HOCKEY: Malvern Prevails in Shootout, O’Hara Notches Tough Victory

By: JJ Michalski & Gracie Cleveland

Photos/Videos: Gracie Cleveland, Kathy Leister, JJ Michalski, TUICE Network & Delaware Hockey Night/412 Communications

Philadelphia Sports Digest Power Play (APAC & ICSHL Update)

After weeks of cancellations and rescheduled games, this past week the high school hockey scene played all its games almost unscathed. The lone cancellation across the APAC and ICSHL was a previously rescheduled game between Malvern Prep and St. Joe’s Prep.

Entering week three of play, the APAC saw two undefeated opponents meet as Malvern Prep hosted Holy Ghost Prep. In the ICSHL Salesianum, who was recently announced as an honorary member of this year’s AAA Flyers Cup bracket, hosted Cardinal O’Hara. These games represent two of the tightest contests that we have seen during the 2021 campaign, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the four teams featured in Philadelphia Sports Digest’s Games of the Week will meet again in this year’s Flyers Cup.

APAC Game of the Week

On Wednesday Malvern Prep (3-0 APAC, 7-0 OVR) welcomed Holy Ghost Prep (2-0-1 APAC, 3-0-1 OVR) to Ice Line for an undefeated Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference (APAC) league contest. Both teams were coming into the game with a clean, three-win record.

The Friars and Firebirds were evenly matched in the game with both teams mustering 30 shots on goal. Holy Ghost Prep started the first period with an unassisted goal from Braedon Baehser five minutes into the game. The Friars scored fifteen seconds later off the stick of Jeremy Jacobs. The teams remained deadlocked throughout the rest of the first period and headed to the second tied at 1-1.

In the second period, the Friars outshot Holy Ghost 9-8. Matt Harris found himself an opportunity after two Firebirds knocked Harris down in front of an empty net. Harris was quick on his feet to receive a pass from Ryan Sambuco to boost the Friars up 2-1. Malvern Prep’s goal was the only tally in the second period.

MP vs. HGP Photos by Gracie Cleveland

Entering the third, the Friars and Firebirds worked hard, looking to preserve undefeated records. Holy Ghost Prep was aggressive, using its speed to strengthen the offensive push. Shaun Moore, tied the game 2-2 with under eight minutes to play in the game. Each shift, the Friars and Firebirds couldn’t find a weakness to outplay each other. Anthony Perti of Malvern Prep matched Firebirds goaltender Bobby Baehser, as both netminders tallied 28 saves between the pipes.

48 minutes of play weren’t enough as the game headed to overtime tied at two goals. Malvern Prep who earned a power play following a Brian Butler trip during overtime was unsuccessful with two shots on goal. Holy Ghost Prep finished the OT period without getting any shot on goal.

Overtime came to end, and the shootout began. Perti and Bobby Baesher each made saves in the first and second shootout round. The third time is the charm proved true for Malvern Prep as Jack Costabile winded down the ice with the game on his stick. The Friars forward went five-hole to beat Baesher and Holy Ghost Prep.

Jack Costabile gives Malvern Prep a 3-2 victory in a shootout - Video by Gracie Cleveland

“Perti kept us in the whole game,” Costabile said. “We have a lot to work on, but a good overall team win.”

The Friars and Firebirds will both continue to work as they progress through APAC games this season, inching closer towards the Flyers Cup. Malvern Prep will pay a visit to Holy Ghost Prep at its home rink, Grundy Area, Monday afternoon.

(Video Interviews by Gracie Cleveland)

Post Game Interview with Malvern's Ryan Sambuco

Post Game Interview with Malvern's Jack Costabile

ICSHL Game of the Week

On Friday Salesianum (2-1 OVR) hosted Cardinal O’Hara (2-1 ICSHL, 3-1 OVR) at Ice Line. The game was delayed 15 minutes due to a delay with the zamboni.

The Sallies and Lions began the game very physical. The dynamic was set early on that it would be difficult to get to the net and would be a competitive game. Cardinal O’Hara scored the only goal of the game a minute into play. Denny Anastasia got a rebound in front of the net to tally the goal, the initial shot and assist was credited to Kevin Roney.

“Basically I just got traffic out in front of the net,” Anastasia said. “I had my stick ready for the tip in. Kevin Roney shot it, I tipped it in. It was just the simple stuff, a garbage goal.”

Ronan Marley stood tall in the game for the Lions making 29 saves enroute to his first shutout of the senior’s campaign. Salesianum goaltender Michael Manzi was responsible for 28 saves on 29 shots.

“It wasn’t just me,” Marley said. “The guys played really good. The first quick goal was a big push for momentum in the game. It was a great game for everybody."

Final seconds of O'Hara vs. Salesianum - Video courtesy of Delaware Hockey Night/412 Communications

Salesianum called a timeout with 53 seconds to play in the game. Head coach of the Sallies, Brian LeBlanc, was hesitant to pull Manzi coming out of the timeout due to a faceoff just outside the blue line. Manzi left his crease for the final time in the game with 35 seconds to play but the Sallies found no success with their extra attacker. Ed Banes was happy with the production he saw from his team down the stretch.

“Our goalie stood on his head,” Banes said. “We got two points in the Catholic League and that’s all I can ask for.”

(Video Interviews by JJ Michalski)

Ronan Marley Post Game Interview

Denny Anastasia Post Game Interview

Post Game Interview with Coach Ed Banes

APAC League Results Week of 2/22

2/22 – St. Joe’s Prep, Malvern Prep PPD (Rescheduled 3/15 Ice Line 3:30 PM)

2/24 – Holy Ghost Prep 2, Malvern Prep 3 SO (Ice Line)

Holy Ghost Prep Goals: Braedon Baesher (Unassisted), Shaun Moore (Landon Stout, Sean Marshall)

Malvern Prep Goals: Jeremy Jacobs (Chris Blango), Matt Harris (Steven Getsie, Ryan Sambuco), Jack Costabile (Shootout Game Winner)

2/26 – Holy Ghost Prep 5, St. Joe’s Prep 2 (Skatium)

Holy Ghost Prep Goals: Anthony Sparo (Unassisted), Evan Mudrick (Shaun Moore ,Luke Panepresso), Landon Stout (Sean Marshall, Shaun Moore), Carlos Rodriguez Jr. (Sean Marshall, Cole Stevens), Evan Mudrick (Unassisted, EN)

St. Joe’s Prep Goals: Christian Short (Joseph Samango), Connor Burman (Dom Fantozzi)

St. Joseph's Prep vs. Holy Ghost Prep - Game Highlights by TUICE Network

ICSHL League Results Week of 2/22

2/22 – Cardinal O’Hara 2, Father Judge 4 (Grundy)

Cardinal O’Hara Goals: Steve Graney (Luke Melito, Julian Gavin), Julian Gavin (Unassisted)

Father Judge Goals: Matt Moser (Unassisted), Mike McDevitt (Matt Devine), Matt Moser (Gavin Rauch, Joe Lombardo), Matt Moser (Franklin Black, Colin Walsh)

2/22 – Archbishop Carroll 1, Radnor 5 (Skatium)

Archbishop Carroll Goals: Wesley Sweitzer (Ben Cheskin)

Radnor Goals: Andrew Knight (Tucker Graham, Colin French), Tucker Graham (Unassisted), Colin French (Tucker Graham), Andrew Knight (Justin Green), Andrew Knight (Connor Baumann)

2/22 – Salesianum 10, Archbishop Ryan 0 (Grundy)

2/26 – Cardinal O’Hara 1, Salesianum 0 (Ice Line)

Cardinal O’Hara Goals: Denny Anastasia (Kevin Roney)

2/26 – DMA-Tatnall 4, Roman Catholic 10 (Grundy)

DMA-Tatnall Goals: Andrew Henry (Aidan Danese), Andrew Henry (Unassisted), Zeke Dichiaro (Aidan Danese), Aidan Danese (Andrew Henry, Zeke Dichiaro)

Roman Catholic Goals: Andrew Hodolitz (Brennan Whittaker), Andrew Hodolitz (Brennan Whittaker), Brandon Finnimore (Brennan Whittaker), Brennan Whittaker (Andrew Mulvenna), Gavin Yeager (Noah Hillanbrand), Brennan Whittaker (Unassisted), Brennan Whittaker (Andrew Hodolitz), Gavin Yeager (Andrew Hodolitz, Taylan Weiszer), Brennan Whittaker (Tyree Petteway), Francis Scales (Evan Rauch)

2/26 – Bux-Mont Catholic 12, Archbishop Ryan 4 (Grundy)