WEST CHESTER, PA – St. Joe’s Prep hockey’s historic Flyers Cup victory meant they had one more step, facing the winner of the Penguins Cup in the AAA state championship game. This pitted St. Joes against Seneca Valley in an unprecedented matchup for the organization.
AAA PA State Championship - SJP vs. Seneca Valley Highlight Video - by Matt Maratea
The game was scheduled for 4:00p.m. on a springy Saturday afternoon at Ice Line but was delayed nearly an hour and a half thanks to the thrilling AA final, which needed several periods of overtime to decide a winner. Despite this, St. Joe’s Prep was ready. Just 42 seconds into the game Marc Colavita slammed home an early rebound from Ronan Egan and Tyler Black.
The Prep didn’t ease back on the throttle and took advantage of the Raiders early penalties. Tyler Boucher jumped on a loose puck, picked his spot and put home an unassisted power play goal. The Hawks kept up the momentum and ended the period leading in shots 12 to 4 and sporting a 2-0 lead.
The delayed start looked to have taken a toll on Seneca Valley. St. Joe’s Prep head coach Dave Giacomin praised his players readiness for the first period.
“We were awfully motivated,” said Giacomin. “It’s not every day you get to compete for a state title, so our guys were ready.”
Senior captain Tyler Black also commented on the late start.
“It was tough to start off like that,” said Black. “But we all got going, we got each other up.”
That motivation was enough to keep the Hawk’s momentum consistent.
The start of the second period was all Prep. Seneca Valley tried to break through by peppering junior goalie Troy Stefano with shots late in the period. Stefano held strong and kept the Prep’s lead at 2 going into the third.
The game was a physical one, with both teams trading hits and penalties. The Prep only converting one of their power plays but was able to use their man advantages to keep the puck penned in the Seneca end. They also dealt the most emphatic hit of the evening as Nicolas Ciampitti separated the Raider from his stick and sent him sliding across the zone.
Post Interviews with SJP Seniors: #26 Nicholas Urbani, #18 Tyler Black, #12 Conor Ryan & #87 Marc Colavita
SJP Head Coach Dave Giacomin talks about the Hawk's first-ever state championship title:
St. Joe’s Prep sprung back to life in the third with Marc Colavita stealing a puck in the defensive zone early in the period, racing the length of the ice and throwing a backhand into the net. Less than a minute later, on the penalty kill, Conor Ryan took a lead pass into the Raiders end, pulled up and hit a racing Colavita who again beat the goalie, completing the hat trick and the scoring. The Prep held on to win the game 4-0.
47 Photos of 3A State Championship Game & Award Ceremony by Matt Maratea
2018 3A State Championship - PSD Photos by Matt Maratea
This is the first state championship for the Hawks and a definite statement win for the program.
“It has been something that has been building for the last four years. We have gotten better and better and better and hopefully going forward will propel us as one of the elite teams,” said Giacomin.
Senior Nicholas Urbani offered some words of advice for current and future teammates about this season’s journey.
“Work as a team, work hard, play together as one, that’s all you’ve got to do,” said Urbani.
When asked about what this championship meant for his graduating seniors, Giacomin said, “This is the greatest feeling in the world.”
As the victory celebration continued for fans, parents and players, Giacomin’s words were quite evident!