TEAM NEWS

November - December 2011

Over the Thanksgiving holiday the boys competed in the Silver Sticks tournament at Ice Line in West Chester where the boys secured the #1 seed in the Squirt A division with the following outcomes:

4 to 1 win over NJ Admirals

5 to 2 win over Green Machine Ice Cats

4 to 0 win over Wissahickon

7 to 1 win over NYC Cyclones

8 to 3 win over Glaciers

5 to 3 loss to Cap City Vipers

In the championship game the boys suffered a tough loss to a very well coached and talented Cap City Vipers team.  Since Silver Sticks, the boys have focused their efforts on securing the top spot in the SQ. A Division of the DVHL.  On 12/3 the boys played a very skilled and determined Wissahickon team which resulted in a very tough hard fought 5 to 3 win at Wissahickon.  During the following  weekend the boys collectively outscored the 02 AAA Little Flyers and Lehigh Valley Flames 18 to 2.  It is safe to say that the scores of those games did not indicate how challenging and competitive the two games were, as both teams are talented and improving with each game.  The highlight matchup of December was a league game against the Glaciers, the only other undefeated team in the DVHL Squirt A division.  The much anticipated matchup did not disappoint as the game was played on 12/18 and was the final game heading into the winter holiday break.  As expected, the game was very challenging with fast paced action and great scoring chances in both ends of the ice.  In the end it was the exceptional goaltending of Aiden McCabe along with a tremendous defensive effort from all players that  led to a hard-fought 4 to 2 win.  The win placed the boys alone in first place of the DVHL Squirt A division with a 12-0 record.

On 12/27 the six “03” birth-year players on the team were invited up to Mennen, NJ to play a 3 vs. 3 cross ice tournament hosted by the New Jersey Colonials.  This tournament is known to be very competitive with highly skilled players competing for top honors of their birth year age bracket.  The boys  had a great day of hockey on the 27^th:

Game 1 victory 14 to 4

Game 2 victory 9 to 2

Game 3 victory 19 to 5

Championship game 10 to 2

All the games featured highly skilled 03 birth-year players along with some tremendous goaltending from both Tommy Boyle and the NJ Colonials goaltender!  It was a nice change of pace to play in a cross ice “ADM” environment which allowed for many “touches” for all kids along with some exceptional passing plays from all teams in tournament.  The boys had a fun day of hockey and appreciate the New Jersey Colonials extending the invitation to compete in their tournament.

Looking ahead, the boys get back to it with what is anticipated to be a very tough non league game against the West Chester Vipers Saturday 1/7/12 in West Chester county NY.  Additionally there are 6 very tough league games scheduled for the remainder of the DVHL season and the boys know they will have to be at their very best to accomplish their goals.

3v3	Silver Sticks

Provided by David Donato

October 10, 2011
During the Columbus Day weekend the boys enjoyed two great days of hockey playing 3 games and going 2-0-1.   On Saturday the team went on the road to play a very competitive Bowie Bruins AA team in Bowie, MD.  The game was fast paced with thrilling action in both ends of the Ice.  Entering the third period the boys had their backs against the wall down 2 nothing – but thanks to great team passing out
of the defensive zone and resiliency on behalf of the team - the boys scored 2 goals in the 3^rd period and nearly won the game with little time remaining on the clock.  It was a very exciting game and well worth the drive down to Bowie on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.  Aiden McCabe was outstanding in goal facing 22 shots and providing the team with the chance to have a “comeback” and tie the game.  On Sunday the boys had their first league game of the new season facing the Royal Berks Battalion.  After a slow start to the game the boys kicked into gear in the 3^rd period scoring 5 unanswered goals on the way to a 6 to 1 victory and once again all 6 forwards contributing with points in the win. The game saw great goaltending from both teams- as the boys outshot the Battalion 36 to 15 and the Battalion played a very strong game defensively and had some high quality scoring opportunities on Aiden “The Magician” McCabe.  After a filling breakfast  at Bob Evan’s restaurant- the team traveled up the road to play the Berks Bruins Squirt AA team for the 3^rd time already in this young season.  As always, the game did not disappoint with tremendous action up and down the Ice.  The pace of the game was swift with good physical play from both teams and high quality scoring chances happening regularly for both teams throughout the game.  The boys jumped out to a 1 nothing lead in the first period, shots were equal at 8 for each team.  During the 2^nd period the Bruins attacked ferociously- scoring 3 2^nd period goals while the boys were equally impressive scoring 3 goals for themselves.  In the third period the boys outshot the Bruins 11 to 5 – but as we have come to learn, the Bruins do not stop playing, as they scored a goal with the extra attacker on the Ice to make things interesting with only 15 seconds left to play.  It was a frantic pace of play for the last 15 seconds of the game but the boys were able to come away with a well earned 5 to 4 victory.  The win capped a tremendous weekend of hockey for the boys.  The coaching staff would like to thank the parents of the Squirt A team for their dedication and support.
Provided by Dave Donato

September 16-18, 2011

Over the weekend the SQ. A team continued their very successful start to the season with wins over both the JR. Flyers 02 AAA team and the Berks Bruins AA team.  In the first game against the Jr. Flyers the boys had a very strong start to the game taking a commanding 4 to 1 first period lead en route to a decisive 9 to 2 victory.  Aiden McCabe was strong in net stopping 16 of 18 shots.  The defense did an outstanding job of moving the puck out of their zone and up to the forwards for a quick transition from defense to offense.  The offensive was difficult -if not impossible to stop with all 6 forwards recording at least one point in the game.  On Sunday the team played a physical game at home against the Independent Berks Bruins and came away with a well earned 5 to 1 victory.  Once again the boys started strong outshooting the Bruins 12 to 2 in the first period.  During the 2^nd and the 3^rd periods the 3 man defense of Jake Stasyk, Drew Gibson, and Tommy Boyle did a tremendous job of keeping several power plays by the Bruins contained while the penalty killing efforts of the forwards helped limit the Bruins to 6 shots in the 2^nd period and 7 shots in the 3^rd period.  Aiden McCabe was outstanding in goal- nearly pulling off a shutout in the hard earned victory.  Next up on the schedule is the Mercer Chiefs Squirt A team for a home/home matchup 9/24 & 9/25.

Provided by Dave Donato

September 2-5, 2011

Over the Labor Day weekend the Squirt A team participated in a challenging tournament at Ice Works and emerged as tournament champions. The team went a perfect 5 and 0 while outscoring the competition by a margin of 20 to 9.  The team was led by goaltender Aiden McCabe and a very strong defensive effort from Tommy Boyle, Drew Gibson, Isaac Singer, and Jake Stasyk.  A consistent offensive attack involved all 6 forwards (Adam Friedman, Gordie Delano, Kenny Connors, Alex Moeller, Sammy Lipkin, and Will Donato) who contributed throughout the tournament both in the offensive zone and defensively through relentless back-checking.  This is the 2nd weekend in a row members of the Squirt A team have been able to win a tournament championship improving their record to 9 and 0. The squirt A team would like to thank the coaching staff (Mike Moeller, Nick Stasyk, and Kerry Lipkin) for their commitment and dedication to the team.

Provided by Dave Donato

The Valley Forge Colonials took a hybrid AA/A team to York this weekend and won!  We went 4 and 0. 

All kids played great and it was a great way to kick off the season.

Provided by Dave Donato