BY JEREMY GOODE
BRISTOL, PA--In typical fashion for the 2022-2023 Holy Ghost Prep hockey team, they turned to their seniors to capture a 3-2 overtime win against Malvern Prep. The game winning goal came off the stick of senior captain Brady Baehser.
“As soon as the puck got to my stick, I knew I could end it,” Baehser said. “As soon as I saw it go in; just an unbelievable feeling… good feeling personally and just getting the win for my team; nothing better.”
Holy Ghost Prep played catch-up twice, evening the score in the first and second periods. After Anthony Valeriote was able to draw a penalty from Malvern Prep sending Holy Ghost Prep onto the power play, Jeremy Jacobs of Malvern Prep skated the length of the rink with the puck and put one by Holy Ghost Prep goaltender Colin Mudrick with five minutes left in the first period.
Malvern Prep continued its aggressive run, as Mudrick denied a breakaway from Jimmy Jacobs forty-five seconds after Malvern Prep’s first goal. Zach Pers of Holy Ghost Prep was able to respond with a goal of his own. The senior shot the puck inches in front of the net, tying the contest at one apiece going into the second period.
The second period saw a similar pattern as the first. Less than four minutes into the period, Malvern Prep went on its own power play, and Jack Sharer regained the lead for Malvern Prep, 2-1. Holy Ghost Prep would have its own chances later. Senior Kieran Mulholland had several setup passes to teammates in front of Malvern Prep’s goal. Baehser had a few strong looks from the side of the net that were turned away by Malvern Prep goaltender Matthew Crawford.
HOLY GHOST PREP VS. MALVERN PREP. VIDEO/ JEREMY GOODE FOR PSD
After falling behind two separate times, Baehser knew his squad was still set up to make a play.
“We’re used to it, we have been down before and came back in games,” Baehser said. “Credit to our coaches and the leaders on this team in keeping everyone level-headed and knowing that we had a chance to come back.”
With five minutes left in the second period, Holy Ghost Prep was able to break through, as Baehser was able to draw a penalty on a breakaway due to slashing by Malvern Prep’s Steven Getsie. A minute and a half later, Mulholland was able to capitalize on the power play, tying the game at two all heading into the second intermission.
“I think it is important for this team to stay with our fundamentals,” Holy Ghose Prep hockey coach Gump Whiteside said. “We won a lot of faceoffs today; we work on our power plays every practice. We just have to simplify our game and get back to the fundamentals.”
The third period saw an offensive battle in both zones without a score. Holy Ghost Prep was able to control the pace and possession of the puck, keeping Malvern Prep uneasy. During the last minute and a half, Holy Ghost Prep went on another power play, looking to end the game in regulation with a last-minute goal.
Holy Ghost Prep senior Captain Brady Baehser talks about going into OT and securing the win. Video/ Jeremy Goode for PSD
Holy Ghost Prep senior Kieran Mulholland talks about team dynamics vs. Malvern Prep. Video/ Jeremy Good for PSD
An immediate faceoff win by Holy Ghost Prep allowed Baehser to put a slapshot on net 12 seconds into the power play, only to be denied by Crawford. Landon Stout was able to get a rebound in front of the net and put a shot on goal with 37 seconds left in regulation, which Crawford also saved. Stout was able to get one last shot off before the buzzer, but it sailed wide right.
Even though Holy Ghost Prep was only able to net two goals in regulation, Mulholland was not too concerned going into overtime.
“There are definitely games in which our offense is not getting the bounces,” Mulholland said. “We have a lot of depth up top and knew we just had to keep getting the puck to the net.”
Two minutes and three seconds into overtime, the Holy Ghost Prep offense finished up as Baehser scored in front of the net to secure the home win against Malvern Prep, 3-2.
“We have 11 seniors on this team, and you see how important these 11 seniors were to win this hockey game,” Whiteside said. “Really happy, Malvern is tough; they’re well coached. We just had to keep battling.”
While Holy Ghost Prep needed 53 minutes to put away Malvern Prep, Mulholland took away a lot from the scrappy win.
Holy Ghost Prep goalie Colin Mudrick. PSD photo by Kathy Leister
“When we play like a unit, no one can stop us,” Mulholland said. “The senior group has been through a lot against this Malvern team, so we really knew we needed this one.”
For Holy Ghost Prep, the team improved to 13-5 on the season and 5-1 in-conference in the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference (APAC). They will have over a week off before their next matchup with Haverford on Feb. 3.
With the win against Malvern Prep, Holy Ghost sits on top of the APAC standings. While the team has competed well in-conference, Whiteside says the team is not getting ahead of itself but is enjoying the success they have had against their closest rivals.
“It is always good to get a win, believe me I sleep a lot better, I’m a little bit more happier…” Whiteside said. “It’s great, I am just happy for these kids because they work hard all year and they deserve it.”