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Hatters Beat Quakertown

By Rick Woelfel, 11/07/19, 8:15AM EST

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Hatboro-Horsham wins its Second Straight as the Panthers Makes Their SHSHL Debut

HATFIELD—For some, the evening was an occasion to celebrate. For others, less so.

Seth Lerner’s hat trick propelled Hatboro-Horsham to a 5-2 win over Quakertown Wednesday night in a Suburban High School Hockey League interdivisional clash at Hatfield Ice. It was the Hatters’ second straight non-league win to open the season.

For Quakertown, the opening faceoff marked the start of a new era, the Panthers’ debut in the Suburban High School Hockey League, and the stands were full of their supporters including some Quakertown Community School District administrators.

The Panthers, who will skate in the SHSHL’s Class AA Division, combined their speed with the work of goaltender Austin Stoudt (39 saves) and battled the Hatters on even terms most of the evening.

Things unraveled in the third period however as the result of several on-ice altercations.

Quakertown coach Keith Krem brings with him an abundance of experience coaching various levels of youth hockey and currently oversees youth programs for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

“It was exciting to get out here, Krem said, “The hockey part of the game was actually pretty good. We were pretty competitive. We need to clean up the turnovers and the penalties for sure, but all in all it was a very nice little hockey game for two periods there.”

The Hatters came into the new season as a proven commodity defensively. But there were concerns over where the goals would come from.

“Defensively  we did well last year,” said Hatter coach Gianni Lafratta. “We didn’t do too well putting the puck in the net. This year, we’re getting a solid, concerted effort. Everyone is working together. We’ve got five guys together supporting one another, moving the puck well. And definitely our passing has improved."

Lerner started the scoring 7:12 into the first period. Anthony Pegliei answered for Quakertown  with a shorthanded goal at 9:24 and the score stayed that way through the first period thanks to Stoudt’s efforts.

Lerner and Quakertown’s Brandon Minkoff treaded goals in the second frame before Lerner gave his team the lead for good with 3:28 left in the period.

“We’ve just got to work as a team and do the best we can,” Lerner said, to create the best offensive opportunities we can make.”

Tarik Elsabaugh and Nick Creneti scored for the Hatters early in the third period.

 

 Hatboro-Horsham 1 2 2—5

Quakertown 1 1 0—2