By Scott Huff
West Chester – History was not on the side of Council Rock South as the Flyers Cup champions met Penguins Cup champ Bishop Canevin for the Class AA Pennsylvania State Ice Hockey title on Saturday. The game was played at the Ice Line Center in West Chester before a vocal sellout crowd.In the Class AA division, the Penguins Cup winner has now won seven in a row – 15 of the last 17 – and 25 of the 33 games played with the Flyers Cup winner dating back to 1974-75. And history repeated itself as the Pittsburgh-based Crusaders defeated the Golden Hawks from Council Rock South – by a misleading 4-1 final.
“If you just look at the final score, you might not realize that it was really a one-goal game,” said Council Rock South head coach Joe Houk in reference to the two open net goals Bishop Canevin scored in the final minute. “We had every opportunity to win this game, and we needed a break or two to go our way.
“But their goalie (Zackary Daley) was tremendous with the pressure we put on him in the third period,” added Houk. “We had great chances, but he came up with huge saves in the pressure situations.”
Council Rock South took a 1-0 first period lead on a goal by senior defenseman Zack Goodman with 54 seconds left in the period. The assist – believe it or not – came from Hawk senior goaltender Steve Jastrow. It would be the last time South would score in the game despite constant offensive pressure throughout the game.
“Their goalie had a great game for them,” said Goodman – who will play college lacrosse next year at Gwynedd Mercy College. “We worked really hard to get good shots on him, but we just couldn’t beat him.
“Losing is hard, but I will have no bad memories of playing ice hockey at South,” added Goodman. “I feel that my teammates are really part of my family.”
Bishop Canevin – which now owns four Class AA state trophies in the history of its school – tied the score with 10:44 left in the second period on a goal by senior Nicholas Hart.
It appeared that CR South had regained the lead with 8:52 left in the second period when senior Patrick Grilli followed his shot into the net and appeared to beat Daley. However, the referee waved off the goal and the game remained deadlocked.
“From where I stood, it looked like a goal,” said Houk. “But the official was right there, and said the puck was under him and not behind him. You can’t turn the clock back and change that call, but we still had enough time to score more goals after that.”
The game-changing goal came with just four seconds left in the second period when the Crusaders scored a goal off the stick of junior forward Matthew Walsh.
“The worst thing that can happen to a team is to have a team scored with under a minute left in the period,” said Houk. “But I thought we did a great job of putting that behind us and played a great third period.”
South put relentless pressure on Daley in the final period, but the senior goalkeeper kept them off the board and secured the win for the Crusaders. South pulled its goalie twice during the final minute of play – and BC converted both times as both Walsh and Peter Karney scored into the open net.
“I thought that we came into the game very well prepared to win,” said Houk. “It was a back-and-forth game which showed both physical play and skill.
“I told the kids that this won’t be the worst thing to happen in their life,” added Houk. “I am very proud of these players. We enjoyed a great season – and now we have a party to go to tonight.”
A good ending to a great season.
Ice Chips – There have been four teams from what is now the Suburban High School Hockey League to win state Class AA championships – Council Rock (1991-1992), William Tennent (1987-1988), Pennsbury (1984-1985), and Abington (1975-1976). Council Rock South (2008-2009) and Council Rock (1986-1987) were runner-ups in the state Class AA finals. Council Rock (1990-1991) won a Class AAA championship in 1990-1991, while William Tennent was the runner-up in the Class AAA final in 1988-1989.
Score By Periods:
Council Rock South Golden Hawks 1 0 0 * 1
Bishop Canevin Crusaders 0 2 2 * 4
Shots On Goal:
Council Rock South 7 11 10 * 28
Bishop Canevin 7 15 7 * 29
Saves:
CR South: Steve Jastrow – 25.
Bishop Canevin – Zackary Daley – 27.
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