Photos/Video: Zack Beavers
By: Cayden Steele
WEST CHESTER, PA – Malvern Prep’s pursuit to repeat as Pennsylvania 3A State Ice Hockey Champions fell short. The Friars lost 5-4 in a back-and-forth contest against Peters Township on Saturday night at Ice Line in West Chester.
At the 15:25 mark in the first period, Malvern Prep’s sophomore forward Hayden Campbell skated in front of the cage and finished his shot with authority, giving the Friars a 1-0 lead.
Peters Township’s offensive attack was ready to answer, and it started with two defenseman.
Colin Kimberling connected with Koby Ringwald at the 10:39 mark in the first period, tying the game 1-1.
The Indians never backed away from Malvern Prep’s offensive and defensive pressure. They bounced back from their mistakes and eventually took advantage of the Friars.
“We knew Peters Township was going to come out fast and come out physical throughout the game,” Malvern Prep’s coach Bill Keenan said when describing Saturday’s outcome. “It is hard, you know, after the back-and-forth right there. Some unlucky bounces. It’s hard to get the mindset there. However, you know, the boys rebounded well. The pace of the game was fast and picked up in the third (period). We couldn’t sustain pressure. It was an overall good game. I thought our guys played pretty well. We battled to the end.”
Malvern Prep’s offensive attack sliced and diced through the Indians’ defense in the first period. With 10:26 left in the first period, sophomore forward Jeremy Jacobs delivered an assist to senior forward Quinn Doughtery, giving the Friars a 2-1 lead.
The Friars’ offense put together a good performance, but the Indians’ offensive unit was slightly more effective.
At the 9:04 mark in the first period, Kimberling and forward Caleb Kovac assisted forward Camden Martin near the cage, tying the game at 2-2.
The scoring attack continued with the same group.
Kimberling and Martin assisted Kovac near the cage, giving the Indians a 3-2 lead with 4:39 left in the first period.
The Friars responded before the first period ended. Malvern Prep’s forward Caiden Canale assisted junior forward Jimmy Jacobs, tying the game up 3-3 at the conclusion of the first period.
Malvern Prep sophomore Hayden Campbell #51 scored first for the Friars in the 2022 3A state title game - PSD Photo by Zack Beavers
Malvern Prep senior Quinn Dougherty #46 celebrates after giving the Friars a 2-1 edge in the first period - PSD Photo by Zack Beavers
Malvern Prep junior Jimmy Jacobs #18 celebrates with the Friar's Faithful after one of his two goals scored during the 3A state title game - PSD Photo by Zack Beavers
In the second period, the Friars grabbed the early momentum when Doughtery found Jimmy Jacobs for his second goal of the game, giving Malvern Prep a one-point lead.
Turning Point...
The second period was an intense battle between two physical schools. Neither side could grab a full swing of momentum, but the Indians received their chance and never looked back.
The Indians were awarded a two-man advantage and capitalized on a power play with 5:50 left in the second period.
Forward William Tomko and Martin found Kimberling open for a shot and he placed the puck in the back of the net, tying the game up 4-4.
“I thought overall the turning points were their quick strikes after we scored,” Keenan said. “I thought they did a good job. That five on three hurt. That’s where they capitalized. I didn’t think it was consistent both ways, but that is beside the point. I do think that five on three really was the turning point.”
Nearly three minutes later, Kimberling connected with Tomko this time around. Tomko slapped a quick shot into the net, giving the Indians a 5-4 lead.
Malvern Prep vs. Peters Township - PA 3A State Championship Highlights by Zack Beavers:
In the third period, Malvern Prep fought hard and put ten shots on cage in a last effort to send the game to overtime, but Indians’ goaltender Nolan Hilbert stood his ground and stopped all of the Friars’ attempts.
Campbell sent a shot in front of the cage with the clock ticking down, but Indians’ forward Ben Kovac slid across the ice and blocked the shot with his body.
At the end of the game, Kimberling laid down the hammer on a few Malvern Prep players and that physicality proved to be enough to win.
Despite losing a 5-4 game in heartbreaking fashion, Malvern Prep put together a successful season from their perspectives, winning both the APAC Championship and 3A Flyers Cup, and are proud of their results.
“What they have done this season is still an accomplishment,” Keenan said. “Obviously, we did not get the ultimate goal here of states. To win a Flyers Cup is very hard, especially in our league and division. So, that was a success. Unfortunately, we could not get the states here, but we will make adjustments in the offseason and hopefully we will be back here in the near future."
