Butler Toronadoes

JOHNSTOWN – Ah the War Memorial and might I add the beautifully refurbished Cambria County War Memorial and home to the Chiefs of Johnstown and ‘Old tyme hockey’ and of course, home to the 5-time Pennsylvania Class State Champions Bishop McCort Crimson Crushers, who have had their State Championship banners removed from the rafters of the War Memorial and now are posters tacked up on the wall in the lobby near the locker rooms. Maybe this is a statement of where High School Hockey is right now and that is in the lobby! So in the road less traveled this mighty story brings us back to the Rostraver Ice Garden for the 2002 Penguins Cup Semi-Final game between Serra Catholic and Freeport and the story of Nick DeCroo [Which is coincidentally, the year after I left as President of the PIHL because I saw what many of you are seeing right now, which is the dismantling of High School Hockey by the now current administration]. As a freshman, DeCroo had scored 40 + goals that season for the Yellow Jackets and led them to the promised land with a 15-5 regular season record and two playoff victories over Deer Lakes and Quaker Valley and now had a possible shot at a State Championship for a Freeport program that had never been anywhere. As the story continues, Freeport got the shaft that night at Rostraver as DeCroo, who took less than a dozen penalties all season, was whistled for four, by a ridiculous display of partial refereeing that will never be equaled and to this day was influenced heavily by members within the PIHL Brass who had ties to Serra Catholic. The result was the ice being showered with debris by the distraught Freeport fans, a few punches thrown and connected and cries of foul rung throughout Western Pennsylvania about this ugly display of sticking it to one team by officials. In fact I was threatened [and I have witnesses to attest to this] for my Game Summary by a Penguins Cup playoff committee member for my candid account of the game and I invited that person to take a shot because I would taken care of him after his first and last punch. What does this have to do with Quaker Valley and Freeport? Well, waiting in the lobby that night was good old Mr Haney, with contract in hand, in the form of a Hornets coach and for Mr Decroo, ‘Today was his lucky day!”. Why would DeCroo want to play for Freeport and enjoy his friends he grew up with and play in front of big crowds at the Belmont and possibly lead Freeport to glory, when he could come drink some ‘Kool-Aid’ and play for the Hornets. So DeCroo said goodbye to the Yellow Jackets and played 2 ½ seasons for the Hornets Midget AAA and was headed for Junior A and Division I hockey at maybe Ohio State or wherever? From reports to sources close to Pa Hockey, it is now my understanding that earlier this year didn’t make the cut at Junior A and when he was asked to return to the Hornets he supposedly declined. So this player is now ‘Road-Kill’ and he went from Freeport to the Midget AAA Hornets to Junior A to home and is possibly considering going to school maybe at Duquesne, with his old teammate Mike Bender, who stayed at Freeport and is now in year two at Duquesne. So like Jim Fuhs and Luke DeLorenzo and Matt Quigley before and after him he drank the Kool-Aid and Mr Haney got him! So DeCroo, now a would-be senior at Freeport is at a crossroads…. can he return to Freeport, who is now 7-2-0? I don’t know? This story continues as I am sitting with Mike Mastovich of the Johnstown Tribune Democrat to cover a very big hockey game between Pa Hockey # 2 ranked Quaker Valley [8-1-1] and # 4 ranked Bishop McCort [8-3-0] and before we could settle into our seats, I feel a tap on my shoulder and its Joe Delic, who played four years for the Crimson Crushers and led them to 3 Penguins Cup finals, which they could not beat then and still Class A power Serra Catholic. Joe mentioned that he is attending of all places, Duquense University and now that he has his studies underway is thinking about playing hockey at Duquesne for my old buddy Tim Bosack, who Joe and I have competed against in the Keystone State games over the past few years and is doing an outstanding job with in ACHA Division I and I recommend kids to explore if they are looking to play competitive hockey in college and want to attend a great institution. So I called Tim last night and will speak to him today about Joe and his aspirations and wouldn’t be ironic if Delic reunites with Keystone linemate Mike Bender and possibly Nick DeCroo. So Joe was taking his time off from school to watch his younger brother Justin and his Crimson Crusher teammates take on a high powered Quaker Valley team, which is in my opinion the best team in Class A in Pennsylvania behind Serra Catholic. Poor Kevin Quinn knows all about the story and can probably relate with Freeport and Nick DeCroo. The Quakers have been knocking at the Penguins Cup door for the past three seasons and the missing piece to the puzzle can’t help QV get over the top. And it probably won’t in 2004-2005, because now Furman South has taken Ben Herring’s place as the player who is playing for the Hornets missing QV games who signed Mr Haney’s contract of the ‘Road less Travelled’ and has to attend Hornets practice on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday or whenever they schedule it. South is now not only ineligible for Team Pittsburgh, which you have to play in 75% of your high school games, a Chicago Showcase rule [which I intend to write to the AHAI committee, if I see ONE player who tries out for Team Pittsburgh and breaks the rule], he is now is jeapordy of being ineligible for the Pennsylvania State Playoffs, which require 10 regular season games along with teammates and FRESHMAN Grant Scott and Tim Hall, who are also missing Quaker Valley games for Hornets practice. And its not coaching either, because Kevin Quinn, who played hockey at a higher level and knows more about hockey than the entire Hornets staff, could teach these kids a lot about hockey and frankly is probably pretty disgusted after dedicated a better part of nine years to the Quaker Valley program. So the QV JV less South less Hall less Scott less Kelly Elson, still injured took to the ice to face the Crimson Crushers before an intimate gathering of less than 60 – 70 people at the War Memorial in a rematch of a 2-1 game won by the Quakers in the first half of the season. The first period was pretty uneventful as McCort outshot Quaker 8-6. The best chance of the period came for QV at 5:23 as Crusher goaltender Ron Stenger came sliding out to play the puck and left an open net, Quaker Valley’s George Jackson couldn’t beat defenseman Paul Reilly, who made a skate save to keep the game scoreless. On to the second period and the Crimson Crushers struck first at 12:35 as Cory Mock’s wrist shot from the right point through traffic and hit something in front and found its way past Zac Zinger for a 1-0 McCort lead. Aaron Thomas and Chad James on the assist as McCort outshot QV 12-11 in the 2nd. The 3rd period had lots of action and many good chances as Zinger and Stenger looked sharp between the pipes. At McCort’s Aaron Thomas was robbed by Zac Zinger on a rebound and a diving save as Zinger was sprawled on the ice and kept it out. QV went on the power play at 12:11 but BM killed the penalty. At 6:27, the Quakers had a flurry of shots but the Crushers Ron Stenger made several nice saves, including a point blank chance on Bret McNamara after big scramble in front. At 5:54 Zinger stopped Thomas with poke check from right in front. Finally, with just 4:18 to play QV made a nice play out of the corner by Wilhelm Forster who out maneuvered Crimson Crusher defense and slid puck to George Jackson who found Bret McNamara wide open at post and scored to tie the game at one apiece. Then the drama after Zinger made a nice save on Zac Seidel to force a face-off at 1:38. On the ensuing face-off at 1:36, Chad James won draw clean to Aaron Thomas who beat Zinger on the stick side to make it 2-1 McCort and the Crimson Crushers would hold on for a big win in Johnstown. Wake up Kool-Aid drinkers………..you are missing out on your best days of High School and spending a lot of your parents money for something that can be obtained by playing for your school AND amateur hockey right here in Western Pennsylvania! Maybe Monday - Thursday should be High School and Friday - Sunday Amatuer including Travel ... what a novel idea ?

HARMARVILLE – Bethel Park has gone through the first half of the season undefeated and frankly may be a little bored as the Hawks have shreaded the competition in Class AAA in the regular season to post a 12-0-0 mark. The thing that has to concern coach Jim McVay and Hawk fans is the so-called meaningless tournaments thus far this year, where BP lost to Central Catholic 2-1 in their Invitational and then was humbled by North Allegheny 5-1 in the Pa Hockey Scholastic Showcase Director’s Cup final last week. Bethel has looked awesome at times, but will have to prove it five consecutive games in March and that is something they have accomplished and the goal of this season as they are currently ranked # 1 statewide in the Pa Hockey Elite 8 poll. Fox Chapel had a great season in 2003-2004 and returns its top players from a team that captured a division title from a year ago. So Jim Damp probably figured on having a legitimate shot at repeating that division title from a year ago and also redeeming the early exit by the Foxes from the post season. FC has struggled at times this season and watched as Plum has seized the division lead through the first half of the season and a win over Bethel Park, which would be three years in a row by my count, could put the Foxes back in the division race with a tough stretch for the Mustangs on the horizon. Bethel Park came out in the first period and dominated the game in shots with a 24-2 advantage with aggressive play and determination to take control of this contest. Justin Kreps caught their defense being a little too smug and threaded a tape-to-tape pass on the stick of Matt Quigley, who sped in on a breakaway and beat Rick McLuckie on a backhand at 9:12 for a 1-0 Foxes lead. Eric Thiessen made a couple of real nice saves including a great glove save on Adam Kaczmarek at 6:36. A combination of some real undisciplined play by Fox Chapel and possibly a phantom empress from the sky aligning with the moon put Bethel Park on a 5 on 3 power play with 6:24 left in the opening period and this would turn this contest as Bethel Park finally cracked Thiessen as Jason Hedglen took advantage of some sloppy defensive play as he beat two defenders and the Foxes goaltender on the backhand for a tie game at one apiece. The 2nd period was all Bethel Park as the Hawks out shot Fox Chapel 19-5 for a 43-7 advantage through two periods. Another 5 on 3 power play and this time it would be the relentless Conner McLean banging home a 4th or maybe 5th crack at a rebound past Thiessen and BP now had a 2-1 lead with 5:47 left in the 2nd period. Jason Hedglen nearly extended the lead to two goal when he hit the outside post with 1:20 left before the ice cut. On to the third period and Fox Chapel failed on the power play early in the period and Bethel would get their chance at 8:46 to put the game out of reach. Adam Kaczmarek deflected a Jacobus Bliek shot from the left point past Thiessen and the Hawks were now in control 3-1 with 8:28 left in regulation. The Foxes only had 11 shots on the evening to Bethel Park’s 54, but Ryan McDonald had a golden opportunity to pull FC within one, but Rick ‘Lucky’ McLuckie stoned him on a breakaway and Bethel Park went on to defeat the Foxes 3-1 before a nice crowd at Harmarville.

The 2005 Pennsylvania High School Hockey Championships will be held on Saturday March 26th in Eastern Pennsylvania. For the first time ever the 2005 Pennsylvania High School Hockey Championships will be held in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Class A - Penncrest 5 Bishop McCort 3 ***GAME SUMMARIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE*** Class AA - Peters Twp 4 Haverford High 0 ***GAME SUMMARIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE*** Class AAA - Bethel Park 4 Malvern Prep 3 ***GAME SUMMARIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE*** ......and of course Pa Hockey will be at historic Hersheypark Arena to bring you all of the action !

2005 Keystone State Final Results York City Ice Center ~ July 29,30 & 31 The Ice Hockey Competition is broken into four regions including Delaware Valley/Philadelphia [SOUTH] + Blue Moutain/Poconos [EAST] + Great Lakes/Nittany [CENTRAL] + Allegheny/Pittsburgh [WEST]. Congratulations to the Philadelphia Region [SOUTH] for capturing the 2005 Sharrer Cup for the most overall points in ALL Divisions 2005 BANTAM DIVISION Bantam East 4 Central 2 Bantam South 7 West 1 Bantam West 6 Central 2 Bantam South 3 East 2 [OT] Bantam South 9 Central 1 Bantam East 5 West 3 Gold Medal - South 3-0-0 Silver Medal - East 2-1-0 Coach ~ David Morgan Bronze Medal - West 1-2-0 Coach ~ Pete Shaffalo 2005 MIDGET DIVISION RESULTS Midget East 5 Central 2 Midget West 3 South 0 Midget West 5 Central 3 Midget South 4 East 2 Midget South 5 Central 3 Midget West 6 East 1 Gold Medal - West 3-0-0 Coach ~ Lou Biancanello Silver Medal - South 2-1-0 Coach ~ Andy Richards Bronze Medal - East 1-2-0 Coach ~ Ernie Romeo 2005 JUNIOR FEMALE RESULTS Junior Female East 10 Central 6 Junior Female South 4 West 1 Junior Female Central 7 West 4 Junior Female East 6 South 5 Junior Female South 5 Central 1 Junior Female East 8 West 3 Gold Medal - East 3-0-0 Coach ~ Jeff Good Silver Medal - South 2-1-0 Coach ~ Greg Dugan Bronze Medal - Central 1-2-0 Coach ~ Jared Pavic 2005 JUNIOR RESULTS Junior East 11 Central 0 Junior South 9 West 6 Junior West 8 Central 2 Junior South 6 East 5 Junior West 7 East 6 Junior South 13 Central 1 Gold Medal - South 3-0-0 Coach ~ Bill Weil Silver Medal - West 2-1-0 Coach ~ Jim McVay Bronze Medal - East 1-2-0 Coach ~ Mike Cleveland

Below are the results of the Ice Line Extravaganza held December 27-30, 2004 at the Ice Line in West Chester, Pa. IceLine Extravaganza ~ December 28-30, 2004 AAA Division St. Francis NY 3 University School OH 2 Loyola IL 3 Malvern Prep 1 St. Mary's NY 7 West Chester East 0 Malvern Prep 2 St. Mary's NY 4 West Chester East 1 St. Francis NY 9 University School OH 0 Loyola IL 2 St. Francis NY 3 Malvern Prep 3 Loyola IL 0 West Chester East 2 St. Mary's NY 1 University School OH 1 Semi-Finals (1st) St. Mary's NY 3 (4th) WC East 0 (2nd) St. Francis NY 3 (3rd) Loyola IL 2 AAA Final St Mary's NY 3 Buffalo NY St Francis 2 AA Division Penncrest 2 Henderson 0 Conestoga 6 Springford 5 Springfield 6 Downingtown West 2 Calvert Hall Prep MD 2 LaSalle II 0 Pennsbury 5 Haverford High 0 Neshaminy 2 Kittanning 5 Salesianum DEL 4 Monsignor Farrell NY 4 LaSalle II 3 Conestoga 1 Springford 4 Calvert Hall Prep MD 3 Downingtown West 1 Pennsbury 7 Kittanning 3 Penncrest 4 Henderson 1 Neshaminy 3 Haverford High 2 Salesianum DEL 4 Monsignor Farrell NY 2 Springfield 3 Springford 5 LaSalle II 1 Penncrest 2 Neshaminy 2 Conestoga 3 Calvert Hall Prep MD 3 Henderson 5 Kittanning 1 Salesianum DEL 7 Downingtown West 4 Springfield 5 Haverford High 0 Pennsbury 3 Monsignor Farrell NY 3 Quarter Finals (1st) Springfield 5 (8th) Conestoga 3 (2nd) Pennsbury 9 (7th) Calvert Hall Prep MD 2 (3rd) Penncrest 3 (6th) Springford 0 (4th) Salesianum DEL 4 (5th) Kittanning 3 Semi-Finals (1st) Springfield 2 (4th) Salesianum DEL 3 (3rd) Penncrest 4 (2nd) Pennsbury 0 AA Final Penncrest 4 Salesianum DEL 2 A Division Coatesville 3 Methacton 4 West Chester East II 0 Malvern Prep II 2 St. Mary's II 3 Annville-Cleona 5 Malvern Prep II 8 St. Mary's II 0 Annville-Cleona 2 Coatesville 2 Methacton 4 East II 0 Coatesville 3 Malvern Prep II 7 West Chester East II 4 Annville-Cleona 1 St. Mary's II 0 Methacton 6 Semi-Finals (1st) Malvern II 5 (4th) East II 2 (2nd) Methacton 4 (3rd) Annville-Cleona 1 A Final Methacton 5 Malvern II 4