YORK, Pa. — The Delaware Jr. Blue Hens U18AA team ran the table at the York Showcase this weekend (Sept. 10-11), ending the event as one of only two teams in the seven-team field to compile a 4-0-0 record.
The Hens began their weekend with a 4-0 win over the Tri-City Eagles Gold team on Saturday morning (Sept. 10), led by a Christian Kinsler hat trick and a 13-save shutout from goalie Justin Mackley. On Saturday afternoon, the Hens shut out Navy, 6-0, with Mackley and Sean Windstein splitting the goaltending duties and Matt Bellopede recording two goals.
After outscoring their opponents 10-0 on Saturday, Delaware gave up their first goal of the weekend on Sunday morning (Sept. 11) against St. James when John Glasgow scored on Mackley 3:15 into the first period. That goal represented the Blue Hens’ only deficit of the weekend, as they came back with four consecutive goals — two from Foster Wilkins, who ended up with a hat trick — en route to a 7-4 win. A 2-1 victory over Howard completed the Hens’ York sweep, with Bellopede again recording two goals — both in the third period — and Mackley saving 13 of 14 shots.
“We didn’t have the leading scorer in the tournament, but we had two guys with six points, two with five, two with four,” said coach Sean Cannon. “It was a well-balanced attack, which was nice.”
In all, Delaware not only outscored their opponents 19-5, but also outshot them, 166-62 — a testament to the high-paced brand of play coach Cannon brings to the table.
“Team speed will be a huge factor as we go,” Cannon continued.
The U18AA Blue Hens open their Delaware Valley Hockey League (DVHL) slate Saturday (Sept. 17), hosting Central Penn at 2:55 p.m. and Exton at 8 p.m. Both games will air on Delaware Hockey Night.
In other action this weekend:
U14AAs split in DVHL action
JBH 10, Chester County 4
Exton 7, JBH 1
The JBH U14AA team (1-1-0 DVHL) opened their DVHL stand with a 10-4 win over Chester County at Fred Rust Arena on Saturday. Sean Callaghan was the driving force of the Hens’ offence, recording four goals and two assists while Easton Hines added a goal and five assists, while Garrett Cushman earned the win in net.
Enrique Boyd scored the Hens’ lone goal in their second game, a 7-1 loss to Exton, also at Rust on Saturday. Karsten Blum, Matthew Martin and Brady Cusa scored two goals apiece for the Kings.
Goalies game in U18A defeats
Delco 2, JBH 0
Central Penn 4, JBH 2
With only 11 skaters, the JBH 18A team (0-6-0, 0-2-0 DVHL) put up a stern fight against Delco at IceWorks on Saturday, but a pair of goals from Brendan Perner gave his Phantoms a 2-0 decision. Tristan O’Connor saved 16 of 18 shots he faced in defeat.
The Hens dropped their home opener by two goals as well, as the Central Penn Panthers used a three-goal third period to edge Delaware, 4-2, on Sunday at Gold Arena. Goals from Jack Yovanovich and Cam Rogers gave Delaware a 2-1 lead through two periods, but Tyler Zimmerman, who led the Panthers with a hat trick, and David Ward led Central Penn’s late onslaught to emerge victorious. Luke Bordley was solid in net for Delaware, saving 41 of 45 total shots faced.
U14As swept on road
Delmarva 14, JBH 0
Delco 13, JBH 0
A nine-goal performance from Emmett Wheatley led the Delmarva Raptors to a 14-0 rout of the Hens’ U14A (0-2-0 DVHL) squad at Centre Ice Arena on Saturday. Despite defeat, Quinn Kelley recorded 40 saves for Delaware. Sunday’s game information was not available at press time.
U12AAs fall short in DVHL opener
Howard 9, JBH 2
Exton 4, JBH 3
Following a 9-2 defeat to Howard in EJEPL action at home on Saturday, the JBH 12AA team (1-5-0, 0-1-0 DVHL) came up short in their DVHL opener, falling 4-3 to Exton on Sunday at Power Play Rinks. Jackson McNutt led the Hens with two goals, David Lavieri contributed one, and Luke Johnson stopped 20 of 24 shots.
U10Bs split weekend slate
Flyers Youth 13, JBH 3
JBH 16, Delmarva 1
The U10B Hens (1-1-0, 1-0-0 DVHL) were overpowered by Flyers Youth, 13-3, in an EJEPL event at home on Saturday, in which Jordyn Long recorded a pair of goals. Sunday’s DVHL season opener was a much different story, as the Hens defeated Delmarva, 16-1, at Centre Ice Arena. Ryan McCoury scored four goals and Cash Scarborough added three; no further information was available at press time.
