This week’s notebook highlights CB South, Abington and Wissahickon.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
SHSHL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks South Titans
Central Bucks South (9-2-1) finds itself among the elite teams in the SHSHL’s elite conference along with both North Penn (9-2-1) and Central Bucks East (9-2-0).
“There is no doubt how great this conference is this year, and the expectations are for us to compete for a conference championship,” said Central Bucks South head coach Tom Coyne. “Of course the Flyers Cup is what everyone is after, but there is a huge sense of pride in winning a conference championship – especially this year.”
The Titans will have their hands full this week with a pair of key conference games. South will meet district rival CB West on Wednesday and then turn around an play talented North Penn just 24 hours later.
“Sometimes playing games that close together can be difficult,” said Coyne. “Sometimes there isn’t a whole lot left in the tank for the second game, but I really feel that we will be alright with it.
“North Penn is always good, and (North Penn head coach) Kevin Vaitis always has them ready to play,” added Coyne. “We respect their team – we respect the rivalry we have developed with North Penn. It is a huge game for both teams.”
Central Bucks South has showcased not only a high scoring team this season, but the Titans have featured tremendous balance among its scorers. The #1 senior line of Kevin Casey (5 goals, 24 assists, 29 points), Dominic Bova (17-10-27), and Jake Bauer (14-13-27) has been effective. Other nice point producers include Mike Pilla (13-18-31), Brandon Spognardi (8-16-24), Leo Flick (9-10-19), and Damon Delaurentis (7-11-18).
“There is great chemistry in that Casey-Bova-Bauer line,” said Coyne. “There isn’t one player that another team can take away. If you shut one down, the others will be tough to handle. It’s nice to have that type of balance.”
It is also nice to have the talent that the Titans have in goal with the trio of senior Jeff Pelkowski (2.29 goals against average), senior Nick Madson (1.20), and sophomore Aaron King (2.34).
“Jeff played well for us last year and has carried the load for us this year,” said Coyne. “And Nick played JV for us last year - worked hard in the off season - and has also had a nice season.
“Aaron is the future of this team in goal, and we will find him spots this year,” added Coyne. “We’ll take a look at how they are playing at the end of the season and look for that hot goalie to count on in the playoffs.”
SHSHL Continental Conference Standings
Central Bucks East Patriots 9 2 0 18
Central Bucks South Titans 9 2 1 18
North Penn Knights 9 2 1 18
Souderton Indians 7 2 2 16
Central Bucks West Bucks 3 6 2 8
Pennridge Rams 3 9 0 6
‘On Ice’ in the SOL Continental Conference
Wednesday (1/29/14)
Central Bucks South vs. Central Bucks West @ Hatfield – 7:20 pm
Thursday (1/30/14)
North Penn vs. Central Bucks South @ Warwick – 7 pm
Abington vs. Souderton @ Hatfield – 9 pm
Friday (1/31/14)
Pennridge vs. Central Bucks East @ Warwick – 7 pm
SHSHL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Abington Ghosts
Abington captured its second conference win last week as the Ghosts defeated Pennsbury 6-4. And Abington head coach Pat Croce is not at all surprised.
“We have been competing much better the last few games,” said Croce. “We played well against Pennsbury in the game we lost (2-1), and we played well in the game we lost to Council Rock North (3-0). We have made some adjustments, and we have been playing at a higher level.
“The key has been the way we have been playing defensively as a five-man unit,” added Croce. “Our struggle most of the season has been playing team defense, and we haven’t had much of a chance to concentrate on the offensive end.”
Abington is an extremely young team that features just four seniors. The hard lessons learned this season should translate into more victories next season.
“We want to improve every shift, every period, and reinvest that improvement into next season,” said Croce. “It’s not that we have given up on this season. If we are able to win some games, you never know about the playoffs. But right now our goal is just to continue to get better each game.”
The best of the Ghosts this season have been the duo of Thomas Carroll and Jim Campbell.
“Tommy Carroll is very quick and has great awareness of the things that go on around him,” said Croce. “And Jim always seems to be around the puck, and he has the ability to create and develop for the other players.”
The Abington net has been minded by senior Cole Kramer and junior Tommy Meehan.
“Cole has been improving all season and has done well,” said Croce. “And Tommy has gotten some experience that should help us for next season.”
SHSHL National Conference Standings
Council Rock South Golden Hawks 8 3 1 17
Neshaminy Redskins 4 6 1 9
Pennsbury Falcons 4 6 1 9
Council Rock North Indians 3 7 1 7
Truman Tigers 2 8 2 6
Abington Ghosts 2 9 0 4
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL National Conference
Wednesday (1/29/14)
Council Rock South vs. Pennridge @ Hatfield – 9 pm
Thursday (1/30/14)
Council Rock North vs. Pennsbury @ Grundy – 7:20 pm
Abington vs. Souderton @ Hatfield – 9 pm
Neshaminy vs. Truman @ Grundy – 9 pm
Friday (1/31/14)
Neshaminy vs. Council Rock North @ Warwick – 8:45 pm
SHSHL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Wissahickon Trojans
Wissahickon may be in first place, but the Trojans began this season with some pretty low expectations.
“To be honest, I didn’t think we could win any games this season,” said Wissahickon head coach Mike Wolf. “I took over for Ryan McLaughlin (job transfer out of state) just two weeks before the season, and we didn’t have a goaltender. My son (Kyle) plays on the team, and the rest of the players wanted to keep the program going.
“My wife actually talked to the father of Noah Katz who played goalie on the lacrosse team,” added Wolf. “Noah said he would give it a try, and after seeing him on the ice the first time, I thought we were going to be in for a really long season.
“Noah is very athletic and has exceeded all expectations that anyone could have for him,” continued Wolf. “The players have rallied around him, and without him we really wouldn’t have been able to put a team on the ice.”
Wissahickon did return an explosive senior line that has been the most prolific scoring line in the entire SHSHL. Seniors Luke Honorowski (39 goals, 31 assists, 70 points), Dustin Rabinowitz (20-35-55), and Matt Vervlied (10-21-31) have posted some gaudy numbers this season.
“Luke is such a smooth skater that always seem to be skating downhill,” said Wolf. “And I feel that Dustin just might be the best player in the league.
“We do have a young team, though, and we have a lot of players that we are trying to develop,” continued Wolf. “And when the playoffs come – and we shorten our bench – I like our chances.”
A lot better than at the beginning of the season.
SHSHL American Conference Standings
Wissahickon Trojans 6 3 0 12
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 5 2 0 10
William Tennent Panthers 4 4 0 8
Archbishop Wood Vikings 2 2 0 4
Lansdale Catholic Crusaders 1 3 0 4
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 1 6 0 2
‘On Ice’ in the SHSHL American Conference
Thursday
William Tennent vs. Upper Moreland @ Wintersport – 7:20 pm
Suburban High School Hockey League
‘Fab Five’
1. Central Bucks East Patriots
2. Central Bucks South Titans
3. North Penn Knights
4. Council Rock South Golden Hawks
5. Souderton Indians
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