Bonner, O'Hara Clash Friday Night

On Friday night, the Skatium will play host to another chapter in the storied rivalry between the Monsignor Bonner and Cardinal O'Hara hockey teams. The neighborhood schools, well, don't like each other to say the least. Trash talk has been started already, exemplified with the Facebook event. Fans and players alike have hatred for one another. Grade school friends become enemies when there is a Bonner O'Hara hockey game. It is one of, if not the most important game of the year for both squads.
The 2009-10 Bonner club is led by captains Rob Cantando and Dave Brewer. Brewer, along with junior Corey Cahill, are tied for the team lead in goals with three apiece, and Cahill leads the team in points with five. Goalie Steve Gallo has played well in net through the opening part of the season so far, posting a 3.33 GAA and an 88.1 save percentage. Bonner has played four games so far, going 2-1-1. They defeated Archbishop Carroll and Lansdale Catholic. The Friars tied Boyertown 2-2, and fell to St. Joe's Prep.
Meanwhile, O'Hara has only played twice, and have a record of 1-1. The Lions defeated Roman Catholic, and dropped a contest to Holy Ghost Prep.They are led by seniors Mike Marconi and Steve Falcone. Both have one goal apiece this year, and Marconi leads the team in points with three. O'Hara's Jeff Holland posts a 3.00 GAA, while holding an 86.96 save percentage in net. Marconi, as well as Mike McGrath, are transfers from Bonner to O'Hara for hockey. Bonner players and fans aren't too happy about that, and both will be greeted with "open arms" when the Lions take the ice.
Unfortunately, O'Hara has dominated this contest the last couple years. However, Bonner has been almost able to pull the upset on a couple of occasions. Last year, after going down 3-0 in the first, Bonner came roaring back to tie the game 3-3, only to fall short. Two years ago, in a game everyone will remember for more of the fans antics than the game itself, Bonner came back from a deficit to tie the game in a playoff game, only to fall short again, giving up a goal with seconds left in the game. This year's battle looks to be a good one. Both teams look poised to take the first of two match ups between the squads. O'Hara looks to continue its winning ways over the Friars, while Bonner looks to upset the Lions. This should be a good match up between the two arch-rivals. You will not want to miss this game. The puck drops at 7:00 pm Friday night at the Skatium in Havertown.