High school ice hockey: Shorthanded Golden Panthers working together through first season

It seems odd that in a 10-0 mercy rule shortened game that the standout player of the game would be the goaltender, but such a statement could not ring more true than Monday night at the Iceline Quad Rinks in West Chester.

Pope John Paul II may have dropped the contest to division and Pac-10 rival Phoenixville, but freshman goaltender Brendan Heller did everything in his power to protect his net.

The Golden Panthers (0-12-0) trailed by a four-goal margin heading into the final period, where due to an in injury shortened bench they just simply ran out of gas.

“It’s tough when you have a lot of injuries,” said PJP2 head coach James Ginnetti.  

“We had more players but this has been a rough season for injuries, it makes it hard when you have to have some one always playing back to back shifts.”

Heller faced 37 shots in all and during the third period, did his best Patrick Roy impression, stoning the Phantoms snipers on at least six prime scoring chances, with a quick glove and covering the puck as often as he could to give his spent defense time to catch their breaths.

“I have total confidence in my defense," said Heller. "When we’re short like tonight, I know I am going to face a lot of shots. I just have to do what I can to help them. They have played incredibly hard in front of me all year, and our communication has improved so much.”

In the special environment that surrounds hockey clubs, chemistry and camaraderie are large components. In most cases, assembling a team comprised of two groups of kids who never played together would present challenges. In their first year as a squad, the Golden Panthers have managed to avoid that scenario and have become a very tight group.

“I think it’s been great for all of us,” said senior Anthony Chiaravalloti or “Chevy” as his teammates refer to him. “We have all gotten along very well right from the start of the season; we have a great group of guys that love to play hockey. I didn’t know at first how they would greet me, being the only guy left from the Kenrick squad, but I love these guys. ”

“It’s all about these kids,” said Coach Bryan Cassey, who had coached with Ginnetti for 10 years at St. Pius X. “Some of these kids were beginners and just getting used to being on the ice when the season started. They have worked very hard, and now we have kids out there with some real hockey skills. Jimmy and I are very proud of them.”

Pope John Paul II started the season in a division that was above their skill level. However, since they have entered the appropriate division, they have made strides to being a very successful team. If only the injury bug could stop visiting their bench.

Entering the third period trailing 4-0, the Golden Panthers got caught out of position on more than one occasion, putting them in odd man rush situations and allowing the Phantoms to set up shop at the blue line and have repeated rebound opportunities after Heller was able to calmly make the initial save. A situation that Golden Panthers fans have seen far too frequently throughout the year; although through the growing pains, PJP2 has remained composed as they were only whistled for two minor penalties.

“He (Heller) is very cool back there,” said Ginnetti. “It’s easy to forget he is just a freshman. The kids love playing in front of him, and he never gets down on any one who makes a mistake defensively, which is what you need in you goaltender. You could see it tonight; he never quits on the team, ever.”

“I think we need to do a better job staying in our positions,” added Chevy. “Sometimes we get too caught up chasing the puck in our own end, and it has cost us a bunch of goals. We are working on it in practice, and if we can started sticking with it in games, we will get some wins.”

 The future of the program look quite bright indeed as the Golden Panthers get more experience playing together, the quicker some well-earned victories will come led by Joe Mammana, who is among the leagues scoring leaders with 10 goals and four assists and Blaise Kilroy (9 goals, 5 assists).

PJP2 had also seen major contributions by James Kelly (6 goals, 3 assists), Cole Bernstiel (3 goals, 5 assists) and defenseman Tom Shaffer with four assists.

Pope John Paul II     0   0   0  -   0

Phoenixville             3   1   6  - 10

Shots on goal- Phoenixville-  37,  Pope John Paul II – 11