HOCKEY: More Statement Wins Unfold as Playoffs Loom in this Week’s APAC

Photos/Videos: Zack Beavers, Kathy Leister, JJ Michalski, Zach Reagan, Anthony Salvato & John Wilson

By: JJ Michalski & John Wilson

Philadelphia Sports Digest Power Play (1/26-2/1)

Schedules are beginning to slow down as the days of postseason play await players across the Philadelphia region. In APAC play, Malvern Prep finds themselves atop the standings with 16 points and four regulation wins, along with two overtime wins. La Salle and St. Joseph’s Prep continue to battle for the second spot. With the addition of The Hun School for 2021, the fourth edition of the Founder’s Cup will feature a third round of playoffs. La Salle College High School won the cup in 2019 and 2020. The 2021 championship game was never played as COVID postponements got in the way. Malvern Prep is the defending champions after winning the AAA Flyers Cup and Pennsylvania State Championship in 2021.

The APAC has announced this year’s playoffs will commence on February 14 with a play in game between the fourth and fifth place teams. The winner of that game will advance to the final four, which is set to be hosted at Ice Line in West Chester on February 16. Malvern Prep’s home ice will serve as the surface for the doubleheader. The Founders Cup Championship is not yet set but is slated to be played on February 23 or 24 and hosted by the highest remaining seed in the tournament. Location and time will be determined after the semifinal games are complete.

In the ICSHL, Cardinal O’Hara and Salesianum find themselves in a tie with seven points on the season. O’Hara has an extra game played, as well as an additional win this season.

Photo Courtesy of @TheFlyersCup

Salesianum is yet to lose a league game in regulation. The lone Delaware team’s loss came in overtime against Father Judge in November. The Crusaders currently sit in third place of the ICSHL PCL Division with six points. No schedule has been announced yet for the 2022 ICSHL playoffs.

The Flyers Cup most recently released its third set of rankings for the 2022 season, in the photo above. Rankings are not final and Flyers Cup seeds will not officially be selected until the completion of the regular season.

APAC Game of the Week:

The APAC game of the week features St. Joe’s Prep’s 4-2 win against Malvern Prep last Thursday night. The win came in a tight spot for the Hawks who were looking to add a win against the number one seed to not only boost confidence, but their spot in the standings.

Christian Short opened the scoring for the Hawks scoring an unassisted goal thirteen minutes into the game. His shot beat Malvern Prep’s Anthony Perti who made 21 saves on 24 shots between the pipes in the game.

The Hawks played well defensively in the game, holding the APAC’s top offense out of the goal. Goaltender Ajay White led the charge for St. Joe’s making a remarkable 47 saves of the 49 shots that he faced during the contest. St. Joe’s helped him to a 2-0 lead scoring a second goal just 22 seconds into the second period. Jeffrey Hammond buried a shot after Liam Mooney and Short helped to get the puck into the offensive end.

SJPrep vs. Malvern Prep - Highlights by Zach Reagan

The Friars outshot St. Joe’s in every period but were only able to find the back of the net in the second period. Teague Murray had some help from Hayden Campbell and Matt Barbacane to score a goal three minutes into the second period making it at 2-1 game.

Captain Jeff Hammond scored a goal & assist in win vs. Malvern - Video by Zach Reagan & Anthony Salvato:

SJP Defenseman Christian Short said he had a lucky goal - VIDEO BY ZACH REAGAN & ANTHONY SALVATO:

Ajay White's return to the net proved beneficial- VIDEO BY ZACH REAGAN & ANTHONY SALVATO:

After another five minutes of play, Joseph Samango found the back of the net with help from Hammond and Dante Passio. The goal extended St. Joe’s Prep back to two. Another five minutes of play passed and Micheal Ahearn scored the Hawks final goal of the game to make the score 4-1.

MP's Matt Harris knew the Hawks were going to come out playing tough - Video by JJ Michalski:

MP's Quinn Dougherty talks about personal preparation & adjustments going forward - Video by JJ Michalski:

In the closing minutes of the second period Matt Harris took advantage of an interference penalty. Harris took passes from Jeremy Jacobs and Quinn Dougherty to close the scoring sheet for the evening as Malvern fell to St. Joe’s Prep 4-2. The teams split the season series one game apiece after Malvern won on December 10 by a final score of 6-5.

ICHSL Game of the Week:

Bishop Shanahan trounced Archbishop Ryan 11-2 at Jefferson Health NE SkateZone in the ICSHL Game of the Week. Bishop Shanahan came out of the gates on fire, scoring five goals in the first period.

Bishop Shanahan forward Tristan Fallon opened up the game with two early goals, both unassisted, and also added another to his stat sheet in the third period.

Another star of the game was Bishop Shanahan forward Luke Tomasic, who collected four goals. He noted the quick start, good passing, and good defense as the keys to the lopsided victory and credited his pre-game routine for the way he played.

“I get focused, prepared, and confident,” Tomasic said. “I tape my stick, have a big meal before, get on the ice, and stretch.”

Bishop Shanahan’s Zachary Ruffenach and Gracie Jermyn also scored goals for the winning side. Goalie Nick Radcliffe had a stellar night in net, only allowing two goals on more than 20 shots. Jack Biruk also earned a spot on the stat sheet with an assist.

As for Archbishop Ryan, the Raiders started the game slow and could never catch up, but did manage to earn two goals, one each from Connor Lappe and Patrick Foy, both unassisted.

Bishop Shanahan vs. Archbishop Ryan Highlights - Video by John Wilson:

Luke Tomasic notes the keys to Shanahan's victory - Video by John Wilson:

Head Coach Quote of the Week:

“I’m happy with the way our team has played to this point in the season. We play in a tough division that is very tight and the competition level is high. There have been a lot of one goal games this season. Our win against Malvern Prep was proof that everybody will be in a tight competition for this year’s APAC Founder’s Cup and Flyers Cup." - David Giacomin, St. Joseph's Prep

APAC League Results Week of 1/26-2/1:

1/26 – Lawrenceville 6, La Salle 0 (Hatfield)

Lawrenceville Goals: No data available

1/27 – St. Joe’s Prep 4, Malvern Prep 2 (Ice Line)

St. Joe’s Prep Goals: Christian Short (Unassisted), Jeffrey Hammond (Liam Mooney, Christian Short), Joseph Samango (Jeffrey Hammond, Dante Passio), Micheal Ahearn (Tristan Winata, Dante Passio)

Malvern Prep Goals: Teague Murray (Hayden Campbell, Matt Barbacane), Matt Harris (Jeremy Jacobs, Quinn Dougherty)

1/31 – La Salle 5, Holy Ghost Prep 1 (Grundy)

La Salle Goals: Max Maddalo (Christopher Wnek), Christopher Wnek (Max Maddalo), Gavin O’Connell (Chase Hannon, Charlie Kennedy), Keenan Schneider (Unassisted), Max Maddalo (Keenan Schneider)

2/1 – The Hun School 2, La Salle 1 (Ice Land)

Hun School Goals: No data available

La Salle Goals: No data available

La Salle vs. Holy Ghost Prep - PSD Gallery by Kathy Leister

La Salle vs. Holy Ghost Prep - Highlights by Kathy Leister & Zack Beavers:

ICSHL League Results Week of 1/26-2/1:

1/28 Cardinal O’Hara 3, Roman Catholic 2 (Ice Works 7:30 PM)

Cardinal O’Hara Goals: Angelo Filoramo (Patrick Roney, Bode Peterson), Angelo Filoramo (Bode Peterson, Connor Pennese), Nathan Fox (Braedan Janson)

Roman Catholic Goals: Justin Anderson (Frank Scales, Brian Heim), John Lynch (Noah Hillanbrand)

1/28 Bishop Shanahan 10, Bux-Mont Catholic 4 (Hatfield 7:35 PM)

Bishop Shanahan Goals: Zachary Ruffenach (Tristan Fallon), Zachary Ruffenach (Pierce Mallon, Tristan Fallon), Zachary Ruffenach (Nate Phillis), Tristan Fallon (Mark Jermyn), Luka Tomasic (Unassisted), Jack Biruk (Luka Tomasic), Tristan Fallon (Mark Jermyn), Duncan Trofe (Jack Biruk, Luka Tomasic), Zachary Ruffenach (Unassisted), Zachary Ruffenach (Gracie Jermyn)

Bux-Mont Catholic Goals: Logan Crimlish (Ben Schimony), Ben Schimony (Pat Cawley), Pat Cawley (Unassisted), Joe McGoldrick (Ben Schimony)

1/31 Bishop Shanahan 11, Archbishop Ryan 2 (Jefferson Health Skate Zone 6:30 PM)