I haven't seen them play yet this year but they seem to have some impressive wins against the likes of Haverford and now Springfield. Looks like the best team Marple has put together in several years.
How good are they and where should they be ranked among the "A" teams?
Marple has a good solid talented team top to bottom. They, along with a slew of other teams, can compete with anyone at any level except for perhaps the top 'AAA' programs (perhaps this just means Lasalle????). If you've seen any hockey besides your own team's this year, it's easy to realize that there is P-A-R-I-T-Y this year top to bottom in hockey east - and not just within each division, it's across the board. If you look through the standings in the ICSHL at 'A' you'll see things like this crossover matchup with the Eastern League...(just pulled a random example out so don't get offended if you're affiliated with these teams) Haverford 10 Radnor 0, followed by Radnor 3 Ridley 0, followed by Ridley 5 Haverford 0. Doesn't follow the A beats B, B beats C so A beats C pattern (obviously) and doesn't even come close to following it. It depends on the night and how a team performs on that given night. Look at the scores and you'll see most games are close. Take a look at how the Ches-Mont teams are beating up on each other. The Downingtowns, the West Chesters, Kennett, Unionville, etc. Most games are ties, one-goal games, or two-goal games. There are no dominant teams. I guess it's up to you as to whether you want to consider the fact that high school hockey this year either is equally bad or equally good. I guess the state championship contests will ultimately decide that.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Coachk,
I think what Coachk means is that there is no dominant team in high school hockey this year except for LaSalle, who plays a limited number of local teams. Haverford and HGP aren't as good as they were last year, and Henderson lost a tough league game last night. Anyone can be beaten. This is going to make an interesting Flyers Cup and an even harder job for Matt to rank the teams.
st pulled a random example out so don't get offended if you're affiliated with these teams) Haverford 10 Radnor 0, followed by Radnor 3 Ridley 0, followed by Ridley 5 Haverford 0
Haha, very true.
Posts: 300 | Location: Ridley Park | Registered: 26 February 2007
This is going to make an interesting Flyers Cup and an even harder job for Matt to rank the teams.
So true....I will be miserable the day I do the rankings. La Salle is clear cut #1, and in spite of the recent loss, so is Henderson. Nothing else is clear at any of the three levels. It will probably take me two hours to do the rankings this month (and that's just picking the order....the text that follows will take additional time)
Posts: 959 | Location: Philly | Registered: 11 September 2006
iv had a chance to watch marple play a few times and they have two solid lines, each of which could be considered a number one line. It seems they thrive more on a high powered offense being that they scored a combined total of 13 goals against haverford and springfield. If the win over haverford didnt get them noticed i think the win over springfield should open peoples eyes. Watching the springfield game i noticed #91 on marple make some sick plays. He had 4 impressive assists and his line has some good finishers on it too like #22(sorry i didnt get names.. they had their third jerseys on with no last names on them) ill be looking forward to see where they'll end up on the this months rankings
Marple is flat out a group of hard working decent players that work together to get the job done.
If you look at their roster of the highest level player they have is a Tier II 18AA player. They don't have a team stacked with AAA or Junior club players that's why I say their great work ethic is what carries them. They play really well as a team and a lot of different players chip in to get the win.
Posts: 32 | Location: WEST OF PHILLY | Registered: 25 December 2007
