for at least 20 years,” said DiDonato who has had stints with both La Salle and LC on the high school level. “Last year I helped out (LC coach) John Tresz, and he was unable to come back this year.
“I said that I would help out, and now I’m back as the head coach,” added DiDonato. “I have a son on the team (Anthony), and I coached him through youth hockey. I have come full circle.”
The Crusaders have gotten off to a fine start due in part to the improved play of junior goaltender Ben Mills.
“Ben is really the only goalie we have,” said DiDonato. “He has worked very hard on his game, and he has shown a tremendous amount of improvement.”
Nick Sette who has scored 12 goals and has 19 points has led the LC offense. Brenden Curtis has chipped in with 12 assists and 16 points, while Anthony Valerio has seven goals and 13 points. Andrew Hart is also is double figures scoring for the Crusaders with 12 points.
“We have a very good squad,” said DiDonato. “I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Hatboro-Horsham (4-1-0, 8) is right on the heels of LC only two points back in the conference standings.
Tim Boyle leads the Hatters in scoring with 14 points, while Manny Billones leads the team in scoring with seven goals. Patrick Durkin has 11 points so far this season. Goalie Vincent Mirarchi has been solid for the Hatters.
Upper Dublin (2-2-0, 4) has shown an explosive offense thus far this season with four players scoring over 17 points.
Brian Markman is the best of the Flying Cardinals with 10 goals and a team-high 20 points. Tyler Preskin also has 10 goals and has scored 19 points. Ben Hoffmann has 18 points for UD, while Samuel Etskovitz has added 17 points. Jack Deragon is the goaltender.
Wissahickon (1-3-0, 2) has had a difficult time scoring goals in front of goaltender Adam Solomon.
The leading scorer for the Trojans has been Sean Delaney with a modest eight points. Pat Wilson has recorded seven points for Wissahickon.
Upper Moreland (0-5-0, 0) is in search of its first win of the season. The Bears have had trouble scoring goals as Anthony Sher leads the team with three goals.
Jared Buch is a capable goaltender for the Golden Bears.
Suburban One Sports.com – Fab Four
1. Council Rock South Golden Hawks
2. Central Bucks East Patriots
3. William Tennent Panthers
4. Central Bucks South Titans
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