By: Gracie Cleveland
Photos/Videos: Donna Eckert & Gracie Cleveland
WEST CHESTER, PA – The season long goal for Malvern Prep’s ice hockey team became a reality Monday evening, as the Friars battled against the La Salle College High School Explorers in The Flyers Cup AAA championship game. After the APAC championship was postponed for the two teams due to COVID-19 protocols, this game was a bittersweet event. The Friars emerged victorious in the competition after a top of the period goal in overtime by Jimmy Jacobs, finalizing the scoreboard 4-3.
“I’m at a loss for words. (Ryan) Sambuco came down and shot it, I got the rebound, and the rest is history,” said Jacobs after the win.
Ryan Sambuco not only assisted Jacobs with the game winning goal but ignited Malvern’s offense with his knock down in net just over two minutes into the game.
With 10:15 still to go in the first period, Jack Costabile ran his usual route for the Friars. Costabile made way towards Explorer’s goaltender, Liam Gross, with a defender trailing the tips of his skates as he shifted the puck in goal behind his lead.
The Explorers kicked into gear after the Friars second goal when Jake Hannon made way to find room in Friar Anthony Perti’s goal space.
Malvern Prep vs. La Salle 2021 Flyers Cup AAA Championship Highlights & Award Ceremony by Donna Eckert:
Just when things seemed to lie in the favor of the Friars after Jeremy Jacobs put down a scoring puck from Gross’ goalie pads, the Explorers demonstrated their true adversity and eager tendencies that have progressed over the course of their season. The Explorers took ten seconds to push heavily on the Friar defense before Hannon netted another goal between the bars to bring the game back to a tie at 3-3.
With a championship on the line, both teams continued their momentum in overtime skating up and down the rink mimicking shots on goal, forcing fans and spectators to wince at every push. Sambuco has been notorious all season for the Friars for his quick-cut breakaways before slowing down in the face of the goaltender for a surprise shot. On this run around, Sambuco fell short of the goal but Jimmy Jacobs caught Gross’ loose grasp on the puck and ripped it into the corner left hand side, securing the game winning goal and Malvern’s first Flyers Cup title since 2005.
“Hats off to La Salle for a great game. We knew it was going to be a tough game. All season long we have had a resilient group of kids. We have a great group of core leadership and it was awesome to see the boys celebrate. This is what we have worked for all season long. We have one more goal to achieve Saturday, and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead,” said Malvern Prep head coach, Bill Kennan.
Post Game Interview with Malvern's Jeremy Jacobs:
Malvern's Jimmy Jacobs, talks about his OT game winning goal:
Clean, competitive and compassionate glorifies the playing efforts of the highly ranked Friars and Explorers during the 2021 Flyers Cup AAA title game. The game was a true testament, displaying each teams’ capabilities playing under anticipated pressure. The upcoming Saturday challenge that Kennan mentions will be the Pennsylvania State Championship. The Friars will head to Pittsburgh on April 24 to take on North Allegheny, the winners of the AAA Penguins Cup.
