Wissahickon and Springfield have labored in obscurity much of the season, their efforts limited by roster size. Hatboro-Horsham and Plymouth Whitemarsh have dominated the SHSHL’s American Division, leaving the Spartans, the Trojans (and Abington) in their wake.
But on Thursday night, the Trojans and Spartans were able to compete on an equal footing. The result was an 8-5 Wissahickon win at Hatfield Ice that added to the festive mood on the Trojans’ Senior Night and not incidentally tightened their hold on the third and final American Division playoff slot.
The win improved Wissahickon to 4-7 overall and in the division while Springfield fell to 3-8 overall and 3-7 in divisional play.
The result also allowed Wissahickon to avenge a 10-0 loss to the Spartans on November 20; the teams are scheduled to face each other on two additional occasions before the regular season concludes next month.
Joseph Gambino, one of Wissahickon’s captains, spoke of what the victory meant to him and his teammates and the experience they’re having this season
“This group definitely isn’t the most talented,” he said, “but we have the most heart. Last year on Senior Night we couldn’t get it done for them. It was a heartbreaking OT loss that definitely motivated us this year.
“We came prepared, suits and ties and ready to play and we came out and proved it today. I think that was our best game of the year.”
Wardrobes aside, Wissahickon got contributions from multiple sources. Mack Risnychok had a five-point night with four goals and an assist. Gambino added two goals and an assist while Chase McClintic delivered two goals. Logan Dicus, one of five seniors in the Trojan lineup, chipped in with two assists.
“Like any team I guess eight now, we have a short bench,” said Wissahickon coach James Rumsey. “Each one of them did their part. They all did something special to come out and take the win.”
The teams traded goals for most of the first two periods a before McClintic and Risnychok scored goals 82 seconds apart to put Wissahickon up 6-4 with four minutes left in the second period. Gambino’s goal 3:05 into the third frame have his team some additional breathing room.
Grayson Quinn had a hand in every Springfield goal; he scored their first and added four assists after that.
“After the first period it was 2-2 and each team had nine shots,” said Springfield coach Don Quinn. “You can’t get more even than that.
“We traded goals back and forth and then they took advantage of some mistakes and the net thing.” you know, it’s 8-4.”
Quinn notes his team has some critical games coming over the final month of the regular season.
“We know P-W and Hatboro-Horsham kind of have those one and two positions in our league,” he said. “It’s between us, Wissahickon, and Abington to get that final spot.”
Wissahickon 2 4 2—8
Springfield 2 2 1—5
First-period goals: Mack Risnychok from Logan Honeycutt, 4:41 (pp); Grayson Quinn (S) from Richard Belles, 12:38 Owen Campbell (S) from Grayson Quinn, 14:36; Risnychok
from Dryden Jaisle and Logan Dicus, 16:50
Second-period goals: Lincoln Coleman (S) from Quinn, :30; Chase McClintic from Dicus, 5:21; Joseph Gambino
from Honeycutt, 7:45; John Barr (S) from Quinn, 9:06; McClintic
from Risynchok and Jaisle 11:38 Risnychok
unassisted, 13:00
Third-period goals: Gambino from Link Matozzo, 3:05; Gavin McManus (S) from Bennett Warman and Quinn, 5:04; Risnychok
from Gambino, 5:57
Shots: Wissahickon 30, Springfield 29; Saves: Fletcher Lynch 24, Emmett Kline (S) 22
