Scott Huff features Upper Dublin’s 9-5 win over Plymouth Whitemarsh in a wrap that also includes recaps of wins by Neshaminy and CB West.
BY Scott Huff
HATFIELD – The view was remarkable.
Whether you were a fan in the stands – a coach on the bench – or a player on the ice – the view was identical in Upper Dublin’s 9-5 SHSHL American Conference victory over Plymouth Whitemarsh.
The fans in the stands were treated to a splendid five-goal performance by junior goal scorer Ari Nordlinger and a magnificent performance in goal by senior Stephen Sanders who allowed just a single goal and had 21 saves over the first two periods.
And with the Flying Cardinals leading by a dominating 9-1 score after the second period, Sanders took the rest of the night off in the third period.
The coach behind the Upper Dublin bench was treated to still another outstanding performance by the duo of Nordlinger and Stephens.
“I feel very blessed to have those two players on my team,” said Upper Dublin head coach Anthony Richichi. “Both of them were on the team last year when we struggled to win three games all season, but now we have won four in a row and five for the season.
“Ari is scary good,” added Richichi. “And Stephen can be a ridiculous goalie with some of the saves that he makes.”
Nordlinger had a great look at the goalkeeper’s outstanding performance in net from center ice against a PW team that outshot the Cardinals 22-17 over the first two periods – but the Colonials still trailed by a 9-1 margin.
“Stephen is fun to play with because he can make the great save and then pass the puck to start the offense,” said Nordlinger. “And he does not get scared back there.”
Stephens had a great look at Nordlinger’s stunning center ice performance from the Cardinal goal crease.
“Ari has tremendous speed and has great playmaking ability,” said Stephens. “He gets the other players involved – it’s not all about him.”
Nordlinger – who now has scored 20 goals in just nine games this season – was the without question the best player in the ice. And Stephens – who now has 114 saves and a 5-4 record overall – was without question the best goalie on the ice.
“These players are starting to believe we are a good team,” said Richichi. “It has been exciting so far this year – and things have been looking good.
“Now we have the break over the holidays – and part of me wishes that we didn’t have that break,” added Richichi. “But we are going to get some players back from injuries – and that influx of players should make us even better.”
“If we keep it up, playoffs are definitely a possibility,” said Nordlinger. “And maybe even the Flyers Cup – maybe.”
“We have begun to develop a good chemistry on this team,” said Stephens. “And that has greatly helped us win games.”
And the view of the team – whether you are a fan, a coach, or a player - is always greatly improved when you are a winner.
NESHAMINY 8, HARRY S TRUMAN 0
Steve Glik turned away all 19 shots he faced in goal to earn the shutout while Josh Haines led the attack with a five-point night, scoring three goals and assisting on two others, to lead the Redskins to the shutout win.
Haines put the Redskins on the board midway through the first period, and Neshaminy took that 1-0 lead into the second period when the Redskins reeled off three more goals to go on top 4-0. Haines (Joey Buday/Joey DeMatteo assists) scored three minutes into the second period, and five minutes later, DeMatteo scored with assists from Haines and Derick Hahn. A goal by Billy Dougherty (Aric Miller assist) gave the Redskins their four-goal advantage.
In the third period, the Redskins scored four more unanswered goals with Thomas Gallagher accounting for three of those while Haines scored a shorthanded goal to complete his hat trick.
Harry S Truman 0-0-0 0
Neshaminy 1-3-4 8
Shots: Truman 19, Neshaminy 36
Saves: Kyle Huth (HST) 28, Steve Glik (N) 19
First Period
N – Josh Haines
Second Period
N – Josh Haines (Joey Buday/Joey DeMatteo)
N – Joey DeMatteo (Josh Haines/Derick Hahn)
N – Billy Dougherty (Aric Miller)
Third Period
N – Thomas Gallagher (Aric Miller/Joey DeMatteo)
N – Josh Haines (Joey DeMatteo)
N – Thomas Gallagher (Josh Haines)
N – Thomas Gallagher (Billy Dougherty)
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 5, PENNSBURY 1
Balance has been the name of the game for the Bucks this season, and it would have been hard for them to have a more balanced attack than the one that was on display in West’s win over the Falcons. On a night when the Bucks scored five goals, 10 of their players put their names in the scoring column.
After a scoreless opening period, the Falcons got on the scoreboard first when Jake Sieger (Cameron Polo) found the net four minutes into the second period. The Bucks had an answer, reeling off four unanswered goals in the final three minutes of the period.
Luke McCleerey (Daniel Poliak assist) scored the equalizer at the 12:57 mark, and less than a minute later, Kerrigan Soura scored a goal that turned out to be the game winner with assists from Owen Shields and Poliak. Evan Johnson (Jake Boehm assist) and Michael Samson (Matt Clark assist) also added goals to put the Bucks on top 4-0 heading into the final period. Aaron Yurigan (Joey Rockovich/Jake Boehm assists) scored the only goal of the third period.
Central Bucks West 0-4-1 5
Pennsbury 0-1-0 1
Shots: CB West 29, Pennsbury 21
Saves: Nicholas Ritz (CBW) 20, August Dous (N) 24.
First Period
None
Second Period
P – Jake Sieger (Cameron Polo)
CBW – Luke McCleerey (Daniel Poliak)
CBW – Kerrigan Soura (Owen Shields/Daniel Poliak)
CBW – Evan Johnson (Jake Boehm)
CBW – Michael Samson (Matt Clark)
Third Period
CBW – Aaron Yurigan (Joey Rockovich/Jake Boehm)
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