Pennsbury & Council Rock South were winners in SHSHL quarterfinal action Monday. Neshaminy/Pennridge photos provided courtesy of Keith Clemens Photography. CLICK HERE for a gallery of photos.
Pennridge 4, Neshaminy 2
Sometimes, it’s not the goals that decide a game.
Pennridge entered the third period of Monday night’s Suburban High School High League quarterfinal playoff game against Neshaminy with a two-goal lead. But that was trimmed to one goal early in the third after a penalty gave Neshaminy a power play.
Then, the Rams took another penalty, and just like that, the lead, and the game, appeared in jeopardy.
But the defense stepped up, as they killed the power play, held Neshaminy at bay and then Jack Lowery’s goal with 5 minutes, 42 seconds remaining gave Pennridge all the insurance it would need to post a 4-2 victory at Hatfield Ice.
"I took that penalty," Lowery said. "I don't know if I agree with the (roughing) call, but that was huge. That was really important. Once we got that, momentum just swung in our direction. As soon as we got that penalty off, we got right back to 5-on-5 and they couldn't hang with us.””
Pennridge goalie Ryan Pico finished with 48 saves on the night, and had several key stops, but on that power play, he had a lot of help defensively too.
"That right there was the game," said Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna. "Obviously, there's 10 minutes after that, but you get another power play there and that's really deflating. We did a great job killing that.
"It was Colin Dachowski, Ryan Schuler and Aidan Boyle. They pretty much killed that."
The players definitely felt the momentum shift after the penalty expired.
"When you're in the third period like that, in a tight playoff game, emotions start to take over,” Lowery said. “You just go out and do what you know to do. Give everything you got when you're out there."
The teams traded goals in the first period, as Andrew Savona opened the scoring on Pennridge’s first shot of the game less than two minutes in, off the assist from Kevin Pico. Neshaminy answered, as Jacob Helms stuffed home a rebound to tie it with 6:18.
It was 1-1 after one, but Neshaminy appeared to have the better of play, and a 17-10 shot advantage.
The second period belonged to Pennridge, as Jeff Manto scored off a great pass from Aeryk Lehrhaupt with 10:16 left, and then Lehrhaupt scored one himself, with Aidan Boyle and Manto picking up assists.
"What I was proud of was - that's a good team Neshaminy; they're a good offensive team - we took their best shot in the first period," Montagna said. "They really came after us. For (the Pennridge players) to settle down in the second and take that game over, it's not easy to do. They kept their composure and really flipped the page on that in the second period."
Matt Duke scored for Neshaminy - assisted by Thomas Gallagher - to cut the lead to 3-2 with still 14:32 remaining.
After the key penalty kill that followed, Andrew David made a great move to the goal and dished to Lowery, who finished and put the game on ice for the Rams.
"You know, Andrew David is a phenomenal player," Lowery said. "He walked right down the wall, walked to the middle, looked the goalie off, gave me the beautiful pass and I put it in the back of the net. They did all the work. I'm really grateful for that."
With the win, Pennridge (8-4) will play top-seeded Pennsbury in the semifinals on Wednesday (7:20 p.m.) at Grundy.
"We lost to Pennsbury the first game of the year 3-2,” Montagna said. “It was a great game. They scored two in the third to beat us."
Neshaminy (6-6-1) is off until April 6 when it opens Flyers Cup play as the No. 9 seed against No. 8 Perkiomen Valley at Ice Line.
Pennridge 4, Neshaminy 2
Neshaminy 1 0 1 - 2
Pennridge 1 2 1 - 4
First-period goals: Andrew Savona (P) from Kevin Pico, 14:03; Jacob Helms (N), 6:18
Second-period goals: Jeff Manto (P) from Aeryk Lehrhaupt, 10:16; Aeryk Lehrhaupt (P) from Aidan Boyle and Jeff Manto, 4:56
Third-period goals: Matt Duke (N) from Thomas Gallagher, 14:32; Jack Lowery (P) from Andrew David, 5:42
Shots: Neshaminy 50, Pennridge 41; Saves: Brian Nelson (N) 37; Ryan Pico (P) 48
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 7, NORTH PENN 0
Jimmy Sweeny was perfect in goal, turning away all 34 shots he faced in a brilliant outing. Blaize Pepe’s hat trick led a balanced Golden Hawk attack. The win vaulted the Hawks in Wednesday’s SHSHL semifinal where they will face Central Bucks South at Hatfield Ice (6:30 p.m.)
In the opening period, the Knights held a 14-9 advantage in shots but trailed 2-0, thanks go goals by Pepe (Kyle Schneider assist) and Jeremy Purcell (Kyle Boss/Julian Sarne assists).
The Golden Hawks scored three goals in the second period to go on top 5-0. Julian Wagenmann found the net with an Andrew Darling assist 6:25 into the period, and two minutes later, Pepe scored his second goal, this one with assists from Chase Tovsky and Douglas Lopez. Brennen Wright scored with assists from Kevin Koles and Tovsky late in the period.
Goals by Julian Sarne (Douglas Lopez/Sam Cherkassky assists) and Pepe (Purcell assist) closed out the scoring.
North Penn 0-0-0 0
Council Rock South 2-3-2 7
First period: 1. Blaize Pepe CRS (Kyle Schneider) 3:22; 2. Jeremy Purcell CRS (Kyle Boss/Julian Sarne) 9:59.
Second period: 3. Julian Wagenmann CRS (Andrew Darling) 6:25; 4. Blaize Pepe CRS (Chase Tovsky/Douglas Lopez) 8:40; 5. Brennen Wright CRS (Kevin Koles/Chase Tovsky) 12:05.
Third period: 6. Julian Sarne CRS (Douglas Lopez/Sam Cherkassky) 9:13; 7. Blaize Pepe CRS (Jeremy Purcell) 13:49.
Shots: CRS 33, NP 34. Saves: Jon Boyles (NP) 26, Jimmy Sweeny (CRS) 34.
- Log in to post comments
