COLMAR, Pa. — The Delaware Jr. Blue Hens 18AA team compiled a 2-2-0 record at the Mid-Atlantic Summer Showcase, held Friday through Sunday (Aug. 20-22) at Hatfield Ice and Oaks Center Ice, while the 16AA team were defeated in all four of their games.
The 18AA Hens fell to Princeton, 3-1, in their first preliminary game on Friday. Jacob Rogacki was the only Delaware player to beat Princeton goalie Millard Worszylo (Roman Catholic), while Jonathan Catterton took the loss in net for the Hens. They rebounded with a 2-1 win over the Igloo Jaguars, powered by goals from Chase Wilson and Matt Bellopede and an 18-save performance from Justin Mackley.
On Saturday, the Hens clinched a berth in the tournament playoffs with a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils Youth. After surrendering an early goal to Spencer Soloman of the Devils, the Hens reeled off four second-half goals, led by two tallies and an assist from defenceman Caleb El-Attar. Nick DelPizzo and Johnny Pepe also registered goals for Delaware.
The Hens’ hopes of advancing beyond the quarterfinals were dashed, though, as the Philadelphia Blazers delivered a commanding 9-1 defeat to them Saturday night. The Blazers controlled the tempo for the entire game, led by two goals and two assists from Landon Stout and solid goaltending from Colin McKee (Father Judge).
While the 18AA team came away from Hatfield with a split, the 16AA Jr. Blue Hens were defeated in all four of their Mid-Atlantic games, falling to Montclair, 7-0; Armstrong (Pa.), 9-1; Tri-City (Md.), 5-1; and Princeton, 4-1. Matt Olivere accounted for two of the three Hens’ goals, while Patrick Fasano notched the other one. David Hoffman and Jacob Schindler registered assists, as well.
The Jr. Blue Hens 18AA team opens their Delaware Valley Hockey League season on Sept. 11 against their crosstown rivals, the Delaware Ducks. The 16AA team travels to York that same day to face the Devils in their DVHL opener.