PSD Photo by Zack Beavers
WEST CHESTER, PA – Malvern Prep took home the 2022 3A Flyers Cup on Monday night in a dominant 6-1 win over St. Joseph’s Prep. Malvern was the faster and more physical team all game and St. Joe’s had difficulty keeping up.
Malvern Prep senior Pierre Larocque started off the team’s busy night early in the first period by scoring off of a pass from sophomore Jeremy Jacobs.
“I thought our team came out strong,” Malvern Prep head coach Bill Keenan said. “We knew it was going to be a fast start and that the first goal was crucial. We were able to get a few more goals and build onto the lead. Once we were able to settle in, we executed on our game plan.”
Malvern continued to play with intensity and with 3:52 left in the first period Flyers Cup Tournament MVP, Matt Harris, collected his first goal of the night, off a rebound on a shot from Caidan Canale. After the game, Harris spoke on what it meant to him to earn MVP honors.
“It’s a big honor. You have a lot of people watching so you have to go out and give it your best. When opportunity presents itself, you’ve got to capitalize and build off of that,” said Harris.
Heading into the second period down 2-0, St. Joe’s Prep had trouble making adjustments and continued to struggle to protect their net and defend second chance opportunities. Harris scored his second goal of the night, with assists from juniors Jimmy Jacobs and Steven Getsie. Quickly after, Jonathan Holt scored to increase Malvern’s lead to 4-0. Gavin Wilson and Aidan Kelly earned assists on the play.
In the final period, St. Joe’s showed signs of life when they came out with more energy and got a goal from senior Nick Storti. Although, Malvern quickly put that sign of life to rest by getting two more goals, the first from Jimmy Jacobs, and the second from Harris, to complete his hat trick and seal the deal on the win. Senior Quinn Dougherty earned assists on both third period goals for Malvern. Malvern’s goalie, Anthony Perti, had a stellar night in net, saving 30 shots on 31 attempts.
POST GAME INTERVIEW WITH FLYERS CUP MVP MATT HARRIS - INTERVIEW BY JOHN WILSON, FILMED BY ZACK BEAVERS:
Harris was overjoyed with winning the Flyers Cup but spoke on the team’s desire to continue on their roll into the state championship.
“We want to run it back, so we’ve got to give it our all on Saturday and hope to get another ring by winning the state championship,” said Harris.
Coach Keenan shared how he will prepare his team for their opponent in Saturday’s big game.
“Our focus and preparation for Peters Township will be the same as any other game. We watch our film and put together strategies and game plans and make sure the team is aware. We expect a physical and fast paced game from Peters Township. Games like this don’t come too often so we will take it shift by shift and hopefully come out on top,” said Keenan.
Malvern Prep, the reigning state champions, will play Peters Township in the 3A state championship, which will take place in West Chester, PA, at Ice Line, on Saturday, March 26, at 5 p.m.