Bisop Canevin Falls 5-2 in PA Cup Class AA State Finals

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, March 22, 2014 | 7:07 PM

In the AA Pennsylvania Cup Hockey High School championships at Pegula Arena at Penn State University the Central Bucks South Titans defeat the Biship Canevin Crusaders by a score of 5-2. It is the first state hockey title and only the second state title in any sport for the school in only its 10th year of existence.

Early on in the first period it was a defensive battle. Both teams were cautious on offense, and concentrated on stopping the other team. Both goalies, Nikita Meskin for Canevin , and Aaron King for CB South made big saves early to keep the game scoreless. At the half way mark of the period Canevin would go on a two man power play advantage. They banged in a goal early on in the power play, but no goal was called immediately by the referee. A high stick was used to bat in the puck, and South killed the penalty to keep it scoreless. It took a while but the first goal was scored by the Titans at 15:10. Brendan Clements took advantage of a Crusader turnover on the power play, and put the puck high over the right shoulder of Meskin to make it 1-0. It was a short handed goal.The period would end with South out shooting Canevin 9-6.

Into period two the Titans played suffocating defense, and consistently took Canevin out of their comfort zone of high octane offense. AT the 5:52 mark the Crusaders would tie the score at 1-1. Randy Unger the teams leading scorer wristed  a power play goal from the left circle over the left arm of King. The tie game was short lived as South would go up 2-1 on a goal at 6:05 by Michael Pilla. The senior pounced on a loose puck in the slot to give his team the lead. Canevin would go on the power play again but fail to score and were out shot again in the period 11-8.

Early in period three the Titans would go up 3-1 as Leo Flick the teams top point producer in the playoffs would score just :55 second into the period. He took a loose puck in front and top shelfed a wrist shot to give his team a three goal lead. With  a two goal deficit the Crusaders would not die and in less than a minute at the 1:42 mark they would score to make it 3-2. Liam Walsh jammed in a loose puck at the right of the goal crease to give  Canevin a much needed boost. Play was even for the next six minutes as both teams had chances. No one would score until a Canevin penalty mid way thru the period would end in a Titan power play goal. Leo Flick would score his second goal of the game to give CB South a 4-2 lead. This took the wind out of the Crusaders sails and they lost any momentum they had. South would end the scoring at 10:19 as Mike Lucas scored on a wrist shot from the right circle as he put it past a stunned Meskin in net.  The Titans would continue their smothering defense for the remainder of the game to give the Titans the AA state title.

For Central Bucks South it was a well earned victory as they improve their record to 19-3-1 on the season. They played a strong defensive game, with quick out let passes from their defensive zone, they hit the net hard, and battled for loose pucks with vigor. At every opportunity they took shots and put pucks on net. The Crusaders end their season at 23-3. They hold their heads high with a Penguin Cup  title and one of the best seasons in school history. But for this day they would have to settle for second best in the state.

Score by Periods:
Central Bucks South : 1 – 1 – 3 = 5
Bishop Canevin : 0 – 1 – 1 = 2

Bladerunners Scoring Summary:

1st Period:
Central Bucks South – Brenden Clements (Tom Liberta) 15:10 (SHG)

2nd Period:
Bishop Canevin AA – Randy Unger (Garrett Godlewski, Alec Bosnic) 5:52 (PPG)
Central Bucks South – Mike Pilla (Damon Delaurentis, Leo Flick) 6:05

3rd Period:
Central Bucks South – Flick (Liberta) 0:55
Bishop Canevin AA – Liam Walsh (Jason Bilski) 1:42
Central Bucks South – Flick (Delaurentis, Brandon Spognardi) 8:29 (PPG)
Central Bucks South – Mike Lucas (Jake Kelinson) 10:19

Shots on Goal:
Central Bucks South :  9 – 11 – 10 = 30
Bishop Canevin :  6 – 8 – 9 = 23

Mt. Lebanon Ice Arena Play of the Game:
Leading 3-2, Leo Flick scores his second goal of the game for Central Bucks South on a power play to give the Titans a 2 goal lead in the third period.

Management Science Associates Three Stars of the Game:
#3 – Randy Unger (Bishop Canevin) – 1 Goal
#2 – Aaron King (Central Bucks South) – 21 Saves
#1 – LEO FLICK (Central Bucks South) – 2 Goals, 1 Assist

Power Plays:     
Central Bucks South (1-2)                             Bishop Canevin (1-6)

Goalies:
Central Bucks South – Aaron King (23 Shots – 21 Saves) Bishop Canevin – Nikita Meskin (30 Shots – 25 Saves)

Tags: Bishop Canevin