Insight provided by TJ Fasnacht (LebCoSports Hockey Contributor)
The three county programs compete as club teams in the Central Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League (CPIHL). Due to the club status of these organization, the teams have the ability to pull from areas that would not otherwise fall within their school district.
Annville-Cleona Dutchmen Ice Hockey
Viola Division of the CPIHL
Current Record: 2-8-1; 9th place
Season Goals by Period: 1st – 10 / 2nd – 13 / 3rd – 7 / Total – 30
Last 5 Games: LLLLW
-
- 12/7: Twin Valley 6, Annville-Cleona 1
- 12/9: Central York 9, Annville-Cleona 1
- 12/12: Warwick 6, Annville-Cleona 5 (OTL)
- 12/16: Susquehanna 7, Annville-Cleona 2
- 12/23: Annville-Cleona 5, Hershey 3
Season Update: Since the last update, Annville has played three games and has collected three points winning one, losing one, and suffering an overtime loss. In the first two games, the Dutchmen gave up late goals that led to the losses. However, this team showed a level of grit when they hit the ice to play Hershey on December 23rd. Trailing 3-1 midway through the 2nd period, Annville began a scoring frenzy that Hershey could not match, eventually netting four unanswered. Beyond the offense putting it together, heavily influencing this outcome was goalkeeper Peyton Renninger who saved 30 of the 33 shots that were put on net.
Over the last three games, several offensive players have stepped up to make Annville more competitive. Zander Meily added three to his team leading goal total, giving him nine on the season. Dylan Musser added three assists, giving him five on the season to go with three goals of his own. Also getting in on the action was Zachary Frentz who scored two goals (6 total) and tallied his first assist of the season. In the game against Hershey, Logan Francis scored his first goal of the season and was also credited with an assist. With seven games remaining, the Dutchmen are hoping they can build on this momentum and learn from some of their earlier mistakes to move up in the standings before the season comes to an end.
Cedar Crest Falcons Ice Hockey
Bears Division of the CPIHL
Current Record: 5-6; 6th place
Season Goals by Period: 1st – 20 / 2nd – 17 / 3rd – 11 / Total – 48
Last 5 Games: LLLWW
-
- 12/2: Hempfield/Manheim Township 9, Cedar Crest 5
- 12/7: Lower Dauphin 6, Cedar Crest 2
- 12/16: Exeter/Gov Mifflin/Wilson 7, Cedar Crest 5
- 12/19: Cedar Crest 6, Elizabethtown/Middletown 3
- 12/21: Cedar Crest 6, Cumberland Valley 1
Season Update: This Cedar Crest unit hit a rough patch this season after starting the season with a 3-1 record. They went on to lose five in a row and were quickly falling in the standings. This losing streak included a loss to the Exeter group they had defeated for their first victory of the season. However, this Falcon team has shown resiliency and has won their last two in decisive fashion, climbing back into 6th place. This puts them squarely back into playoff contention (6 teams make it in) with seven games left to play. In those last two games that resulted in wins, goaltender Thomas Winsett has been dynamite, turning away 68 of the 72 shots he has faced, which translates into a .944 save percentage.
Offensively, the Falcons have been very strong as of late, scoring 17 goals over the past three games. Anthony Long continues to lead the team’s offense, scoring three goals and assisting on three more during this stretch, which gives him eleven goals and six assists for the season. The assist-machine, Keygan Paquette has had three assists over the last three games (12 total this season) and also added two goals (3 total this season). Also adding to the scoring has been during the last three contests: Mason Henne – three goals and two assists (6 goals, 5 assists total); Bryan Alspaugh – three goals and three assists (7 goals, 7 assists season total); Ben Feeman – one goal in each of the last four games (5 goals, 5 assists season total). If the Falcons can maintain this momentum, they will be a challenge for each of their remaining opponents.
Palmyra Cougars Ice Hockey
Bears Division of the CPIHL
Current Record: 2-9-1; 10th place
Season Goals by Period: 1st – 12 / 2nd – 13 / 3rd – 15 / Total – 40
Last 5 Games: LWLLL
-
- 11/30: Central Dauphin 8, Palmyra 0
- 12/2: Palmyra 3, Schuylkill Valley 2
- 12/14: Exeter/Gov Mifflin/Wilson 6, Palmyra 4
- 12/19: Cumberland Valley 6, Palmyra 5 (OTL)
- 12/23: Dallastown 8, Palmyra 4
Season Update: Palmyra has played three games since the last update, losing each of the three, but picking up a point along the way on account of an overtime loss to Cumberland Valley. Despite losing these games and getting knocked back further away from playoff qualification, things have not been all bad for the Cougars. Considering the fact that they have scored thirteen goals over the past three games, goal scoring is not an issue for this team. They have remained competitive in each of the games in their most recent stretch, putting heavy pressure on the opposing goaltenders (59 shots on against Exeter).
There are several Cougars who have led this offensive surge. Noah Poleshuk now has ten goals and nine assists on the season after scoring three goals (a hat trick against Dallastown) and assisting on six others over the past three games. Over the same period of time, Johnny Eldridge has been on fire tallying five goals (including a hat trick against Exeter) and three assists, pushing his total to nine goals and six assists for the season. With six games remaining, including a January 6th rematch with Cedar Crest, Palmyra’s offense could prove to be problematic for their opponents.
If you are looking to provide feedback or are a business or individual interested in providing sponsorship to aid our mission at LebCoSports, you are asked to contact Dan by emailing dan@lebcosports.com.
Buzgon Davis
Kind Hearted Pet Resort
TJT Sports
ProSeal
Penn Realty
Ask4Noah.com
