'We are forever bound as a Band of Brothers" these were the words Coach Andy Scott said to the boys after a hard fought loss against a tough Suffolk PAL team in the National Championship Game. And although tears and emotions were running high in the room today you can not help but think about the journey and the memories created by the most successful team in Central Penn Panther History. Everyone will take something different from this season that has created memories and stories that will last a lifetime and create a life long bond between the 24 players and the coaching staff of the 2008-2009 Panthers. For me the lasting impression and thought besides just being greatful to be around these terriffic indivuals all year is that these boys were able to put aside individual for team and truely become a BAND OF BROTHERS a brotherhood all who are in are proud to be a part of.
Your 2008-2009 BAND OF BROTHERS:
Andy Scott, K.C. Kauffman, Mike Tenney, Mike Bauer, Mike Morris, C. Phil Heinle, Spencer Becker, Steve Scrivener, Phil Crea, K.C. Kohler, Logan Bauman, Jake Brightbill, Brian Fund, Cody Bentzel, Ben Bauer, Alex King, Colin O'neil, Dillan Fox, Eric Bajc, D.J. Dinnison, Teddy Allen, Nick Cook, Zach Jensen, Jeremy Heinle, Jimmy McNalley, Wes Heinle, Kyle Troup, Rodney Davis, Nico Delgiorno
Panthers Play Great Defense to Capture Keegan Cup
The Central Penn Panthers are the M.J.H.L 2008-2009 Champions! The Panthers were met with their most challenging weekend to date and came out with flying colors. Saturday the Panthers relied on veteran leadership to get them past the high octane offense of Suffolk PAL.
Suffolk PAL had not been held to 1 or no goals the entire season heading into Saturday's matchup with the Panthers. Given the situation coach Andy Scott called on two of his more veteran players, Wes Heinle and Teddy Allen, to shut down Suffolk's top line. Along with linemate D.J. Dinnison, the duo of Heinle and Allen were equal to the task as the line saw top minutes against the top line all night and were able to defensively keep that at bay. It was not just the line match up that held Suffolk's top line and team to just one goal for the first time all season. Philip Heinle showed why he is the top goalie in the Met League this year with 43 stops on 44 shots. Scoring for the Panthers was once again Colin O'neil who tallied the games first goal to give the panthers a 1 to 0 lead. Suffolk did tie the game at one in the second period. However, this was Teddy Allen's game to shine as he scored the game winner on a shot few could make as he slid the puck under a sprawling Suffolk goaltender. Allen who had been injured in the second period and could barely skate through the third period proved that will and determination will lead a team to victory as not only did he score the game winner but blocked several shots and cleared several pucks adding great defense to a great individual effort.
Sunday's Championship game against the Jacksonville Ice Dogs saw another tough opponent for the Panthers. Jacksonville struck first in the opening period to give them a one to nothing lead. However minute later on the powerplay Eric Bajc responded with an absolute laser from the half wall to tie the game at 1. After a scoreless second period the Panthers were determined to capture their first Keegan Cup in 12 years as they came out flying in the third period. Shift after shift the Panthers were all over their opponents ending the game out shooting Jacksonville 50 to 27. Finally with about 9 minutes on the clock an aggressive forecheck by Colin O'neil caused a turnover for Eric Bajc in the high slot who knew what to do as he rifled the puck into the top of the net for a 2 to 1 lead. The Panthers once again looked to their defense and goaltending to shut the door and they did even killing off a penalty in the last three minutes of the game. Dillan Fox slammed the door shut on the Ice Dogs as he buried an empty net goal in the final minute of play to secure the Keegan Cup and a Metropolitan Junior Hockey League Championship for the Central Penn Panthers.
Panthers Secure Birth in Keagan Cup and at Nationals
The Central Penn Panthers were pushed to the limit by the Valley Forge Minutemen over the weekend in the three game Dowd Division Final. Winning a tough series like this one will surely prepare the Panthers for success in the coming weeks.
The Panthers learned 5 important things this weekend that all championship teams must learn. The first being how to take a loss. On Friday in game one the Panthers stormed out of the gates to a 2 to 0 lead only to lose that lead over the next two periods and lose game 1 by a score of 3 to 2.
The second lesson the Panthers learned was how to play with their backs up against the wall in an elimination game. Saturday's game 2 saw a great rebound effort out of all the Panthers in a 3 to 1 victory. Lesson three also came in game two as the Panthers learned to come from behind to capture victory. After going down 1 to 0 in the second period Phil Crea (the captain) scored the Panthers first goal to tie the game at 1 on the power play. Going into the third period tied it was just a matter of time before the Panthers took over the game for good. The scoring punch was delivered by Colin O'neil who netted a pair of goals in the third period to wrap it up for the Panthers.
The fourth lesson the Panthers learned was how to lose the lead and still come back and win. Game three saw the Panthers stake a 2 to 0 lead once again in the first period on a powerplay goal by Nico Delgiorno and a short handed goal by Jake Brightbill. The Panthers however would let Valley Forge back in the contest and with less than 5 minutes to play in regulation the game was tied 2 to 2. When Dillan Fox and Colin O'neil got a 2 on 1 and Fox slid the puck to O'neil for the game winner.
And what is the fifth lesson? The Panthers have the goaltending and the all around team defense to make a serious run at a National Championship. C. Phillip Heinle was great again for the Panthers this weekend making timely save after timely save the last coming late in the third on a huge glove save stopping the Valley Forge player who was on a breakaway. And the Defensive core was equally impressive all weekend chipping in on offense and providing solid play in front of Heinle. Watch out folks this team will be prowling for two more weeks!
PANTHERS ADVANCE TO DOWD DIVISION FINAL
The Central Penn Panthers took care of business over the weekend sweeping the Philadlephia Jr.Flyers in two straight games. The first a 4 to 0 shutout at home on Thurday night and the second a 5 to 2 win down on the Flyers home ice on Saturday. The star of the weekend was Panther goalie C. Phillip Heinle who posted a .976 save percentage in the two game series. C. Phil was lights out on Thursday stopping 34 shots in the game. Saturday C. Phil saw 27 shots and again made stopping the puck look effortless as he again dominated the opposition. With goaltending like that the Panthers could have a very lengthy playoff run.
PANTHERS CAPTURE DOWD DIVISION CROWN
The Central Penn Panthers clinched their first ever Division Championship with a 5 to 3 victory over the Jr. Flyers on Saturday afternoon. The game was all you would expect from an important division clinching bout, a close tough contest that the Panthers had to inflict their will on to get the victory. Teddy Allen led the way for the Panthers with 2 goals and 1 assist. Also scoring were Jay Heinle, Nico Delgiorno and D.J. Dinnison. With the win and Division crown the Panthers will be the number 1 seed going into the Dowd division playoffs which begins in two weeks when the Panthers will start with a series against the 4th seeded Jr. Flyers.
THE PANTHERS KEEP ROLLING
A couple of lopsided victories kept the Panthers rolling in the chase to become Dowd division champions. Saturday was a 6 to 0 romp over the Little Caps at home and Sunday was an equally impressive road win over the same Little Caps team 8 to 1. The Panthers are certainly playing great hockey at the moment so great that it is hard to tell what aspect of their game has been better there explosive offense or their rock solid defense. In the last 4 games against the top two rivals of the Dowd division the offense has accounted for 23 goals and the defense and goaltender have let in 2. Whichever the case the Panthers are a very dominate team right now and going into next weekends showcase should be very formidable for any cross divisional foe.
UPCOMING WEEKEND HUGE FOR PANTHERS DIVISION TITLE HOPES
The Panthers play two games with the first place Valley Forge Minutemen this weekend in hopes of taking over the Dowd Division lead. The four points available could put the Panthers at 50 points one ahead of Valley Forge with a weekend sweep with a game in hand as the season is coming to close. The Panthers will look to newcomers Nick Cook and Dillan Fox to add to the already fantastic firepower of the Panther offense. Tedy Allen fresh off of Player of the week honors in the Met league will hope to continue hishot streak of 8 goals in 4 games. GO GET'EM BOYS AND LETS TAKE IT TO VALLEY FORGE THIS WEEKEND!
TWO DIVISION WINS LIFT PANTHERS INTO FIRST PLACE!
The Central Penn Panthers pounced into first place after two victories over the Little FLyers over the weekend. On Saturday the Panthers exploded in the first period for 5 goals. This offense plus steady defense lead to an 8 to 1 victory for the Panthers on home ice. Colin O'neal led the team with two goals and two assists in the victory. O'neal was not the only one filling up the score sheet as several other Panthers had multy point efforts they included Jeremy Heinle, Kyle Troup, Jake Brightbill, Teddy Allen, Nico DelGiorno and Eric Bajc.
On Sunday the Little Flyers were looking for payback on their home ice but the Panthers were equal to the task as they took the win in overtime to get two points. The Panthers took the early one nothing lead on an even strength goal by Eric Bajc only to see the Flyers rebound on home ice and have a 2 to 1 lead by the end of the second period. But in the third period D.J. Dinnison tied the game on a pass from Teddy Allen. The game went to overtime where just 32 seconds in Eric Bajc scored a short handed goal to win it, taking the two points and moving the Panthers into first place in the Division.
Panthers Ignited By Hat-tricks!
The Panthers took all 4 points this past weekend against the upstart New Jersey Renegades. The Panthers who have won 5 out of their last 6 continued rolling over the weekend.
Saturday night the Panthers put up an impressive 11 goals behind Kyle Hanaway's hat trick. Also chipping in on the scoring were Teddy Allen, Jake Brightbill, Wes Heinle, Ben Bauer, and D.J.Dinnison. Nico Del Giorno also netted two goals in the game. Not only was the Panther offense potent but they held their opponents to just 19 shots in the game.
Sunday afternoon provided more of the same as almost every player contributed in the point department. A convincing 10 to 2 victory as Eric Bajc took his turn turning the hat trick in the game. Jimmy (JMAC) McNally, Jay Heinle, and Rodney Davis all found the net on Sunday tallying one goal each. Completeing the scoring were scorers from the day earlier Wes Heinle, D.J. Dinnison, Teddy Allen, and Jake Brightbill.
The Panthers will look to extend their good fortune against a tough divisional opponent in the Little Flyers next weekend. The Panthers have beaten the Little Flyers once already this season. It was a thrilling shoot-out victory at the Regency Sports Rink earlier this month.