Ice Hockey: Hutchinson Records Back-to-Back Shutouts

WEST CHESTER-Junior Mathew Hackmen completed the hat trick, scoring his third goal of the game with 5:46 remaining and Kyle Hutchinson turned away 11 as the Phantoms rolled over Pope John Paul II 10-0 in a mercy rule shortened game at Iceline Quad rinks Monday night.

The win elevated Phoenixville (8-5) into a first place tie with Lower Merion, who was idle, setting up a division lead showdown Friday night at the Center Ice complex in Oaks.

Hutchinson recorded his second straight shutout as the Phantoms exploded on offense, led by junior Henry Leech (2 goals, 2 assists), who passed away his hat trick opportunity on a goal by Kevin Schaefer. Leech drew defender Tom Shaffer to him and when goaltender Brendan Heller made his move toward Leech, he dished the puck to Schaeffer, who had a wide-open net.

“I’m a team guy,” said Leech. “I got to pull their goalie out to me and I saw 'Shafe' there. He would have done the same. I can’t wait for Friday. We have really been putting up some numbers lately. It should be a great battle with [Lower Merion] as it always is and Center Ice will packed with our fans, which always gets us fired up.”

Number indeed; Phoenixville gave the score writer a cramp, as Hackman (3 goals, assist), Brendan Bonner (2 goal, 2 assists) and Brian Groener (4 assists) were the game's high scorers. The Phantoms also got contributions from freshman Schaefer who scored a goal and Corey Smith with a pair of tallies. 

It is hard to imagine naming a goaltender who had just given up 10 goals as a standout, but such was the case with freshman goaltender Heller who did everything in his power to protect his net.

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. He used a quick glove and covered the puck as often as he could to give his spent defense time to catch their breaths.

“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," Ginnetti said. "It makes it hard when you have to have someone always playing back-to-back shifts. I give them all the credit in the world. They took advantage of the chances we gave them. That’s a very powerful offensive club.”

For the Phantoms, Friday will be the game they have been looking forward to all year and for Hutchinson, it will be another chance to lower his 3.96 GAA.

Pope John Paul II     0   0   0  -   0

Phoenixville             3   1   6  - 10

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

Scoring:

First period

5:46 PHX- Smith unassisted

5:17 PHX- Leech unassisted

2:37 PHX- Leech unassisted

0:26 PHX- Bonner from Groener

13:58 PHX- Hackman unassisted

10:27 PHX- Smith from Groener

10:16 PHX- Hackman from Bonner and Groener

  9:57 PHX- Bonner from Yosua and Hackman

  7:04 PHX- Schaefer from Leech and Groener

  5:46 PHX- Hackman from Bonner and Leech

Penalties

2- 5:12 -Bernstiel (PJP) crosscheck

3- 12:00 Shaffer (PJP) high stick

3- 12:00 Schwageri (PHX) high stick