{"id":1052,"date":"2023-03-05T08:19:45","date_gmt":"2023-03-05T13:19:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flyers-cup-history.org\/?page_id=1052"},"modified":"2023-04-09T10:58:39","modified_gmt":"2023-04-09T14:58:39","slug":"lasalle-explorers-vs-st-joe-prep-hawks-march-17-2019","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/flyers-cup-history.org\/?page_id=1052","title":{"rendered":"LaSalle Explorers vs St. Joe’s Prep Hawks March 17, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"This
2019 LaSalle Explorers Class AAA Flyers Cup Champions<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Flyers Cup AAA – Championship
\nLaSalle Explorers vs St. Joe’s Prep Hawks March 17, 2019
\nPlayed at Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA<\/h2>\n

March 18, 2019<\/p>\n

Hockey Happenings – LaSalle 5, St. Joes Prep 2<\/h2>\n

By Rick Woelfel<\/p>\n

PHILADELPHIA\u2014 Sunday\u2019s Class AAA Flyers Cup final could be divided into two distinct segments; the first 6 minutes, 52 seconds and all that happened thereafter. LaSalle built a 3-0 lead over St. Joseph\u2019s Prep in the opening phase of the game. From that point on, the two Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference rivals played on more or less even terms. But the Explorers\u2019 opening surge proved decisive in a 5-2 victory before a large and enthusiastic audience at the Wells Fargo Center that gave them the Flyers Cup for the 11th time, but for the first time since 2016. \u201cWe got there because of everybody in that locker room,\u201d said LaSalle defenseman and captain Zach Baker, especially our goalkeeping. Top-seeded LaSalle (22-6) got off to a fast start be scoring on three of its first four shots. Brandon Leer, Ryan Ferry, and Michael Casey<\/a> all found the back of the net to put their team up 3-0 with 10:08 still to go in the first period, prompting St. Joseph\u2019s Prep coach David Giacomin to make a goaltender change, with Dan McGill replacing Troy Stefano. The sixth-seeded Hawks (8-17) continued to battle however. Vincent Borgesi\u2019s power-play goal with 50 seconds left in the period served notice that he and his mates weren\u2019t quite willing to relinquish their status as defending Flyers Cup champions. Andrew Centrella made it a one-goal game when he scored a power-play goal of his own, beating LaSalle netminder Aidan McCabe inside the right post at the 4:19 mark. Meantime, McGill was sharp at the other end of the ice. Heading into the third period it was still 3-2 and the result was still up for grabs.<\/p>\n

At that point, Sam Lipkin stepped up for LaSalle, making a move down the left wing and beating McGill to extend his team\u2019s lead just 38 seconds into the period. Two minutes and change later LaSalle had an apparent goal disallowed (the puck was played with a high stick) and went on to dictate play in the the third period. Ryan Sambuco finished the scoring with an empty-net goal with 1:27 remaining. \u201cA tough start,\u201d Giacomin said. \u201cWe gave up those three goals the way we did but I was proud of the way we battled back and got the game tight. Unfortunately, we didn\u2019t have the greatest start in the third period.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"This
LaSalle\u2019s Sam Lipkin in white vs St. Joseph\u2019s Prep\u2019s Dan McGill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

LaSalle coach, Wally Muehlbronner<\/a> said his team had a good attitude at the start and got it back at the start of the third period. \u201cThe message was \u2018Let\u2019s relax and let\u2019s play the way we\u2019re capable of playing,\u201d he said, \u2018and I think they did that.\u201d Casey who assisted on Lipkin\u2019s goal in addition to scoring his own, was named the tournament\u2019s Most Valuable Player. \u201cI couldn\u2019t do it without my linemates,\u201d the sophomore said. \u201cPeople behind me, coaches pushing me every shift. It\u2019s obviously something special.\u201d LaSalle will move on to the state championship game next Saturday in Pittsburgh against the Penguins Cup champion \u2026 The Explorers had a 38-22 edge in shots \u2026 Lauren Hart gave a live rendition of the national anthem prior to the opening faceoff.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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