By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SHSHL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Souderton Indians
Souderton has to be the best fourth place team around as the talented Indians compete in the powerful SHSHL Continental Conference.
“There is no question that we play great competition in our conference,” said Souderton head coach Matt Montagna. “We know that we can play with anyone, though, and our goal is to win every game and compete for a championship.
“This is a senior laden team, and these players have played together a long time,” added Montagna as the Big Red boasts 13 seniors. “That group of players know that this is their time – their year.”
Ironically, the fortunes of this team may fall on the shoulders of freshman goaltender Dawson Anders.
“Dawson is extremely athletic, and all we want him to do is play with confidence,” said Montagna. “We have played in front of some big crowds already this season, and nothing seems to bother him.
“We have a lot of 18-year old seniors supporting our 14-year old freshman,” added Montagna. “His older brother (Clay) is one of them, but he gets great support from all the other seniors as well.”
Souderton boasts the most prolific scoring line in the entire SHSHL with the trio of seniors Alex Politsky (23 goals-10 assists-33 points), Daniel Rock (17-12-29), and Clay Anders (0-15-15).
“That line is quite an explosive package – each knows his role,” said Montagna. “Alex is just tenacious every second on the ice, and both Daniel and Clay play very intelligent hockey. They are a coach’s dream.”
Souderton also boasts a quartet of talented defensemen. Chris Malanga, Kyle Milosec, Connor Walsh, and Thomas Tierney protect the blue line with the best of the teams in the SHSHL.
“It is a group of players that play hard and block everything that comes their way,” said Montagna. “They are willing to get in your face, and they have done a lot to make us successful this season.”
Not a bad collection of talent – especially for a fourth place team.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL Continental Conference
North Penn created a logjam at the top of the conference standings with a 6-4 victory over Central Bucks East. With the win, the Knights (8-2-1) joined CB East (8-2) and CB South (8-2) with 8 wins in the conference. Jake Heckenberger played a huge game for North Penn with a 4-goal outing, while Matthew Stella was terrific with a 5-assist performance. Andrew Bily, Liam Kolar, Sean Parachus, and Austin Chase all scored single goals for the Patriots.
Central Bucks South moved into the conference penthouseas the Titans routed rival Central Bucks West by a 9-1 score. CB South had a pair of players torch the Bucks with hat trick performances as both Anthony Rubas and Dominic Bova each found the back of the net 3 times. Leo Flick, Damon Laurentis, and Brandon Spognardi each scored solo goals for the winners, while goalie Nick Madson recorded 23 saves. West net minder Kenny Doak was super, stopping a staggering 57 Titan shots on goal, while Scotty Cappuccio scored the lone goal for the Bucks.
CB West earned a 2-2 tie earlier in the week against Pennsbury. Cappuccio scored both goals for the Bucks, while goaltender Jonah Brous collected 31 saves for West.
SHSHL Continental Conference Standings
Central Bucks East Patriots 8 2 0 * 16
Central Bucks South Titans 8 2 0 * 16
North Penn Knights 8 2 1 * 16
Souderton Indians 6 2 2 * 14
Central Bucks West Bucks 3 5 2 * 8
Pennridge Rams 3 8 0 * 6
‘On Ice’ This Week in the SHSHL Continental Conference
Wednesday (11/22/14)
Central Bucks South vs. Council Rock South @ Bucks County Ice – 7 pm
Central Bucks East vs. Pennridge Rams @ Hatfield – 7:20 pm
Thursday (11/23/14)
Souderton Indians vs. Council Rock North Indians @ Warwick – 7 pm
Friday (11/24/14)
Truman Tigers vs. Central Bucks South Titans @ Warwick – 7 pm
Central Bucks West Bucks vs. North Penn Knights @ Hatfield – 7:20 pm
SHSHL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Neshaminy Redskins
Neshaminy is poised to make a run in the National Conference in the second half of the conference season under the guidance of first year head coach Dan VanBuskirk.
“We have played most of the good teams from the other (Continental) conference and have shown the ability to play with them,” said VanBuskirk. “The majority of our second half schedule is with the teams that are within our conference, and we hope to be able to pick up some wins there. We absolutely can play with anyone.”
Neshaminy has a fine nucleus of talent in goal – on defense – and on offense.
“Matt Sheley has a great ability of just stopping the puck – no rebounds,” said VanBuskirk of his talented junior goal tender. “There is never a time in the game where he isn’t extremely focused, and with him in net we are going to be in every single game.”
The Redskin defense has also been strong with the play of senior captain Nick Verdi, sophomore Chris Wojnar, and the addition of senior Nick Sweeney.
“Chris Verdi simply does everything for us,” said VanBuskirk. “He is our best scoring defenseman, plays on both the power play and our penalty kill team, and most importantly is a great leader on and off the ice.
“Chris Wojnar is probably our second best defenseman and has continued to improve,” added VanBuskirk. “And with Nick Sweeney back on the team, we have another player that will have a positive impact on the team with his experience and physical play.”
Neshaminy has received its offensive production from a pair of lines.
Senior Eric Graham (13 goals – 7 assists – 20 points), junior Mark Hullings, and senior Matt Kaleck make up the #1 line. Sophomore Ian Dixon, junior Nick Foster, and senior Nick Sabatini make up the #2 line.
“We feel that we have two equally balanced lines that can score,” said VanBuskirk. “Eric Graham has been our leading scorer and has shown the knack of being able to score goals with his hustle, quickness, and strong shot.
“We have (first place) Council Rock South on Thursday (11/24) and we can’t wait for that game,” added VanBuskirk. “We lost to them 4-3 without Sweeney the first time we played, and we want to be able to prove to everyone that we can play with them.”
Stay tuned.
In the Rear View Mirror in the SHSHL National Conference Last Week
Council Rock South kept a firm grasp on first placein the conference standings with a convincing 12-3 victory over Truman. The Golden Hawks had a 4-goal explosion from Nick Keck to lead the offense, while Justin Adams supported Keck with a hat trick. Karl Martin added a pair of goals for the winners, while Andrew Stone came up with 18 saves in goal. The Tigers had a 2-goal outing from Mike Roarty and Ross Koenig managed a solo goal. Christian Morlando faced a staggering 47 shots and came up with 35 saves in goal for HST.
Truman opened the week with a 4-4 deadlock with Neshaminy. Roarty and Zach Bennett each scored a pair of goals for the Tigers, while Morlando registered 24 saves. The Redskins had four goal scorers as Mark Hullings, Nick Sabatini, Mark Kruise, and Nick Foster each scored single goals. Matt Lucas was clutch in goal with 32 saves.
Council Rock North was unbeaten during the week with a 3-0-conference victory over Abington. Justin Fricke led the Indian scoring attack with a pair of goals, while Andre Speery scored a solo goal for Rock North. Kyle McQuillan was perfect in net for the Indians with 30 saves. Cole Kramer collected 18 saves to highlight play for the Ghosts.
Pennsbury captured a point in the standings as the Falcons tied Central Bucks West 2-2 in a ‘cross-over’ contest. The goal scorers for Pennsbury were Craig Meschel and Linder Kenyon. Trevor Schandler was solid in goal for the Falcons with 23 saves.
SHSHL National Conference Standings
Council Rock South Golden Hawks 7 3 0 * 14
Neshaminy Redskins 4 5 1 * 9
Pennsbury Falcons 3 5 1 * 7
Council Rock North Indians 3 6 1 * 7
Truman Tigers 2 7 2 * 6
Abington Ghosts 1 8 0 * 2
‘On Ice’ This Week in the SHSHL National Conference
Wednesday (11/22/14)
Central Bucks South vs. Council Rock South @ Bucks County Ice – 7 pm
Abington Ghosts vs. Pennsbury Falcons @ Grundy – 8:30 pm
Thursday (11/23/14)
Souderton Indians vs. Council Rock North Indians @ Warwick – 7 pm
Council Rock South Golden Hawks vs. Neshaminy Redskins @ Grundy – 7:20 pm
Pennsbury Falcons vs. Abington Ghosts @ Wintersport – 7:20 pm
Friday (11/24/14)
Truman Tigers vs. Central Bucks South @ Warwick – 7 pm
SHSHL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
William Tennent Panthers
William Tennent has won its last five games in a row, and the youthful Panthers are primed for making a run not only for a SHSHL American Conference title, but a run at a Flyers Cup championship as well.
“We are looking not only for a conference championship, but a chance to compete for an ‘A’ division championship with the Flyers Cup,” said William Tennent head coach Nick D’Aurizio. “We are playing great hockey right now, and even though both Wissahickon and Upper Moreland are good teams, we feel that we can compete with them.
“Our goal is to be able to go out and play consistent hockey for all 48 minutes,” added D’Aurizio. “This is a team that is heavy with freshmen and sophomore players, and there are still times that we show both our youth and inexperience.
“We have come to depend on our senior captains – PJ Partington and Jeff Mitchell – to provide leadership,” continued D’Aurizio. “PJ was a no-brainer when the coaches decided the make him a captain, and putting the ‘C’ on Jeff’s jersey has helped make him one of the best players in the league.”
Sophomore Alec Dugan (7 goals – 20 assists – 27 points) has been the biggest point producer for the Panthers thus far this season and has been paired with sophomore Andrew Bean (10-6-16) and freshman Mike Padgeon (9-6-15).
“For a line of underclassmen, they have come a long way,” said D’Aurizio. “They have been able to put points on the board, and they have embraced the concept that they not only have to score, but play team defense as well.”
Mitchell anchors the fine Panther defense that also features sophomore Charlie Feeney, freshman Chris Kreider, and freshman Mike Carrelli.
“We are also fortunate to have two good goalies in CJ Lineman and Zach Dorsey,” said D’Aurizio. “CJ also plays for the junior Flyers and has been extremely effective in the games he plays for us, and Zach gives us a chance to win every game we play.”
And right now – that is the winning destination that the Panthers want to follow.
SHSHL American Conference Standings
Wissahickon Trojans 6 2 0 * 12
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 4 1 0 * 8
William Tennent Panthers 3 3 0 * 6
Archbishop Wood Vikings 2 2 0 * 4
Lansdale Catholic Crusaders 1 3 0 * 2
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 1 6 0 * 2
‘On Ice’ This Week in the SHSHL American Conference
Friday (11/24/14)
Upper Moreland Golden Bears vs. William Tennent Panthers @ Wintersport – 7:20 pm
Suburban One Sports.com
SHSHL Top Ten
1. Central Bucks East Patriots
2. Central Bucks South Titans
3. North Penn Knights
4. Souderton Indians
5. Council Rock South Golden Hawks
6. Neshaminy Redskins
7. Wissahickon Trojans
8. Upper Moreland Golden Bears
9. William Tennent Panthers
10. Pennsbury Falcons
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