April 15, 1990
In the early going of the Flyers Cup ice hockey tournament, it looked as though youth would not serve Malvern Prep. The Friars, who play but three seniors, lost their 19-game winning streak on a 1-0 defeat March 27 at the hands of Monsignor Bonner, which Malvern had thrashed twice previously in the Eastern League playoffs. One more loss would have meant an early exit, but the Friars bounced back to beat Central Bucks East, 9-3, last April 2, and to avenge them- selves with a 3-2 victory against Bonner last Thursday. Then the Malvern captured the title with an explosive 11-2 victory over William Tennent on Monday.
In the thick of it all was sophomore center Keith Grimley, who tied sophomore teammate Scott Haig for most points in the tournament with 16. Grimley had two goals, including the game-winner, in the crucial rematch with Bonner. In the final against Tennent, he scored another goal and had five assists. Afterward, he was named to the all-tournament team. “The big thing [against Tennent] was he won all but about three face-offs,” Malvern assistant coach Monty Lewis said. “He just made our job easier as far as controlling the puck and making the plays. Keith is more of an assist man than a setup man. He does a lot of work in corners and has a way of finding Scott open.”
At one point Monday night, Grimley’s maturity showed as he resisted an attempt by a Tennent player to bait him into a penalty. “We just ran into each other after a play,” Grimley said. “He said something, then I said something. Then he hit me, and I just laughed.”
Now, the Friars are laughing all the way to Pittsburgh, where they’ll play Upper St. Clair for the de facto state title 3 p.m. Saturday at the Civic Arena.
The original
