By Nick DeLorenzo
After being eliminated from the Flyers Cup Tournament by Washington Township two of the past three years, the Pennsbury Falcons had revenge on their minds coming into Thursday night's quarterfinal match up.
Behind strong team defense and great goaltending in the game's final minutes, the Falcons were able to "get the monkey off their back," as head coach John Bria put it, and defeat Washington Township 2-1.
From the opening face-off, it was clear that Pennsbury had come with plenty of energy, putting pressure on the Washington defense early and firing 17 first period shots. The defense was stout as well, holding Washington to just five shots and no threatening scoring chances in the frame.
Sean Harlow jammed home a rebound to put the Falcons on the scoreboard with 6:11 left in the first period, and the score remained 1-0 heading into the second.
Matt Mager scored just 2:13 into the second period to make the score 2-0, but even though Pennsbury was controlling both ends of the ice, Washington was able to stay in the game thanks to solid play from goalie Michael Stoever.
Early in the third, Washington's frustrations began to show on the ice, getting into a few scrums that resulted in game misconducts. But this proved to be a spark for Washington, as Eddie Sarin notched a shorthanded goal with just over seven minutes left in the game to cut the lead to 2-1.
After a costly penalty by Pennsbury, Washington found itself on the power play for the last 1:29 of the game, but goalie Corey Chapin (17 saves) proved to be Pennsbury's biggest penalty killer, making a handful of great saves to keep Washington off the scoreboard and doing his part in helping the Falcons advance to the semi-finals.
"I've always said that our defense is going to carry us all the way to the championship, and it starts with the goaltender," Bria said. "Corey played a phenomenal game. He made [a save] off his mask. He kept a lot of rebounds to the outside and wasn't giving them a lot of second chances. The way he was tested at the end there -- he played just phenomenal. And that's what you want. You expect your goaltender to come up big in the end."
"Our ‘D’ played great the whole game," Chapin added. "There were a couple breakdowns towards the end, but we played amazing defensively."
After letdowns in previous Flyers Cups with teams having higher seeding, Bria now feels like he's playing with house money and is relieved that his team can play without any pressure.
"All the weight’s been lifted off," Bria said. "As a coach, I grew and learned from [past experience] and some of the kids that were on those teams also learned from that. So it's making us a better team going through that experience."
Chapin, a senior who has been through the growing pains of past Flyers Cup, is also thrilled with getting over the hump.
"It's great to make up for the other years because we've had great teams and great players," Chapin said. "I don't know what happen (with those teams), but our team now has a lot of heart, so we feel we can go all the way."
If Friday night’s quarterfinal games go according to seed, Pennsbury will face off in the semi-finals against the tournament’s number one seed, Council Rock South. The Golden Hawks will take on Central Bucks South at Face-Off Circle on Friday night.
Matt Mager scored just 2:13 into the second period to make the score 2-0, but even though Pennsbury was controlling both ends of the ice, Washington was able to stay in the game thanks to solid play from goalie Michael Stoever.
Early in the third, Washington's frustrations began to show on the ice, getting into a few scrums that resulted in game misconducts. But this proved to be a spark for Washington, as Eddie Sarin notched a shorthanded goal with just over seven minutes left in the game to cut the lead to 2-1.
After a costly penalty by Pennsbury, Washington found itself on the power play for the last 1:29 of the game, but goalie Corey Chapin (17 saves) proved to be Pennsbury's biggest penalty killer, making a handful of great saves to keep Washington off the scoreboard and doing his part in helping the Falcons advance to the semi-finals.
"I've always said that our defense is going to carry us all the way to the championship, and it starts with the goaltender," Bria said. "Corey played a phenomenal game. He made [a save] off his mask. He kept a lot of rebounds to the outside and wasn't giving them a lot of second chances. The way he was tested at the end there -- he played just phenomenal. And that's what you want. You expect your goaltender to come up big in the end."
"Our ‘D’ played great the whole game," Chapin added. "There were a couple breakdowns towards the end, but we played amazing defensively."
After letdowns in previous Flyers Cups with teams having higher seeding, Bria now feels like he's playing with house money and is relieved that his team can play without any pressure.
"All the weight’s been lifted off," Bria said. "As a coach, I grew and learned from [past experience] and some of the kids that were on those teams also learned from that. So it's making us a better team going through that experience."
Chapin, a senior who has been through the growing pains of past Flyers Cup, is also thrilled with getting over the hump.
"It's great to make up for the other years because we've had great teams and great players," Chapin said. "I don't know what happen (with those teams), but our team now has a lot of heart, so we feel we can go all the way."
If Friday night’s quarterfinal games go according to seed, Pennsbury will face off in the semi-finals against the tournament’s number one seed, Council Rock South. The Golden Hawks will take on Central Bucks South at Face-Off Circle on Friday night.
Pennsbury has played its SOL National rivals tough in both matchups this season, skating to a 1-1 tie in the last meeting, which gives the Falcons plenty of reason to think that they can be the first to take down the powerhouse squad.
"It gives us a little bit of confidence that we can play with [CR South]," Bria said. "I think if we stay focused and play real good sound defense in our own zone and don't make many turnovers, our offense will take care of itself."
"They can put the puck in the net and they've been doing it all year," Bria continued. "We've got to be able to equalize it and take advantage of the mistakes that they make."
A confident goalie can be the ultimate equalizer in the playoffs, and Chapin certainly fits that mold.
"We feel we can beat [CR South]," Chapin said. "We played great that game (1-1 tie) but we feel we can get more offense on their goalie. And if we can do that, then we can win the game."
"It gives us a little bit of confidence that we can play with [CR South]," Bria said. "I think if we stay focused and play real good sound defense in our own zone and don't make many turnovers, our offense will take care of itself."
"They can put the puck in the net and they've been doing it all year," Bria continued. "We've got to be able to equalize it and take advantage of the mistakes that they make."
A confident goalie can be the ultimate equalizer in the playoffs, and Chapin certainly fits that mold.
"We feel we can beat [CR South]," Chapin said. "We played great that game (1-1 tie) but we feel we can get more offense on their goalie. And if we can do that, then we can win the game."
PENNSBURY 2, WASHINGTON TOWN SHIP 1
Pennsbury 1 1 0 2
Washington 0 0 1 1
1st period -- Sean Harlow (P) from Nick Burkhart, 8:49.
2nd period -- Matt Mager (P) from Alex Dobzanski and Erik Rinehold , 2:13.
3rd period -- Eddie Sarin (W) shorthanded, unassisted, 7:53.
Shots
Pennsbury 16 10 12 38
Washington 5 5 8 18
Pennsbury 1 1 0 2
Washington 0 0 1 1
1st period -- Sean Harlow (P) from Nick Burkhart, 8:49.
2nd period -- Matt Mager (P) from Alex Dobzanski and Erik Rinehold , 2:13.
3rd period -- Eddie Sarin (W) shorthanded, unassisted, 7:53.
Shots
Pennsbury 16 10 12 38
Washington 5 5 8 18
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