North Penn, William Tennent & Lower Moreland are featured in this week’s notebook, which includes a list of the top scorers and top goalies.
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By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
The calendar has flipped from 2017 to 2018 and the teams in the Suburban High School Hockey League are making their respective runs to both the league playoffs and a coveted Flyers Cup invitation.
Good luck to one and all.
SHSHL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
North Penn Knights
North Penn head coach Kevin Vaitis has continued to see his 2017-2018 Knights improve each and every game.
“Central Bucks South whupped us pretty good the first time that we played them,” said Vaitis in reference to the 7-0 loss to the first place Titans. “I was very pleased with how we played them the second time.
“Even though we lost 9-5, it was still close in the third period,” added Vaitis, whose team trailed just 6-5 midway through that final period. “We want to continue to keep playing better and be at our best at the end of the season.
“Our goal is to get at least 10 shots every period and to hold the other team to less than seven shots,” continued Vaitis. “If we do that – we are going to win more than our share of games.”
North Penn has showcased a talented trio of lines in the early going.
“We feel that we can roll with three lines every game,” said Vaitis. “When we do that, we are fresh at the end of the game, while some of the other teams we play can only go with two lines.”
The top Knight line features the talents of senior Andrew Galetta. Galetta is joined by junior Jared Albano and sophomore Joshua Kaufhold.
“Andrew is the most talented offensive player we have on the team,” said Vaitis. “He has great speed – a great shot – and can be both a physical and finesse player.”
The second North Penn line showcases juniors Nathan Oh and Jake Nelson along with sophomore Tyler Greenstein.
“Jake moved here from Chicago and didn’t play with us last year,” said Vaitis. “He and Nathan are good friends and they have become a great pair on that line.”
The third line for the Knights features seniors Alex Stevens and John Kim along with junior Will Hughes.
“We juggled the lines at the beginning of the season,” said Vaitis. “But we have stuck with these lines the last few games – the chemistry looks like it is there.”
The North Penn defense is anchored by the Boyle brothers – senior George and sophomore Thomas. Sophomore Ryan Greenwood and freshmen Luke Van Why and Ryan Cunningham provide talented depth.
The biggest question mark comes in goal with the untested duo of Chris Maiden and Andrew Zanoni.
“Both of them play varsity and junior varsity to get ice time and to stay sharp,” said Vaitis. “Right now we are searching out who our number one is going to be at the end of the season, but that competition will take care of itself.”
Competition is what the Knights will face in their non-league contest with powerful Holy Ghost Prep to begin the New Year on Wednesday.
“We won’t have a practice before the game, but it still will be a great way to start the New Year,” said Vaitis. “Holy Ghost Prep is a team that gets to the finals or semifinals every year at the AAA level.
“It will be a great challenge for us,” added Vaitis. “But a game like that will help set us up for the second half of the season.”
SHSHL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
William Tennent Panthers
William Tennent head coach Nick D’Aurizoknows without doubt that he has the best goalie in the league, but he also knows that blue chip net minder Eric Lineman is the lone senior on a young and inexperienced team.
“Eric is going to be black and blue from all the rubber teams fire at him,” said D’Aurizo. “He loves to play the game and has a great attitude about where we are right now.
“Eric is much like his older brother CJ in that they were both technically sound,” added D’Aurizo. “He is very athletic and plays great positional hockey.”
Lineman has faced a staggering 406 shots on goal in eight games – winning one of those games and collecting three ties.
“This team is extremely young and has its growing pains,” said D’Aurizo “But they are a great group to coach – everyone is loose – and they are positive and want to learn.
“We preach to the players that they will be coached as an individual,” added D’Aurizo. “And with that the system will fall into place.”
The Panther blue line is being defended by a pair of promising underclassmen in freshman Zach Devor and sophomore Stephen Skiba.
“Zach plays with an edge for a freshman,” said D’Aurizo. “He has the makings for a future captain.
“Stephen was moved back to defense out of necessity,” added D’Aurizo. “He is very quick and might have the best hands on the team.”
The offense, which is still looking for its identity, is anchored by junior Bobby Markus and sophomore Mason McKeever alongside sophomore David Gray.
“We have an offense by committee,” said D’Aurizo. “Bobby Markus is our captain and leads the first line.
“Like I said, we are young and will get better as the year goes on,” added D’Aurizo. “This is going to be a positive year for the underclassmen.”
SHSHL Varsity ‘AA’ Continental Conference Standings
1. Central Bucks South Titans 5 0 0 10
2. Pennridge Rams 4 0 0 8
3. North Penn Knights 3 1 0 6
4. Souderton Indians 2 2 0 4
5. Central Bucks East Patriots 2 3 0 4
6. Central Bucks West Bucks 1 3 0 2
SHSHL Varsity ‘AA’ National Conference Standings
1. Council Rock South Hawks 4 0 1 9
2. Council Rock North Indians 2 3 1 5
3. William Tennent Panthers 1 3 2 4
4. Neshaminy Redskins 1 3 1 3
5. Truman Tigers 0 2 1 1
6. Pennsbury Falcons 0 6 0 0
SHSHL Varsity ‘AA’ Top 10 Skaters
Goals/Assists/Points
1. Zac Herman CR North 13 11 24
2. Eric Slater Pennridge 12 12 24
3. Michael Walker Pennridge 12 11 23
4. Matt Stoll CB South 12 7 19
5. Matthew Meli CR South 14 3 17
6. Daniel Guest CR North 9 8 17
7. Reis Braccio CB South 4 12 16
8. Brandon Simmonds CRN 4 11 15
9. Nathan Oh North Penn 5 10 15
10. Cavan Tully CR North 5 9 14
John Vanni CR North 7 7 14
Joe DeLauretntis CB South 13 1 14
Andrew Galleta N Penn 9 5 14
Jared Albano North Penn 5 9 14
SHSHL Varsity ‘AA’ Top Goaltenders (100+ minutes)
Wins/Saves/Goals Against/Save %
1. Oscar Levin CB South 6/107/1.03/.947
2. Mason Procz CR South 3/79/1.76/.929
3. Luke Stranick Pennridge 6/163/2.00/.921
4. Tim White CB South 2/63/2.19/.900
5. Steve Glik Neshaminy 3/175/2.62/.921
6. Chris Maiden North Penn 4/83/3.44/.814
7. Chris McIntyre CB East 2/119/4.18/.826
8. Joshua Smith Souderton 2/172/4.50/.905
9. Jeremy Kennard CB West 3/110/4.54/.859
10. Eric Lineman William Ten 1/367/4.88/.904
‘On Ice’ This Week in the SHSHL Varsity ‘AA’
Wednesday – 1/3/18
Central Bucks West vs. Neshaminy @ Hatfield – 7:10 pm
Thursday – 1/4/18
Neshaminy vs. Souderton @ Hatfield – 7:10 pm
Pennridge vs. CR North @ Warwick – 8:45 pm
CB East vs. Pennsbury @ Grundy – 9:00 pm
Friday – 1/5/18
CR South vs. William Tennent @ Bucks County Ice – 6:50 pm
CB South vs. CB East @ Hatfield – 8:50 pm
SHSHL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Lower Moreland Lions
Lower Moreland head coach Anthony D’Oraziohad a core of underclassmen suffer through a 3-11 season a year ago.
“We have gotten beat up the last three years,” said D’Orazio. “And for the six seniors and the four juniors – this year has been extra special.”
The Lions are 3-3 in the conference standings with two of those losses coming against unbeaten conference power Wissahickon. The other conference loss was a 7-5 setback against Abington.
“We led the Abington game 4-0 and let it get away from us,” said D’Orazio. “We have been in every game but the Wissahickon games, and this team has never been 3-3 before.
“We have the attitude that we can compete in all of our remaining conference games,” added D’Orazio. “And being competitive makes the games much more fun.”
The bulk of the offensive firepower has come from a line that features freshman Adam Bostock and senior Campbell Manin. Seniors Coleman Peppelman, AJ D’Orazio, and Simon Gratowski also scores goals for the Lions.
“Adam is perhaps our most talented player,” said Orazio. “He has speed, vision, and is very unselfish. Sometimes too unselfish for me.”
Senior Brennan Bostock anchors the Lower Moreland defense along the blue line, while freshman Devin Green, freshman Bryce Fazio, and junior Simon Pezalla provide depth.
“Brennan is the leader of that group,” said D’Orzaio. “He can push the puck, and I let him play without restrictions.”
The Lion goaltender is John Duesler.
“John is new to the game,” said D’Orazio. “This is only his second year playing goal.
“He works hard, takes lessons on how to get better, and battles the entire game,” said D’Orazio. “He is a good student, a good kid, and someone who you would want on your team.”
SHSHL Varsity ‘A’ American Conference Standings
1. Wissahickon Trojans 8 0 0 16
2. Hatboro Horsham Hatters 6 1 0 12
3. Abington Ghosts 4 2 0 8
4. Upper Dublin Cardinals 4 4 0 8
5. Lower Moreland Lions 3 3 0 6
6. New Hope Solebury Lions 1 5 0 2
7. Plymouth Whitemarsh 1 7 0 2
8. Upper Moreland Bears 0 5 0 0
SHSHL Varsity ‘A’ Top Skaters
Goals/Assists/Points
1. Bryan Garry Wissahickon 30 18 48
2. Sean Garry Wissahickon 23 16 39
3. Ari Nordlinger U Dublin 20 7 27
4. Dean Keller PW 20 5 25
5. Perry Carpenter Abington 12 10 22
6. Jacob Mueller H Horsham 12 8 20
7. Colin Franzoni PW 7 13 20
8. Daniel Glazer Wissahickon 6 12 18
9. Oren Serafin Upper Dublin 13 5 18
10. Chris Braun NH Solebury 14 4 18
SHSHL Varsity ‘A’ Top Goaltenders (90+minutes)
Wins/ Saves/Goals Against/Save %
1. Jake Modelvsky Wissahickon 2/29/1.00/.935
2. Jacob Snellburg Abington 4/148/2.60/.919
3. Ryan Bell Hatboro Horsham 4/99/2.75/.889
4. Michael Henderson Wiss. 6/183/4.17/.863
5. Joe Gambino Hat-Horsham 1/78/5.00/.886
6. Stephen Sanders U Dublin 5/132/5.44/.729
‘On Ice’ This Week in the SHSHL Varsity ‘A’
Wednesday – 1/3/18
Wissahickon vs. Upper Moreland @ Bucks County Ice – 9pm
Thursday – 1/4/18
Hatboro-Horsham @ Lower Moreland @ Wintersport – 8:30 pm
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