UNDERDOGS SET TO FACE OFF IN PCL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Philadelphia Catholic League came one step closer to crowing a 2021 champion, with the semifinals wrapping up on Tuesday night. The games were hosted at Northeast Skate Zone with Roman Catholic and Salesianum playing first at 7:30 p.m., followed by Cardinal O’Hara and Father Judge at 8:30p.m.
No.1 Roman Catholic vs. No.4 Salesianum
In the early game, fourth seeded Salesianum came in as the underdog after a win by forfeit in Monday’s play-in game against DMA-Tatnall. Salesianum had defeated Roman Catholic in the last matchup between the schools on March 8. Roman Catholic was playing in its first contest in over two weeks following a shutdown due to COVID.
The game began with a goal three minutes into the contest. Johnny Lee outskated a Roman Catholic defender to a loose puck and moved the puck to Christian Kinsler. Kinsler found a wide-open Logan Downs in front of the net and Downs buried the puck top shelf to give Salesianum a 1-0 lead.
Roman Catholic was quick to answer with a strong forecheck in the game. Four minutes later, Andrew Hodolitz used the forecheck to his advantage to take the puck away in the offensive zone. Hodolitz beat Michael Manzi in goal to tie the game at one.
Salesianum on a fast break in the final minute of the first period, gave one last push against Roman’s goaltender Millard Worszylo. Kinsler stumbled upon entering the zone but was able to get a clean pass off to Downs. This time it was Lee on the scoring end of things to put Salesianum up 2-1.
Tempers began to flare in a tight game during the second period with seven total roughing penalties being dished out. Lee felt like he was able to keep Salesianum in check as the game went on.
“We showed a lot of character tonight and outplayed them,” Lee said. “Every now and then we had a temper going but calmed our teammates down and we had each other’s backs and were able to pull it out.”
Salesianum vs. Roman Catholic ICSHL PCL Semifinal Highlights by JJ Michalski:
Post Game Interview with Salesianum's Johnny Lee - by JJ Michalski
While shorthanded early in the second period, Roman Catholic was able to get a loose puck in front of Manzi. Brandon Finnimore was credited with the goal that evened up the contest at 2-2.
Things stayed physical over the next ten minutes of play but neither team could capitalize on opportunities. Roman Catholic had an opportunity on a penalty shot after Hodolitz was brought down on a breakaway. The senior was unable to convert on the shot.
Salesianum’s next best chance to score on Worszylo came with under five minutes to play before the ice cut. Kinsler and Downs worked the puck into the offensive zone with speed forcing a two on one opportunity. Kinsler moved the puck across the ice to Downs who beat Worszylo on the right side to give Salesianum a 3-2 lead. Salesianum would not give the lead back following that goal.
Salesianum came out of the locker room looking for insurance. That insurance would come off the stick of Lee with 12 minutes to play in the game. The goal was scored on the powerplay following a penalty assessed to Tyree Petteway. The goal came after a pile of bodies stacked up in the Roman goal crease. Worszylo stopped the original shot from the outside, but could not keep the puck frozen to earn a whistle and Lee tapped it in.
On the Roman Catholic bench, tempers began to flare as the closing minutes were played. Tension was released when the Cahillites brought the game to within one goal. Once again, Hodolitz had the chance to score and capitalized after receiving the pass from Noah Hillanbrand.
Salesianum sealed its trip to the PCL final with an empty net goal with 1:03 to play. Following the goal, Downs was struck by a stick thrown at him by Finnimore. Hodolitz lost his temper in the scrum of players and after arguing with the referee, was assessed a game misconduct and ejected from the game. Per ICSHL and Flyers Cup rules, the one game suspension will be served in Roman Catholic’s next game.
The Cahillites added a powerplay goal with 17 seconds to play to bring the score to 5-4. Roman Catholic was unable to find the back of the net again as the number one seed was upset. Sallies senior forward Spencer Kelly was excited about beating the number one team in the league for a second time this season.
“It means we’re the best team in the league,” Kelly said. “That’s it. That’s all I got to say.”
Post Game interview with Salesianum's Matt Bellopede - by JJ Michalski
Post Game Interview with Salesianum's Spencer Kelly - by JJ Michalski
No.2 Father Judge vs. No.3 Cardinal O’Hara
In the second game of the evening, Father Judge took on Cardinal O’Hara in a rematch the 2020 PCL Championship. The two teams also clashed in the 2018 and 2019 championship games, which both resulted in overtime wins for the Lions. Entering Tuesday the playoff series was led by the Lions four games to two. The two teams were about as evenly matched as possible this season. The Crusaders earned home ice and the higher seed after winning the season series.
The Crusaders opened the scoring beating O’Hara goaltender Ronan Marley early in the second period. Bode Pederson was guilty of interference a little over one minute into the second. Father Judge was quick to get the powerplay set up, scoring immediately from the faceoff. Matt Moser was able to win the draw and moved the puck to Joseph Lombardo. Lombardo buried the puck in the back of the net to give Father Judge a 1-0 lead. Marley was spectacular in net after that allowing just one goal on the evening facing 21 shots overall.
“It means a lot, especially with last year and us losing to them,” Marley said. “It was kind of a grudge match, so after winning this it’s a real relief off of our shoulders.”
With under five minutes to play in the second period, Cardinal O’Hara was able to get the equalizing goal. After the Lions moved puck coast to coast, Luke Melito found himself with shot on goal, which bounced wide on the rebound. Steve Graney made a lap around the net, collecting the rebound and scoring to tie the game at one.
Play continued into the third period with neither team able to break the stalemate. Father Judge saw its players begin to fatigue with about five minutes to play in the game. Senior captain Sean Ford came up with a huge block in the defensive end but skated off with an injury to his lower body. Ford’s absence was felt in the last matchup between these two teams when O’Hara came back from a three goal deficit following a penalty assessed to Ford.
Angelo Filoramo scores the game-winning goal in OT to propel Cardinal O'Hara to the ICSHL PCL Title Game:
Father Judge got its captain back on the ice and continued to battle through the final minutes of regulation. Marley continued to stand tall in his net coming up with big saves. His counterpart for Father Judge, Colin McKee, also played a tremendous game. The score was tied after regulation and things headed to overtime.
In the first overtime period, both teams came out fighting knowing a trip to the finals was on the line. Equal opportunities at both ends of the ice were staved off. Finally the game came to a close and Angelo Filoramo emerged as the hero.
About five minutes into overtime, Cardinal O’Hara recovered the puck in its defensive end and quickly broke out. Initial shots first from Nathan Fox and then Filoramo on the rebound were well defended by McKee.
Jesse Monastra gathered the puck behind the net and moved it in front for Filoramo again. After being denied a second time, Filoramo set up and received a third pass this time burying it in the top left corner.
“It was very nerve racking, it always is when you’re going into overtime,” Filoramo said. “I just wanted to keep grinding and be there when the puck gets there. It’s all just hard work.”
Cardinal O’Hara will play as the home team at Ice Line this evening in the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship on rink 3. Puck drop is currently schedule for 8:45. The Lions return to the PCL title game for a fifth straight season after matching up with Father Judge in the last three meetings. Salesianum fell to Cardinal O’Hara in last year’s PCL semifinal game. Cardinal O’Hara won both contests between the teams this season by a combined score of 4-1. Marley posted a shutout on Feb. 26 in a 1-0 victory.
Post game interview with Cardinal O'Hara's Angelo Filoramo - by JJ Michalski
Post Game interview with Cardinal O'Hara's Ronan Marley - by JJ Michalski
APAC UPDATE:
Ice Line has moved Wednesday’s Championship game from an 8 PM start time to an 8:15 PM start time. The game between Malvern Prep and La Salle will be played on rink 1 and broadcasted on the TUICE Network.
Updated ICSHL PCL Bracket - by JJ Michalski