Spring-Ford stops Boyertown in ICSHL Pioneer title game, 4-3
WEST GOSHEN >> No way he was leaving that shift without a goal.
No way.
Moments after clanging a puck off the crossbar on a hard slapshot from the slot, Spring-Ford’s Ryne Moore made his next chance count … in a big way.
With the puck on his stick off a rebound from the heavy shot of Colin Ward, Moore deposited the puck into the back of the net for the eventual game-winning goal with 8:02 left in the game as Spring-Ford defeated Boyertown 4-3 in the ICSHL Pioneer title game Thursday night at Ice Line Arena.
“Man, there were multiple chances I had that didn’t go in,” Moore said. “After that, I wasn’t accepting no goal that shift. That was big.”
The win does the Rams some justice for last year’s Pioneer title game, one that went in favor of Boyertown as the Bears won in overtime 5-4.
This game didn’t need it, the play of Moore, Ward and a top-to-bottom effort from all four lines the reason.
“We wanted to come back out here and beat these guys especially after last year,” Moore said.
“It’s huge to get this win,” Ward added. “It’s been what, 14 years since our last one, so it was great to get this for the school, especially after last year coming so close. It was nice to come out here and get it.”
Ward was the Rams’ leading point-getter, finishing the game with one goal and two assists, as did Joey Temoyan, who started the scoring after gaining speed across the blueline before labeling a hard wrister top shelf to make it 1-0.
Alex Barberini scored his second goal of the season, his finish amid a scrum in front of the net making it 2-1 Rams early in the second period.
“That was big for him; that was a big-time goal,” Moore said. “That was huge for us. Everyone chipped in this game collectively.”
A collective effort was much needed against a Bears squad that was again headed by forward Casey Sottanella. The senior was sensational, recording a hat trick with an array of beautiful goals. The team’s leading scorer (26 goals, 14 assists) scored his first to tie it at 1 before striking again in the second, his dangle and deke affording him an open net to make it 3-2. Three minutes after Ward’s rebound made it 4-2, Sottanella ripped one top shelf after the puck fell onto his stick in the high-slot to make it 4-3.
From there, the Bears couldn’t find the tying goal. Chris Moccia had a prime chance late as he gathered the puck in the slot after a turnover but his shot went right into the gut of Spring-Ford goalie Matthew Magee. The Rams, in full defensive mode, made that the last prime offensive chance.
Magee finished with 35 saves in the win.
Boyertown goalie Brandon Benson finished with 40 saves in the loss, his sprawling kick save in the first period a highlight for a goaltender that has had a penchant for making big saves – his glove save on back-to-back chances in Monday’s win over Perkiomen Valley a highlight.
NOTES >> Boyertown was 1-for-5 on the power play; Spring-Ford was 0-for-1. … Sean McGinley, Leo Richards, Cole Whitman, Adam Walter and Jake Harman registered assists for Boyertown.
