National Conference
At first glance, it may not seem like a 4-6-2 team is a team on the rise.
But take a closer look, and it's clear just how far the Abington ice hockey squad has come in a relatively short time.
"Abington was [winless] last year in league games," said the Ghosts' first-year coach Andrew Ducko.
The trend seemed almost destined to continue this season as Abington opened the 2009 season at 0-4, with three of those games coming against SHSHL National Division powerhouses Council Rock North, Council Rock South and Pennsbury.
But something happened after that 0-4 start. The Ghosts began to gain confidence, and the wins started to pile up. The team is 4-2-2 in its last eight games at the winter break.
"After those first three or four games, the attitude changed, and they realized that they can play with anyone,” Ducko said. “I’m happy to be over .500 after those first four games. We’re coming around, coming together. I see a lot of good things.”
And Ducko has some quality players leading the way. After not playing last year, forward Jimmy McKee has returned and is leading the Ghosts with 23 points. Tyler Moll (17 points) and four-year varsity starter Keith Richardson (13) are also in double-digit scoring.
Abington is also getting strong play from netminder Tommy Kain and senior defenseman Zach Saurman.
“Zach is definitely our anchor back there,” Ducko said. “He gives everything he’s got. He throws his body in front of a lot of shots. He’ll do anything to help the team, and you block 10 shots in a game, that could be the difference between winning and losing.”
The Ghosts will hit the ground running in 2010, coming out of the break with games against quality opponents Souderton (Jan. 7) and Council Rock South (Jan. 14) and a rematch against Neshaminy (Jan. 21).
“I think they realize now that they can beat a lot of the teams out there and they can play with anyone,” Ducko said.
American Conference
If there's one team that likely cannot wait to return from the winter break, it's Hatboro-Horsham.
The Hatters sit in second place in the American Division, one point behind first-place Wissahickon. And three of their first seven games back from break are against the Trojans. Those three games may go a long way toward claiming the division title.
"It's going to be very interesting," H-H coach Mike Shiels said of his team's post-break schedule. "It's a shame we haven't had a chance to play them yet this season. It'll be a big challenge."
But the Hatters (3-0-1 American Division, 7-3-1 overall) have dealt with plenty of challenges so far. The young Hatter squad boasts only two seniors -- forwards Brian Smith and Keith Eisenberg -- but the team is experienced and has played in numerous close games this season.
"We're pretty young," Shiels said. "We've got a lot of juniors and sophomores. Our two team leaders are seniors, but we've got some really good young kids. Hopefully it'll serve us well in the coming years. A lot of them played varsity last year. They got a good taste of what we're about, and they're coming along nicely."
Sophomore Manny Billones -- whom Shiels calls a "complete player" -- is tied with Eisenberg with 20 points, behind only Smith's 24. And junior goalies Alex Husarenko and Vincent Mirarchi have been solid between the pipes for the Hatters.
"Our goalies keep us in just about every game," Shiels said. "They're getting great experience playing in pressure games."
And that could be a key factor when the Hatters return in January with a handful of important games down the stretch.
"We're playing pretty decent hockey," Shiels said. "As the season continues, I'm looking for consistency. I'd like to see a little more discipline in the little things we need to do to be successful.
"What we tell the kids is, 'If we do the little things well, the rest of the things will take care of themselves.'"
Continental Conference
Injuries are a natural part of sports.
For Central Bucks East's hockey team, however, they've become almost a daily occurrence.
"We've had a lot of injuries," said Patriots' coach Ken Latchum. "We lost three of our top players with a broken collarbone (Austin Cinalli), a broken arm (Mike Palmer) and a shoulder separation (Tyler McIntosh). Plus we've had three or four concussions. Our first two games we had the whole team. Then all the injuries started."
Yet East is still hanging tough in the hotly contested Continental Division, entering the winter break at 5-7-1 (overall and in league play), one point behind C.B. South and three behind division-leading Souderton.
"Two kids from JV who stepped up are Luke Davis and Joe Caperelli," Latchum said. "They're getting experience, but they've also really helped the team."
"Alex Piccione is a great player and a model kid. He gives 110 percent every time he's out there. Nick Patullo is a freshman who has really helped. On defense, Conor Long and Joe Echelmeier, both first year players, really helped out on defense."
Sharing goalkeeping duties are Brendan Meehan and Justin Golia, who have allowed only 46 goals between them this season, best in the Continental Division.
"Defense has been a key," Latchum said. "We knew going into the season that we weren't going to score a ton of goals. It's been a total team effort on defense."
When they return from break, East will battle Council Rock South on Jan. 6, then face C.B. South on Jan. 13.
And with injuries healing and bodies getting healthy, East is primed for a strong second half of the season.
"Hopefully we'll have a full team again for the stretch and the playoffs," said Latchum, who remains cautious of Cinalli's availability, but expects the rest of the players back. "I'm looking for the guys to make a deep run into the playoffs and the Flyers Cup. That's been our goal from the beginning."
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