SHSHL Flyers Cup Preview (3-6-23)

03/05/23 8:46pm Posted by editor

By GORDON GLANTZ

March Madness?

The Flyers Cup Tournament may lack in office pools, but not in the same level of excitement and anticipation in the Delaware Valley.

With SHSHL playoffs in the history books – and Abington (American) and Council Rock South (National) skating away with titles – they will be joined by league brethren for the next level, beginning on March 6 and then March 7 for first-round action.

Here is a closer look at this week’s crucial matchups:

Class A (All Games March 6)
Penncrest (8) vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh (9), Skatium, 7:00

Penncrest

  • Coached by Steve Messanti, the Falcons were 6-6 in the ICHSL’s Central Division.
  • They scored 56 goals and allowed 57
  • Jackson Wickman is the top offensive weapon

Plymouth Whitemarsh

  • 12-7-0 overall
  • 8-6-0 American
  • Scored 93 goals and allowed 59
  • The Colonials fell to Abington in the American Division championship game.
  • They are led by Matthew Flynn, who now has 51 points (28 goals, 23 assists) in 19 games. The supporting cast includes David Branigan (13 goals, 27 assists) and Dylan Novitski (19 goals, 12 assists), who scored both goals against Abington.
  • Timothy Murphy has 9 goals and 13 assists from the blue line.
  • Goalie Christopher Maslij is now 11-6 with a 3.06 goals against average and .892 save percentage.

Coach Dave Cox Says: “We have put together a pretty good tail-end of the season. While coming up short in the championship game, we are refocusing and are ready to see what we have in store for the Flyers Cup.”

Radnor (6) vs. Council Rock North (11), 6:30, Ice Line

Radnor

  • The Aces were 7-6 in the ICHSL’s Central Division, scoring 89 goals and allowing 73.
  • Andrew Knight scored 11 goals and added 6 assists.
  • Tucker Graham added 5 goals and 7 assists.

Council Rock North

  • 5-10-1 overall
  • 3-5-1 league
  • Scored 55 goals, allowed 77
  • Despite missing the SHSHL postseason, a second chance was granted by the Flyers Cup selection committee. A top-heavy attack is led by Jackson Accardi (14 goals, 6 assists), Karson Grainey (12 goals, 8 assists) and Lucas Siomos (12 goals, 4 assists).
  • Tending the twine is Ian Goldberg, who has a 4.43 goals against average and an .852 save percentage.

West Chester Rustin (2) vs. Wissahickon (15), 8:30, Ice Line

West Chester Rustin

  • The Golden Knights, coached by Rich Brown, posted an 8-3-0-1 mark in the ICHSL’s Ches-Mont Division
  • Scored 60 goals and allowed 57.
  • All eyes will be on jersey No. 2, Kevin Hudak, who had 14 goals and 6 assists in league games this season.
  • Domenic Delessandro added 6 goals and 6 assists.

Wissahickon

  • 9-7-0 overall
  • 6-6 league
  • Scored 102 goals, allowed 66
  • Despite being left out of the playoffs at the end of the regular season, the Trojans have been granted a slap shot at redemption. They are led by the Brothers Hussa, Will and Danny. Will, in 16 games has 26 goals and 7 assists. Danny, in 12 games, has 18 goals and 11 assists and plays a rugged style (55 penalty minutes). The supporting cast includes Konrad Faulk (7 goals, 14 assists), Griffin Lynch (9 goals, 12 assists), Nolan Pounds (7 goals, 14 assists), Jack Raebiger (13 goals, 5 assists) and Hudson Honeycutt (5 goals, 11 assists).
  • Goalie Fletcher Lynch is allowing 4.64 goals per game and has a.791 save percentage.
  • The key for the Trojans has been fast starts. They have outscored opponents, 81-46, in the first two periods of games this season but have skated even, 20-20, in third periods.

Class AA (All Games March 7)

Council Rock South (1) vs. Spring-Ford (16), 8:15, Grundy

Spring-Ford

  • The Rams, coached Frank Artayet, were 3-7-1-1 in the ICSHL Pioneer Division.
  • Scored 35 goals and allowed 53.

Council Rock South

  • 17-1-0-1 overall
  • 11-0-0-1 National
  • Scored 95 goals and allowed 36
  • Fresh off a National Division title, by virtue of a hard-fought 4-2 win over Pennsbury, the attack is led by Blaize Pepe (16 goals, 20 assists), Kevin Koles (14 goals, 20 assists) and Jake Weiner (21 goals, 9 assists).
  • The supporting cast includes Jeremy Rayher (8 goals, 10 assists), Chase Tovsky (7 goals, 11 assists), Gavin Nisenzon (8 goals, 6 assists), Illia Mishkin (4 goals, 10 assists) and Bobby Gilbert (7 goals, 6 assists).
  • Key defenders, in support of Koles, include Daniel Filippov (2 goals, 7 assists) and Evan Mosteller (1 goal, 5 assists).
  • Goalie Carson Lopez (15-1) – MVP of the SHSHL title game - is allowing just 1.98 goals per game and has an impressive .918 save percentage.

Pennsbury (5) vs. Abington (12), 6:15, Grundy

Pennsbury

  • 14-6-0 overall
  • 10-3-0 National
  • Scored 70 goals and allowed 50
  • The Falcons came within two goals of the National division title, dropping a 4-2 decision to Council Rock South.
  • They are led by sniper Brendan Macainsh, who has 40 goals and 20 helpers in 20 games. Andrew Falkenstein has added 8 goals and 27 assists from the blue line. Depth scoring comes from the likes of Justin Martin (16 goals, 17 assists) and Logan Doyle (11 goals, 12 assists).
  • Primary goalie Aaron McDaniel (12-6) has posted a 3.66 goals against average and a .858 save percentage.

Abington

  • 16-0-1-1 overall
  • 11-0-1-1 American
  • Scored 144 goals and allowed 45
  • Matthew Kramer has 27 goals and 19 assists in just 12 games. In only 11 games, Pat Stelacio has 21 goals and 11 assists.
  • The supporting cast includes Ian Heydt (14 goals, 23 assists), Sam Abramson (14 goals, 20 assists), Sam Paulik (18 goals, 15 assists) and Jordan Heydt (18 goals, 9 assists).
  • Additional production has come from defensemen Ryan Portner (5 goals, 12 assists), Brian Murdoch (3 goals, 11 assists) and Sean Doyle (2 goals, 6 assists).
  • Goalie Sam Nemec (11-1-1) boasts an even 3.00 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.

Coach Ken Brozowski says: “Abington is excited to be invited back to the Flyers Cup. Last year, we were happy to be in the tournament, after missing several years, and played well. This year, we are focused and plan to give Pennsbury a good game.”

Haverford (7) vs. Neshaminy (10), 7 p.m., Skatium

Haverford

  • The Fords, coached by John Povey, were 8-2-2 in the ICHSL’s Central Division.
  • Scored 60 goals and allowed 31.

Neshaminy

  • 12-6-1 overall
  • 7-4-1 National
  • Scored 78 goals and allowed 48
  • Max Gallagher leads the attack with 26 goals and 12 helpers. Others include Nolan Geria (13 goals, 17 assists) and Daniel McColgan (7 goals, 14 assists).
  • The defense is sound with Geria, Michael Knipple (2 goals, 8 assists), A.J. Dougherty (3 goals, 4 assists) and J.J. Hathaway (4 goals, 2 assists).
  • Cory Hemberger (3.06 goals against, .901 save percentage) is the goalie.

Coach Matt DeMatteo Says: “We are just looking forward to the opening game and getting back after it. It will be nice to face a new team. The Flyers Cup is always something we look forward to every year, and we’re thankful to be a part of it.”

Avon Grove (3) vs. CB East (14), 6:30, Ice Line

Avon Grove

  • Coached by Sean Cannon, The Red Devils were 9-3 in the ICHSL’s Chest-Mont Division.
  • Scored 60 goals and allowed 41
  • Nathan Grove had 6 goals and 4 assists.

CB East

  • 8-9-1 overall
  • 4-6-1 league
  • 62 goals scored, 62 allowed
  • Corey Kosick scored 19 goals in 17 games and added 12 assists. Despite battling injury, Stephen DiRugeris chipped in with 8 goals and 6 assists in 13 games.
  • The Patriots are kept in every game by goalie Matt Mangiacapre (3.58, .904).

Owen J. Roberts  (6) vs. Central Bucks South (11), 8:30, Ice Line

Owen J. Roberts

  • The Wildcats, coached by Chuck Gorman were 8-3-0-1 in the ICHSL’s Pioneer Division.
  • Scored 86 goals and allowed 52.
  • Watch out for Charles Davis, who had 20 points (8 goals, 12 assists) in six league games.

C.B. South

  • 9-8-0-1 overall
  • 6-5-0 National
  • Scored 73 goals and allowed 71
  • Aydin Thierolf remains the only double-digit goal-scorer with 15. He also leads the team with 15 helpers. The balanced supporting casts includes D.J. Lindemuth (9 goals, 11 assists), Colin Mendham (8 goals, 10 assists), Sean Cutter (7 goals, 6 assists), Adam Linso (5 goals, 7 assists), Keith Waldron (3 goals, 8 assists) and Ryan Frey (7 goals, 4 assists).
  • Linso, Matt Crouch (4 goals, 6 assists) and Jake Stepp (2 goals, 2 assists) anchor the defense.
  • Goalie Dominic Varacallo is allowing 3.79 goals per game and has an .852 save percentage.

Pennridge (2) vs. Lower Merion (15), 8:15, Hatfield

Lower Merion

  • The Aces were 7-5-1 in the ICHSL’s Central Division
  • Scored 57 goals and allowed 50.
  • They are anchored by defensemen Connor Dillon and Dylan Peterson.

Pennridge

  • 13-5-0 overall
  • 8-3-0 National
  • Scored 112 goals and allowed 71
  • The attack is spearheaded by Kevin Pico (24 goals, 27 assists), Andrew Savona (19 goals, 28 assists) and Shane Dachowski (21 goals, 14 assists).
  • Depth scoring comes from Dane Fitchett (11 goals, 7 assists), Andrew Lizak (8 goals, 5 assists) and Tyler Manto (6 goals, 6 assists).
  • The defense is led by Colin Dachowski (5 goals, 17 assists, Trey Mikiluch (1 goal, 7 assists) and Nick Young (3 assists).
  • The two Jacobs (Gilbert and Winton) share time in goal with almost identical stats. Winton is 7-2 with a 4.01 goals against average and a .844 save percentage. Gilbert is 7-2 with a 3.88 goals against average and an .860 save percentage.

 

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