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By Craig Ostroff
Hathaway, defense elevating Neshaminy
Deep down, every defenseman wants to score goals.
Neshaminy captain JJ Hathaway is getting the chance to do just that.
The blueliner—along with fellow juniors Nolan Geria and Mike Knipple—anchors a Neshaminy team that has relied on its strong defense and goaltending in a season that sees the team in second place in the National Conference at 5-1 (8-1-1 overall).
But with Neshaminy having graduated some serious firepower from last year, the team needed the extra scoring boost.
Hathaway eagerly stepped up to show off the offensive dimension to his game.
“That offense has always been part of JJ’s game,” said Neshaminy coach Matt DeMatteo. “He’s a good skater, he’s got a great shot, he has solid offensive instincts. This year, we gave him the green light to let him go. It allows us to attack from the back line, and our forwards know when they see him go, they have to drop back because he’s going to take it and run.”
Through 10 games entering the week, Hathaway was third on the team with 10 points, and second in goals with 7.
“I knew we lost a few scorers so I’d have to pick up my offense,” Hathaway said. “That doesn’t just mean scoring goals, it also means just making the right passes to someone else.
“But it’s fun being able to skate up the ice and give it a shot at the net, not a lot of defensemen get the chance to do it as much as I’ve been able to. And it’s amazing to score in high school hockey. The crowds are amazing. It’s whole different atmosphere from club.”
As much fun as it can be to press up and dent the twine on the other end, the defensive zone is where Hathaway shines. With only three players on the team in double digits in scoring, Neshaminy has relied on shutting down opponents rather than outscoring them. Ten games into the season, Neshaminy has only allowed more than two goals twice.
“JJ, Nolan, and Mike have our core,” DeMatteo said. “JJ has been dynamite. He does everything. He matches up against other teams’ better lines, he plays a physical game. He plays that old-school, hard-nosed defense that’s tough to play against.
“Same with Nolan. Nolan is one of the best players I’ve seen come out of the Suburban League. He’s got great hands, great hockey sense, he knows how to move the puck well, he’s also really difficult to play against, really hard-nosed and gritty. He plays the game very physical but clean, and he’ll run through you to get to the puck. We’ll also match him against other teams’ top lines and he’ll go out to shut them down. Mike is not as much of an offensive threat, but he’s a very good stay-at-home defenseman, he positions himself well, and the fact that he’s so good at home allows the other two to roam a bit more knowing he’s there to back them up.”
And with a stellar goaltending tandem of senior Brian Nelson (4-1-1, 2.32 GAA, .934 SV%) and sophomore Corey Hemberger (4-0-0, 0.75 GAA, .972 SV%) patrolling the crease, Neshaminy continues to confound opposing offenses as the postseason creeps ever closer.
While they’re staying focused and looking only as far as the next game, the team believes it has a chance to make some noise in the playoffs and Flyers Cup.
“We’re preaching consistency and attention to smaller details,” DeMatteo said. “But with the group we have, we always walk into a game thinking have a shot. We feel we’re one of the better teams in the league, but we have to do the work. We have four tough games left in the regular season. If we don’t play our best games, any or all can go the other way. We’re preaching that this is a playoff run for us. We have to be at our best each and every game.”
Neshaminy’s stretch run begins Thursday at 7:20 pm at Grundy for a showdown with conference leader Council Rock South. They follow next week against a young but improving Council Rock North squad, then close out the season against undefeated Pennridge and neighborhood rival Pennsbury.
“We know we have a really good shot at the championship this year, but we have to work for it and play our game smart and without mistakes,” Hathaway said. “I’ve been playing with these guys since middle school, we’ve got a great group of kids, and I think we have a good shot at it if we play our best. It would be amazing, but we have to make it happen.”
Mangiacapre staying busy between the pipes
Matt Mangiacapre has stepped up to become a leader in every sense of the word.
Central Bucks East’s junior goalkeeper has routinely been the Patriots’ best player on the ice most nights. Despite being peppered with shots game after game, Mangiacapre has remained a steady presence and a solid keeper for the Patriots.
Mangiacapre—who took over starting goalie duties late last season—is also being counted upon to lead in the Patriots’ defensive end.
“All of our D are freshmen and sophomores this year,” said CB East coach Jeff Mitchell. “So Matt’s been a leader for my very young defensive core, giving them a lot of keys, keeping them focused. He knows the skill he’s got in front of him, and he’s stepped up and has been a good leader on the back side of the ice.”
He’s got a pretty good glove, too. And he uses it often. Entering this week, Mangiacapre was second in the league in shots faced. In last week’s game against undefeated SHSHL powerhouse Pennridge, Mangiacapre faced 50 shots, including nearly 30 in the first period alone. He turned aside all but one of those first-period shots.
“Matt was the star of that game,” Mitchell said. “He’s been the star of pretty much every game so far. He’s really been the backbone of the team. We always know we’re going to be in the game when he’s back there.”
It’s been a pressure-filled first full season as starter. With the Patriots struggling to put pucks in the net, Mangiacapre’s efforts have been crucial in keeping East in games for as long as possible.
“We know we have to help Matt,” Mitchell said. “We’ve got to start putting pucks in the net on the other side of the ice. The entire has team done great job so far of getting back in the defensive zone to help out, we’re putting up shots, they’re just not falling right now.
“We’ve got to help Matt out. He’s been keeping us in every single game, but if we don’t play well in front of him, we’re not doing him any justice.”
Mangiacapre—and the Patriots—came into this week at 3-7 overall (2-4 for 4 pts, fourth place in the Continental Conference). He is second in the SHSHL with 340 saves and sports a solid 4.20 goals against average.
In the locker room, Mangiacapre has also stepped into a leadership role in helping to mold the defense in front of him.
“Matt’s very vocal in the locker room,” Mitchell said. “I’d like him to be more vocal on the ice, but that’s going to come as he gets more experience. Matt is a guy who picks his spots. He’s not an overly aggressive guy, he really picks the right time to say something. And when he does talk, it’s ‘Hey, if Matt’s saying something, it’s important.’ And the guys listen.”
While there’s still time for CB East to make a little noise down the stretch this year, Mangiacapre’s abilities and leadership have the Patriots in a position to bring a skilled, experienced defense into next season.
“The biggest thing between the defense and goalie is communication,” Mitchell said. “Your goalie sees everything the D doesn’t, so that strong connection is so important.
“He’s really growing into this role. He’ll be our only senior next year, so this year has been a great opportunity for him to take control of how he wants things to run for the D. It’s important to have that goalkeeper position filled. He’s a guy who shows up every week and we know what we’re going to get from him every week. And with another year under his belt and having had a season to work with that defense, he’s setting the precedent for what the back side of our team is going to look like next year and in years to come.”
Mangiacapre and his Patriot teammates will lace up the pads next on February 2 at 7:50 pm at Revolution Ice Gardens for a battle with Pennsbury.
PW’s Weikel bursts to the top of the scoring leaderboard
Luke Weikel is having himself quite the offensive season.
In fact, in his just last four games alone leading into this week, the Plymouth Whitemarsh senior has put up numbers that would be impressive across a full season.
Since the calendar flipped to 2022, Weikel has been putting the puck in the net at a torrid pace. He contributed on all 8 goals in an 8-7 victory over Upper Dublin (5 goals, 3 assists), followed it up with another 5-goal effort against Abington, posted a hat trick against Wissahickon (3G, 2A), then scored 4 and assisted on 2 others in a 9-0 win over William Tennent.
That’s 17 goals and 7 assists. In four games.
Entering the week, Weikel’s 38 points on the season was tied for first in the SHSHL (along with linemate Aidan Keogh) and his 24 tallies placed him alone atop the league’s goal leaders. His 14 assists puts him in fourth in the league. He’s on a pace to shatter his career best of 51 (24G, 27A) points, set in his sophomore year.
“Luke has been a great player for Plymouth Whitemarsh since he was a freshman,” said Colonials’ coach Josh Aiello. “This year, he’s performing extremely well, even coming back as our leading scorer from last year and knowing other teams were going to focus on him.”
While Weikel’s numbers speak for themselves, his game is far more than simply being an offensive threat. The Colonials’ assistant captain can get the job done everywhere on the ice, and his leadership extends to far beyond simply helping to power the PW offense.
“You’re seeing what Luke can do with his offensive output, but what he does defensively is impressive as well,” Aiello said. “Luke is a reliable player in all three zones. He plays even strength, power play, penalty kill. He plays a disciplined game. He knows where to be on the ice, and he plays the game the right way.
“His sportsmanship is outstanding, his work ethic outstanding, he continues to be hungry, to be coachable, and that translates to the ice and helps produce points on the stat sheet. He’s a good leader for our team. He does things the right way, he’s always at practice, always looking to work hard to gain a competitive edge.”
It helps to have a familiar linemate at your side as well. Weikel and Keogh have been playing together since their freshman year. Their chemistry is unmistakable … and their scoring has been unstoppable.
“That’s a good, good duo with Weikel and Keogh,” Aiello said. “They complement each other very well with their passing and cycling, supporting each other as you expect from guys who have been playing together as long as they have. They’re hungry, humble, and always looking to get better. That’s another great attribute of both of them and many others on our team. When they accomplish one of their goals, they’re looking for their next.”
For the Colonials, the next goal is the next game, the next period, the next shift. PW is tied atop the American Conference at 6-1-0 for 12 points, tied with unbeaten Abington. Both are two points ahead of Wissahickon and Quakertown, who sit with 10 points. PW has one more game against each. The Colonials dropped a 9-7 decision to Abington earlier in the month, but hold victories over Quakertown and Wissahickon.
Every game will be playoff-caliber intensity down the stretch as the teams jockey for position. Whichever team is able to weather the pressure, perform at its top level, and execute its game plan is likely to be the one that comes out on top.
Aiello is confident that the Colonials have the ability to be that team. Their next chance to prove it comes February 3 at 8:30 pm, when the Colonials host Upper Dublin at Hatfield Blue before squaring off against Wissahickon the following week.
“I think if we play our systems and our games in a disciplined manner, I think PW can be one of the higher-performing teams in the greater Philadelphia area,” he said. “We have strong goaltending, strong defense, and strong offense. There are certain teams that don’t have as much balance up and down the ice, balance from seniors to underclassmen, we have a good level of experience.
“If we’re playing disciplined, playing our systems properly, and continuing to be dedicated to our craft, I’m confident with our chances against any opponent we would play against. It should be an exciting battle down the stretch. I’m looking forward to that. I’m confident in how we’re playing. From my perspective, we’re getting stronger. I’m seeing us trending upwards and getting stronger. We want to continue to get stronger and continue to get better every game and every shift.”
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