March 29, 1999
The Eagles, La Salle II and Archbishop Ryan claimed Flyers Cup titles in their respective classes.
Mike Delfin banged home a rebound with just under four minutes remaining in overtime as Conwell- Egan edged Malvern Prep, 6-5, in the Class AAA Flyers Cup championship game last night at the First Union Spectrum. Delfin, a 6-foot senior winger who was named the game’s most valuable player, was planted in front of the net when David Sedmak’s left- side shot caromed off the pads of Malvern goalie Nicholas Nudy and slid just outside the crease. Delfin capitalized on the opportunity, slip- ping the puck into the right corner and giving the Eagles their first Flyers Cup title. “The puck just popped out front, and I pretty much had the whole net,” Delfin said. “It’s the biggest goal of my career, and maybe the easiest goal I’ve ever scored.” The Eagles will next play Meadville for the Class AAA state title on Saturday at 4:30 at the Grundy Recreation Center in Bristol Borough. The Eagles scored two goals in the game’s first 29 seconds and bolted ahead, 2-0. Junior center Brian Tet- ley, who registered a hat trick, scored eight seconds into the game, and Delfin beat Malvern starter Jeff Caruso 21 seconds later. Junior Chris Lawrence paced the Friars, providing two goals and an assist. Malvern battled back and surged in front, 4-3, early in the second period when freshman Phil McKeon turned a pass from Lawrence into a goal. C-E senior goalie Matt Cusanno, named to the all-tournament squad, stopped 45 shots. Tetley forced overtime when he broke free and scored with 27 seconds left in regulation.
“I think we showed a lot of character,” C-E coach Rich Slack said.
La Salle ll wins Class AA. The La Salle II and Archbishop Ryan ice hockey teams made improbable runs en route to winning their Flyers Cup championships.
La Salle, which had placed fourth out of six teams in the Inter-County Scholastic Hockey League’s AA Division, blanked Holy Ghost Prep, 3-0, to claim the Class AA Flyers Cup championship.
Archbishop Ryan wins Class A. Ryan, the sixth-place finisher in the Lower Bucks County Scholastic Hockey League, knocked off Springfield (Delco), 6-4, in the Class A final. The Explorers won the Class AA title by limiting the Firebirds to 16 shots, four in the third period. Junior goalie Joe Mastronardo notched the shutout and was named the game’s most valuable player. Mastronardo turned away breakaway attempts by Ghost’s Ryan Tocicki, Drew Van Osten and A.J. Friedman. Junior Jim Durkin netted two of La Salle’s three goals. Senior Steve Kazmierczak finished off the scoring in the game’s final minute. Holy Ghost junior goalie Jim Britt had a stellar outing, stopping 34 of La Salle’s 37 shots.
La Salle, coached by John Haggerty, will play Thomas Jefferson for the Class AA state championship Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Grundy. Senior Nick Steffney registered four goals, two in the first period and two in the second, to help Ryan take home the Class A championship. The game’s MVP also had assists on goals by senior Tim Devlin and junior Mark Mimmo. The Raiders struggled in the Lower Bucks league this season, posting a disappointing 10-11-3 mark. They rebounded in the Flyers Cup, beating Pennridge, 6-3, and Holy Cross (N.J.), 11-4, to reach yesterday’s final. Springfield was paced by senior Bill Scheier, who provided a second period goal and first-period assist. Ryan will meet Bishop McCort Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Grundy in the Class A state final.
Malvern Prep……3-1-1-0–4
Conwell-Egan….3-0-2-1–5
Goals: MP-Chris Lawrence 2, Joe Hooker, Brett Landrum, Phil McKeon. CE-Brian Tetley 3, Mike Delfin 2, David Sedmak.
Saves: MP-Nicholas Nudy 14, Jeff Caruso 0. CE- Matt Cusanno 45.
La Salle ll…………….1-1-1—3
Holy Ghost Prep….0-0-0–0
Goals: L-Jim Durkin 2, Steve Kazmierczak.
Saves: L-Joe Mastronardo 16; HGP-Jim Britt 34.
Springfield (D)………..2-1-1–4
Archbishop Ryan…….2-1-0–3
Goals: S-Chris Mace, Matt Clement, Bill Scheier, Ben Wood. AR-Nick Steffney 4, Tim Devlin, Mark Mimmo.
Saves: S-Jeff Postus 17. AR-Matt McCrory 30.
