CR South erupted for four goals in the third period to win a hard-fought game against Neshaminy. Ben Reese recaps the action. Photos provided by Keith Clemens Photography. CLICK HERE to visit the Suburban One Sports photo galleries.
By Ben Reese
WARWICK -- Joe Houk, in his years as a coach in the Suburban High School Hockey League, has had teams with players who could be called stars, players with a world of talent on the ice.
But it would almost seem that the veteran coach would prefer to have a team capable of winning rather than one or two players who could win for you.
At least that is the way it seemed after the Golden Hawks blew past Neshaminy 5-1 at Revolution Ice Gardens Wednesday night. They broke open a close 1-1 game with four goals in the third period for the victory.
"Tonight I was happy with the effort," Houk said. "I thought we did a complete effort.
"I thought we did the right things, we filled lanes -- passing lanes, shooting lanes. We blocked a lot of shots. I thought it was a total team effort which is good. Don't make mistakes."
South made very few of them. But they did force the 'Skins into numerous mistakes, especially in their own end.
"We turned too many pucks over in transition and we didn't get pucks out of the zone," said Neshaminy coach Matt DeMatteo. "When you let that team keep the puck in the zone and they sustain pressure, sooner or later, the puck's going to go into the net."
That's exactly what happened.
The Hawks kept the pressure on the Redskins’ defense, especially goalie Steve Glik, and forced them into making mistakes.
Five different South players scored goals and four different players contributed assists in addition to some of the goal-scorers.
"That's the first thing I mentioned when I got into the locker room," said Houk. "I asked if we had any multiple scorers and they all said no, we've got five different scorers.
"It's good when you get contributions from everybody. That's all different lines, too. Actually, the third line was all jayvee guys."
Andrew Stoychev, who scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the third period, appreciated the play of the younger players.
"Both our teams worked together," he said. "We saw what was happening with all our lines and we know how to play together.
"When (the jayvee players) practice with us, they get better. It gives us more time to work on what we have to work on. Once they get to our level, they can practice with us and keep up with us."
Houk did appreciate the game that Neshaminy gave his team.
"Neshaminy's much better this year than it has been in the past couple of years," he said. "Glik is a very good goaltender."
DeMatteo might not be sure which Neshaminy team is going to show up game after game.
"I didn't think we had jump in the beginning of the game," he said. "We came out flat.
"We're still evolving. I think this team is still trying to find its identity.
"We'll come out and play a team like Pennridge and we'll beat them and we'll have a good effort against them. Then we'll come out and play a team with less talent than Pennridge and we'll almost play to their level. We won't put the pedal down on them."
That proved costly for Neshaminy especially in the third period.
The two teams played a scoreless opening stanza. Both teams put five shots on goal.
It remained tied in the second period. Zach McNamee gave the 'Skins a short-lived lead at the 15:08 mark, but John Hearn tied the score just 22 seconds later.
Then came the third period. Stoychev quickly untied the game, scoring off assists from Logan Hurwitz and David Mueller only 30 seconds into the period.
The Golden Hawks sewed it up with three more goals. Bill Harrelson scored at 3:45, Cameron Schwartz at 5:01 and Kenny Duffield at 8:18.
Stoychev finished the night with a goal and two assists and Hurwitz had three assists. Also adding assists were Mueller, Jeremy Purcell, Sam Cherkassky and Julian Wagenmann.
Council Rock South 5, Neshaminy 1
Neshaminy 0 1 0 – 1
Council Rock South 0 1 4 – 5
First period: No scoring.
Second period: 1, Zach McNamee N (Brett Nelson) 15:08; 2, John Hearn CRS (Logan Hurwitz, Andrew Stoychev) 15:30.
Third period: 3, Stoychev CRS (Hurwitz, David Mueller) 0:30; 4, Bill Harrelson CRS (Jeremy Purcell) 3:45; 5, Cameron Schwartz CRS (Sam Cherkassky, Julian Wagenmann) 5:01; 6, Kenny Duffield CRS (Hurwitz, Stoychev) 8:18.
Shots: N 16, CRS 21. Saves: Steve Glik (N) 16, Jimmy Sweeney (CRS) 15.
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