C.R. South rolls to title behind goalie

Council Rock South ice hockey coach Joe Houk talked about how he built a champion Monday night after the Golden Hawks had beaten Central Bucks East, 5-2, to capture their second Flyers Cup Class AA championship in three years at the Bucks County Ice Sports Center.

"You build it from the goal line on out," Houk said after watching senior Steve Jastrow put in another strong performance in goal for South, which won the Cup two years ago before bowing to Downingtown East in the final last season.

Jastrow was not in the goal for either of those finals. Last season, he played on the junior varsity for South, biding his time until he got his chance.

"It's been an amazing year," said Jastrow, the tournament MVP, who stopped 31 shots in the title game. "This was my one year to play and I gave it all I had."

The win advanced the Golden Hawks (24-4-1) to the state championship game Saturday against Bishop Canevin, the Penguins Cup winner, at the Ice Line rink near West Chester.

Jastrow gave up the first goal of the game when Mike Palmer scored with just 21 seconds gone off the clock.

"I knew they'd come out fired up," Jastrow said. "They were looking for revenge."

South won both of their regular-season meetings in the Suburban High School Hockey League. South won the first game, 7-2, but East managed to make the second one a little tighter on Jan. 6, bowing, 4-2.

The Golden Hawks tied the championship game at 1-1 on a goal by Mitchell Vaysman with 10 minutes, 22 seconds left in the second period. Eight minutes later, Greg Aquaro scored the go-ahead goal.

South's final goal was scored by Kyle Walter into an empty net with 38 seconds left to play.

"In ice hockey, it's important to get that first goal," said the Patriots' Tyler McIntosh "We certainly came out ready, but we couldn't hold the lead. South's a very good ice hockey team. I give them all the credit."

East goalie Justin Golia made 21 saves. The Patriots finished the season 24-5-3.

Central Bucks East 1 0 1 - 2

Council Rock South 1 2 2 - 5

Goals: CBE-Mike Palmer, Austin Cinalli. CRS-Colin Craige, Mitchell Vaysman, Greg Aquaro, Tom Kozior, Kyle Walter.

Saves: CBE-Justin Golia, 21. CRS-Steve Jastrow, 31.