 High School Ice Hockey:
Cherokee Begins Defense of their Title with a Win
Monday, September 23, 2002
By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer
Sean Zahacewski netted three goals and Brandon Gould added a goal and two assists to lead the defending champion Cherokee Chiefs to a 7-3 win over Rancocas Valley in the SJHSIHL opening game at Voorhees on Monday night. With both teams spending most of the game killing penalties, each team was whistled for fourteen, neither team could generate much of an offense. Gould started the scoring in the first ten seconds of the game as he connected on a pass from Kevin Magnin. Then on the power play, Magnin made it 2-0, after Gould was stopped on the initial shot, Magnin put home the rebound.
 Josh Rubin scored with under five minutes remaining in the period to bring Rancocas to within 2-1. Then late in the period Rancocas had a golden opportunity on the power play to tie the game, but Zahacewski broke in and with Gould setting a screen in front, Zahacewski went short-side to make it 3-1 after one. Max Szcezpkowski's blast from the point put Cherokee up 4-1 early in the second period. Kyle Aaronson got one back for Rancocas scoring after a scramble in front, making it 4-2. Then Ray Mellon scored short-handed to cut the lead to 4-3 and suddenly Rancocas had life.
Cherokee responded on the same power play, Zahacewski, again set-up by Gould went short side to give Cherokee a 5-3 lead. And then scored thirty seconds later to make it 6-3. Steve Sheridan closed out the scoring for Cherokee in the third period to give Coach Sabol his first win.
Photos by Art Redd
       
|
High School Ice Hockey:
