April 1, 1993
All the frustration Downingtown endured this season against archrival Monsignor Bonner came to an ugly pinnacle Tuesday night when the Whippets lost their Flyers Cup semi-final game to the Friars, 4-1. The Whippets missed a chance to advance to the finals and suffered their fourth loss in six meetings with Bonner this season, the game was called with 18 seconds remaining as a brawl broke out at mid-ice. Downingtown’s Kurt Bassett initiated the fracas by wrestling down Bonner’s Mike Jacobs, allegedly in retaliation for a butt-end earlier in the game. Bassett’s brother, Scott, then joined the fray, followed by just about all the other players on the ice at the time. By the time the on-ice fighting was stopped, it had spread to the stands, and Skatium personnel tried to eject a few of the more boisterous fans. Another series of fights ensued, and police on hand quickly joined in with nightsticks and mace canisters drawn. In all, three spectators were arrested all Downingtown fans including last year’s goaltender, Ian Fallon, who graduated. Police would not name the other two arrested, saying the pair were juveniles. Such an end overshadowed what was until then a fine, fast-paced, and hard-hitting battle that had become typical between these near-equal teams. “It’s a shame the game ended like it did,” Downingtown coach John Kincade said. “But it happened, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Downingtown, which had lost the Eastern League title to Bonner only last week, appeared ready for revenge and opened the game with an aggressive style of play that temporarily threw off the Friars. “I felt it was a risk necessary to take,” Kincade said. “[If the Whippets were] to go down, we had to go down making aggressive mistakes, not passive mistakes.” The Whippets outshot Bonner, 9-4, in the period, but were unable to beat goalie Jim Bauer. The best opportunity came with Eric Metzger on a breakaway, but he hit the left post. The aggressive style of play then began to take its toll on Downingtown in the second period. With Ryan Andrew serving a stick-holding penalty, Bonner’s Anthony Vannello finally beat goalie Travis Sinden (30 saves) on a rebound. And when Scott Bassett was serving a roughing penalty two minutes later, Bonner in- increased its lead to 2-0 on Jerry DiStefano’s power-play goal. Bonner used its momentum to score again with 5:52 left in the period before Metzger ruined Bauer’s shutout bid 34 seconds later with a shot from the slot. Despite Metzger’s goal, Bonner continued to dominate play through much of the third and finally sealed it with 3:48 to play when DiStefano scored a power-play goal on a breakaway.
CLASS AA FLYERS CUP FINAL
In the Tier II portion of the Flyers Cup, Cardinal O’Hara lost its bid for the Presidents Cup by getting swept in its best-of-three final series by Father Judge. On Monday, the Lions dropped their opener, 3-2, as the Crusaders netted the winning goal with 15 seconds remaining. On Tuesday, Judge won in more convincing form, 7-1. Coach Bill Swahl’s team ended the season at 13-8-3. The Lions’ Brian Nattress earned the Presidents Cup high-scorer award with six goals and two assists, part of which came during O’Hara’s 7-2 first-round win over Boyertown last week.
CLASS A FLYERS CUP FINAL
At the Tier III level of the Flyers Cup tournament, Unionville lost its bid for a Directors Cup title by getting swept in its best-of-three final series against Pennsbury. The Indians, weakened by a game total of ten penalties, dropped Monday’s first game, 6-3. Tuesday night, Unionville took only four penalties, but the damage was there as the Falcons netted three power-play goals en route to a 4-2 win. Brian Smith and Dana Bellafiore scored for Unionville in the second game, and goaltender Dave Soroka came up with 28 saves to help keep it close. The Indians ended the season at 10-8-1.
By David T. Shaw
The Philadelphia Inquirer
