HOCKEY: Two Overtime Thrillers Highlight This Week’s APAC

Photos/Videos: Krystal Williams, Erin Holly, Gracie Cleveland, John Wilson & DE Hockey Night/412 Communications

By: JJ Michalski, Gracie Cleveland, Siobhan Nolan & John Wilson

Philadelphia Sports Digest Power Play (1/17-1/24)

The faceoffs have begun in 2022 and the familiar sounds of hockey are filling up arenas throughout the Philadelphia region.

Philadelphia Sports Digest is excited to get back to the APAC and ICSCHL circuits in 2022 as we near the beginning of the 2022 Flyers Cup and Pennsylvania State Championships.

The Flyers Cup most recently released its second set of rankings for the 2022 season, which can be viewed below. Rankings are not final and Flyers Cup seeds will not officially be selected until the completion of the regular season.

Please note that for coverage of the 2022 ICHSL season Archbishop Carroll and Pope John Paul II have combined to play under one name. Similarly, Archbishop Wood and Lansdale Catholic are unified to create Bux-Mont Catholic. In the APAC, The Hun School of Princeton has joined the league as the 5th official member.

Photo Courtesy of @TheFlyersCup

APAC Game of the Week:

The Malvern Prep Friars took to the ice late Thursday night to continue their run in leading the conference board and celebrate their seniors. The Friars welcomed current third seed, Holy Ghost Prep to their Ice line for an ambitious testament of Flyers Cup capability.

The game was physical early with players from both teams exchanging checks into the boards. After the first few minutes of game time, both teams were deadlocked on scoring the first goal of the game. Caiden Canale caught a rebound off Holy Ghost goalie, Jason Soule, to open the scoring. Two minutes later, Brian Butler paved the way for Ghost to tie the game ripping a shot from the boards. With seconds remaining in the first period, Aidan Kelly snuck one in the crease to put the Friars up by one.

The game remained tied for most of the evening. It’s increasingly common in the APAC for these teams to head into overtime as the Flyers Cup commotion ramps up. The second period, however, was slow for the two teams. Michael Holt brought the game back down to an even scoreboard for Ghost with just under five minutes to play in the second period.

The third period felt like a replay of the second with fast advancements to each goal tender’s attention and a stop on either end of the ice. To break the tension, Jimmy Jacobs piled around new Ghost goalie, Colin Mudrick, finding the back of the net as multiple defenders pushed him away from the front of the net. With a little over a minute to spare in the game, captain Sean Marshall made sure to keep the Firebirds afloat with one last goal to the game 3-3 at the end of the final period.

Malvern Prep vs. Holy Ghost Prep - Highlights by Gracie Cleveland:

Malvern Prep vs. Holy Ghost Prep- PSD Gallery by Gracie Cleveland

Both teams set to face off for a five minute three-on-three overtime to decide the contest. It went from one possession to another before Jeremy Jacobs and team braided the ice for a quick corner shot. Malvern defeated Holy Ghost Prep for the second time this season but this one in overtime with two minutes to go by a final score of 4-3.

Jeremy Jacobs scored the game-winning goal for Malvern Prep in Overtime- Video/Gracie Cleveland:

Friars captain Quinn Dougherty talks about motivation leading up to the FLyers Cup -Video/Gracie Cleveland:

ICHSL Game of the Week:

It’s never easy to be the away team. Cardinal O’Hara could feel the odds stacked against them heading into Northeast Skate Zone, the home rink of their opponent for the night, Father Judge. The bleachers were filled with the baby blue and maroon colors of the home team, with many sweatshirts sporting a large “JUDGE” emblazoned across the chest. Father Judge entered the contest with a better record of 2-0-1, compared to O’Hara’s 1-2-1.

Things started out as expected…Father Judge collected the first goal nine seconds into the game. The Crusaders jumped out to a 2-0 advantage within the first three minutes of play with goals scored by Colin Myers and Matthew Moser. There was an unmistakable style and smoothness to the Crusaders game, as they remained almost completely unfazed by any O’Hara attempts to stifle their offense. For the opening minutes of the first period, a seemingly endless streak of blue assaulted the Lions’ goal.

O’Hara was able to pull back within one goal and later tied the game as the first period came to a close. Judge had nearly double the shots on goal that O’Hara did, but a single player was responsible for four of the Lions goals—junior Luke Melito. Melito tallied the first four goals of the game for the Lions, including two second period goals and an assist. Father Judge was able to find the back of the net just once in the second period, setting up a 5-4 O’Hara lead at the ice cut.

Game Highlights & Post Game Interviews with Cardinal O'Hara's Luke Melito & Father Judge's Devon Mallon - Edited By Erin Holly, Siobhan Nolan Reporting

The game remained tied for most of the third period. Goaltender Christian Green staved off 12 of 13 shots in the final sixteen minutes of play, but it only took one for Father Judge to tie it. After calling a timeout with a little under two minutes remaining, the Crusaders worked the puck towards the net allowing Michael McDevitt to bury the game tying goal.

In overtime, it wouldn’t be leading scorer Melito that would score O’Hara’s goal just two minutes into the overtime period. That dramatic goal would come off the stick of Julian Gavin to seal the deal for the Lions, handing them the 6-5 victory.

(In the video above) Both Melito and Father Judge freshman Devon Mallon highlighted how essential their goalies were to the overall team performance, complimenting how both goalies kept their teams in the game and were a driving force behind the competitiveness on the ice. Mallon also praised the general cohesion between him and his teammates, noting that the Crusaders would take the loss in stride and pick themselves back up for their next game.

IN OTHER ICSHL NEWS…

On Monday night, Bux-Mont Catholic defeated Archbishop Ryan 4-1 in an ICHSL match-up inside the Flyers Skate Zone.

Bux-Mont opened the scoring early, tallying twice in the first period against Archbishop Ryan goaltender Dillon Gallagher. The first score came off the stick of Nick Tkach assisted by Patrick Murray. Then captain Ben Schimony found the back of the net unassisted. Schimony scored the team’s final two goals and ended the night with a hat trick, with Pat Cawley and Logan Crimlish each collecting an assist, respectively. Schimony saw the victory as a team effort on both ends of the ice.

“Good goaltending for sure, our goalie played outstanding… our forwards were clicking, our passing was pretty good, and we were able to generate offense, which led to 4 goals,” said Schimony.

Bux-Mont Catholic vs. Archbishop Ryan - Game Highlights by John Wilson:

As for Archbishop Ryan, the Raiders struggled offensively, but were able to tally a power play goal from Anthony Masino with an assist from Jake Cahill. The star of the night for Archbishop Ryan was goaltender, Dillon Gallagher, who had more than 40 saves on the night. Gallagher works hard, dedicating time prior to each game.

“I get here an hour early,” Gallagher said. “I go out and warm up by myself. I stretch and do everything I need to do to go out and have a good game.”

Post Game Interview with Archbishop Ryan goaltender Dillon Gallagher - Video/John Wilson:

Post Game INterview with Bux-Mont senior captain Ben Schimony - Video/John Wilson:

Coach's Corner...Quote of the Week:

“Our team this season has a great core of returning players that have a lot of experience playing in this league. The leadership on this team has been nothing short of phenomenal and it really is attributed to how Malvern shapes these young men. The unity and brotherhood on this team has contributed to our success, seeing the young guys step up and mature while the upperclassman lead by example. Every practice and game we have a mission and goal to achieve and thus far we have been able to stay focused and accomplish them. Overall, we know there is much more work ahead and look forward to continuing to battle to finish at the top.” - Bill Keenan, Malvern Prep (6-0 APAC)

APAC League Results Week of 1/17:

1/20 – Malvern Prep 4, Holy Ghost Prep 3 OT (Ice Line)

Malvern Prep Goals: Caiden Canale (Jeremy Jacobs), Aidan Kelly (Jimmy Jacobs, Matt Harris), Jimmy Jacobs (Unassisted), Jeremy Jacobs (Pierre Larocque)

Holy Ghost Prep: Brian Butler (Unassisted), Michael Holt (Colin Moore), Sean Marshall (Colin Moore, Ciaran Chambers)

1/21 – La Salle College High School 2, St. Joe’s Prep 1 (Skatium)

La Salle Goals: Patrick Brace (Unassisted), Keenan Schneider (Charlie Kennedy)

St. Joe’s Prep Goals: Nicholas Storti (Joseph Samango, Dante Passio)

La Salle vs. St. JOseph's Prep - Game Highlights by Krystal Williams:

La Salle vs. SJPrep - PSD Gallery by Krystal Williams

1/24 – Malvern Prep 5, La Salle College High School 4 OT (Ice Line)

Malvern Prep Goals: Matt Harris (Jimmy Jacobs), Quinn Dougherty (Matt Harris, Jimmy Jacobs), Jimmy Jacobs (Matt Harris, Pierre Larocque), Jimmy Jacobs (Pierre Larocque, Quinn Dougherty), Matt Harris (Quinn Dougherty, Jimmy Jacobs)

La Salle Goals: Dean Carvalho (Jackson Lindmar, Gavin O’Connell), Jackson Lindmar (Patrick Brace), Keenan Schneider (Christopher Wnek, Ryan Desmond), Chase Hannon (Max Maddalo)

ICSHL League Results Week of 1/17:

1/17 – Cardinal O’Hara 3, Salesianum 3 (U-Delaware)

Cardinal O’ Hara Goals: Nathan Fox (Julian Gavin), Nathan Fox (Julian Gavin), Matt Collins (Nathan Fox)

Salesianum Goals: Stanley Tuschinski (Vicenzo Varriale, Christopher Albert), Christian Kinsler (Frank Pallante), Christian Kinsler (Matthew Bellopede)

1/20 – Archbishop Carroll/Pope John Paul 10, Lower Merion 4 (Skatium)

Lower Merion Goals: Evan Gaetz (Toby Myers), Evan Gaetz (Andrew McCann), Connor Dillon (Unassisted), Jesse Ufberg (Toby Myers, Matthew Wool)

Carroll/PJP Goals: Carter Hritz (Alex Small, Jude Lightcap), Carter Hritz (Alex Small), Wesley Sweitzer (Alex Small), Carter Hritz (Wesley Sweitzer), Wesley Sweitzer (Unassisted), Wesley Sweitzer (Carter Hritz), Danny Harvey (Michael Moore), Vincent Silli (Donte Neve), Socrates Kelly (Cole Miller), Cole Miller (Alex Small)

1/21 – Salesianum 8, Roman Catholic 2 (U-Delaware)

Salesianum Goals: Logan Downs (Caelan Driggs, Christian Kinsler), Logan Downs (Christopher Albert), Logan Downs (Christian Kinsler), Logan Downs (Christopher Albert), Logan Downs (Christopher Albert), William Betterly (Eamon Schofield)

Roman Catholic Goals: Dennis Dougherty (Unassisted), Noah Direnzi (Michael Esposito)

Salesianum vs. Cardinal O'Hara - Game Highlights Courtesy of Delaware Hockey Night @DEHockeyNight:

Roman Catholic vs. Salesianum - Game Highlights Courtesy of Delaware Hockey Night @DEHockeyNight:

1/21 – Cardinal O’Hara 6, Father Judge 5 OT (Flyers Skate Zone)

Cardinal O’ Hara Goals: Luke Melito (Braedan Janson), Luke Melito (Angelo Filoramo, 6), Luke Melito (Angelo Filoramo), Luke Melito (Unassisted), 6 (Luke Melito, 26), Julian Gavin (Nathan Fox)

Father Judge Goals: Colin Myers (Michael Fontaine), Matthew Moser (Owen Sherwin), Carlos Rowland (Michael McDevitt, Colin Howell), Michael McDevitt (Matthew Moser), Michael McDevitt (Devon Mallon)

1/21 – Archbishop Ryan 3, Kennett 0 (IceWorks)

Archbishop Ryan Goals: Aronne Arehart (Patrick Foy), Anthony Masino (Aronne Arehart), Connor Lappe (Logan Roberts)

1/21 – Archbishop Carroll 5, Sun Valley 4 (Skatium)

Archbishop Carroll Goals: Vincent Silli (Connor Walmsley), Wesley Sweitzer (Danny Harvey), Cole Miller (Wesley Sweitzer), Cole Miller (Alex Small), Alex Small (Marios Dewees, Wesley Sweitzer)

Sun Valley Goals: Julian Diehl (Patrick Brees), Nate Benz (Unassisted), Julian Diehl (Hayden McGinnis), Andrew Tkacz (Avari Hahn)

1/21 – Harriton 6, Bux-Mont Catholic 2

Harriton Goals: Paolo Colavita (Unassisted), Sean Tooke (Paolo Colavita), Paolo Colavita (Remy Erdman), Ethan Solomon (Sean Tooke, Paolo Colavita), Sean Tooke (Paolo Colavita), Sean Tooke (Ethan Solomon, Paolo Colavita),

Bux-Mont Catholic Goals: Ben Schimony (Pat Cawley), Ben Schimony (Unassisted)

1/24 – Bux-Mont Catholic 4, Archbishop Ryan 1

Bux-Mont Catholic Goals: Nick Tkach (Patrick Murray), Ben Schimony (Pat Cawley), Ben Schimony (Pat Cawley), Ben Schimony (Kyle Martin, Logan Crimlish)

Archbishop Ryan Goals: Anthony Masino (Connor Lappe)

APAC Schedule Week of 1/24:

1/26 Lawrenceville @ La Salle (Hatfield 4:00 PM)

1/27 St. Joe’s Prep @ Malvern Prep (Ice Line 4:00 PM)

ICSHL Schedule Week of 1/24:

1/28 Roman Catholic @ Cardinal O’Hara (Ice Works 7:30 PM)

1/28 Bishop Shanahan @ Bux-Mont Catholic (Hatfield 7:35 PM)

1/31 Archbishop Ryan @ Bishop Shanahan (Flyers Skate Zone 6:30 PM)

*For stat corrections/team updates, please email jonathanmichalski06@gmail.com *