Pennridge exploded for six second period goals in the Rams’ 8-3 win over Neshaminy on Thursday. To view game action photos, please visit the Photo Gallery.
By Scott Huff
Hatfield – Pennridge forward Liam Sheenhan got the message loud and clear at the first intermission of the Rams’ 8-3 Suburban High School Hockey League victory over Neshaminy in a contest played at Hatfield Ice.
“Coach (Larry Wheatley) told us at the end of the first intermission we were playing like bull (bleep),” said Sheehan as the teams had played to a 1-1 first period deadlock. “He told us that if we continued to play like that, the next practice wasn’t going to be any fun. We made some line changes throughout the game, and we began to take control of things.”
The Rams (5-2-2) had entered the game as one of the most explosive scoring teams in the SHSHL, and that reputation was on display in the second period as Pennridge scored six goals to break the contest wide open. Neshaminy (1-6-1) simply did not have the defensive capability to come up with enough stops.
“We have yet to put it together for an entire game,” said Neshaminy head coach Ray Sherno. “We had some good chances early in the game, and then Jake (Kitchenmann) breaks a skate and doesn’t come back until the third period, and (Nick) Sweeney left the game in the second period with a neck injury. The short bench really wore us down in the second half of the game.”
“We have played too many games like this one,” said Wheatley. “We always seem like we have to wait a while before we wake up.”
The wake-up call for the Rams came in the second period when PHS exploded for three goals in the span of one minute and 47 seconds. The Green and White easily preserved the 4-1 lead for the remainder of the game.
Sheehan finished the game with two goals and two assists, while Tyler Shagen also had a terrific night with two goals and three assists.
“Liam really has a great set of wheels on the ice,” said Wheatley. “He reminds me of (former Philadelphia Flyer dervish) Bob Kelly. He is all over the ice.”
“The juniors and seniors on this team feel that this should be our year,” said Shagen. “We have developed a team chemistry and love playing with each other.”
The game was competitive on the scoreboard the first period. Pennridge scored first on a goal by Justin Roberts (12:01), but the Skins countered with the game-tying goal by Dillon Richards (4:16).
The Ram detonation of Neshaminy came in the six-goal second period as Sheehan (10:40 & 4:06) and Shagen (5:22 & 1:59) each scored twice in the period. The single goal scorers for PHS were Zach Heitzenrater (9:13) and LeLand Stockman (8:53). Matt Kaleck (5:38) and Nick Verdi (2:34) scored solo goals for Neshaminy.
Pennridge scored the only goal of the third period with just 51 seconds left in the game. Matt Brown – who leads the SHSHL in scoring with 16 goals – scored that final goal for the Rams.
The best player on the ice in the final period might have been goaltender Ed Dicrecio who came on in relief for the final 15-minutes for the Skins and had 19 saves. Pennridge goalie Dustin Wexler was solid in the net for the Rams and had 19 saves over his 45 minutes of play.
“We don’t really look at league championships or playoffs right now,” said Wheatley. “Right now our focus in on Souderton, and the kids look forward to playing a team that is a natural rival.”
Scoring:
Pennridge Rams 1 6 1 - 8
Neshaminy Skins 1 2 0 - 3
First Period:
PR: Justin Roberts (Tyler Shagen) – 12:01
N: Dillon Richards (Nick Verdi & Jake Kitchenmann) – 4:16
Second Period:
PR: Liam Sheehan (Shagen & Joe Root) – 10:40
PR: Zach Heitzenrater (Chris Murphy & Sheehan) – 9:13
PR: LeLand Stockman (Roberts) – 8:53
N: Matt Kaleck (Steven Lee & Richards) – 5:38
PR: Shagen (Root & Sheehan) – 5:22
PR: Sheehan (Shagen & Steven Fite) – 4:06
N: Verdi (unassisted) – 2:34
PR: Shagen (Root) – 1:59
Third Period:
PR: Matt Brown (Murphy) – 0:51
Shots On Goal:
Pennridge Rams 9 14 20 - 43
Neshaminy Skins 7 9 6 - 22
Saves:
Pennridge – Dustin Wexler – 19 (45 minutes)
Neshaminy – Collin Mazer – 16 (30 minutes)
Ed Dicrecio – 19 (15 minutes)
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