High School Ice Hockey:
Lenape Sweeps Clearview, Advances To SJHSIHL Finals

Tuesday, March 2, 1999

By Gary Finigan
SJSports Staff Writer

At the Medford Ice Rink, the Lenape Indians faced off against the Clearview Pioneers in game two of the SJHSIHL semi-finals. The Indians defeated the Pioneers 4-0 to advance to the finals. The Lenape offense was led by Rick Salvador and Jeff Bagnoli, with each picking up a goal and one assist in the victory. Sean Sheehan picked up his third shutout of the playoffs.

Clearview started the game off with good puck control. The Pioneers were able to spread the play on the ice, taking the puck to the offensive end. The Indians defense was only able to dump the puck out, unable to get the offense started. Midway through the first period Lenape began to find its offense. The momentum was shifting in the Indians' favor. Both teams were able to generate scoring opportunities. Lenape goalie Sean Sheehan and Clearview goalie Rager played strong to keep the game scoreless through the first period.

In the second period, Lenape broke the ice. With Clearview on the power play, Rick Salvador scored an unassisted short handed goal. Clearview was unable to get the power play started. The Indians were taking the play to the Pioneers. Gaining control of the puck, Salvador scored on a shot that deflected off the cross bar for the 1-0 lead. Clearview goalie Rager appeared to be caught off guard by the shot. At this point in the game, the Indians began to take control. Rager kept the Indians lead to one with some strong play in the net.

The Indians got the scoring machine on track in the third period. Lenape went up 2-0 at the 13:08 mark. Greg Bagnoli scored on a high shot to the glove side as he crossed the slot from left to right. Credit for the assist went to Joe Schenck. Continuing to control the puck, the Indians pushed the lead to three with a power play goal. Working the puck in the left corner, Jeff Bagnoli passed to Rick Salvador behind the net. Salvador moved behind the net, passing to Jeremy Reed in the right slot. Reed slammed the puck home for the 3-0 Lenape lead. The Indians added a second power play goal at 8:03 to close out the scoring for the game. Ken McClure passed to Dan Whitlock at center ice. Racing across the blue line, Whitlock moved into the slot and let go a hard wrist to beat the Pioneer goaltender. The Indians controlled play for the remainder of the game to preserve the shutout for goalie Sean Sheehan.

With the victory in hand, and a two game sweep of Clearview, the Lenape Indians advance to the SJHSIHL Championship series. Lenape will battle Eastern in a best of three series for the SJHSIHL 1998-1999 Title.

Photos by Gary Finigan