 High School Ice Hockey:
Connoley And Piccotti Pace Viking Attack
Monday, October 23, 2000
By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer
T.J. Connoley had two goals and an assist and Brett Piccotti also scored twice to lead the Eastern Vikings over Shawnee 6-1 in a physical game played on Monday night at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. Eastern had three power play goals and a short-handed goal while freshman goalie Dan Meyers stopped twenty of twenty-one shots. Eastern struck first midway through the first period taking advantage of a two-man advantage as Piccotti deflected a point shot from Dave Warrington for the 1-0 lead.
 The Vikings added two goals late in the period, one by Ryan Janiszewski and the other on the power play as Tom Fadako fed a pass from behind the net to Connoley. Heading into the second period it was 3-0 Eastern. Shawnee came out in the second period and used its size advantage and began hitting anyone in a Viking uniform. Sherman finally scored for Shawnee to cut the lead to 3-1. With the crowd now back into the game and Shawnee gaining confidence, it seemed the next goal would be crucial.
Shawnee had an excellent chance to climb closer by getting a two-man advantage for almost a minute, but could not capitalize. And to add insult to injury, Piccotti scored a short-handed goal to make it 4-1 heading into the third period. Connoley and Schellenhamer closed out the scoring for Eastern and with the 6-1 victory remained in first place. Although Coach Pontonio has a young team and feels they are a few years away, and rightfully so, with Meyers in nets who looks more like a veteran than a freshman. With one of the premier players in Mike Becker, they should make some noise this year.
Photos by Joanne Costantino
                 
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High School Ice Hockey:
