High School Ice Hockey:
Great Knight by Marshall Helps Sterling Win in OT

Sunday, February 27, 2000

By Phil Cohn
SJSports Special Correspondent

Steve Marshall scored three goals; the last one in overtime as Sterling defeated Delran 7-6 in game one of the JVA championship played in Pensauken. The best of three championship series resumes Monday night at the Coliseum. Sterling, which out-shot Delran 37-19, opened the scoring as Butler scored an unassisted goal. Delran responded just twenty-four seconds later as Pat Nitka converted a pass from James McDevitt to tie the game at 1-1.

Brad Livingston and Chris Mirabella set up Bryan Jewell and his power play goal gave Delran the 2-1 lead. Seconds later Sterling's Billingsley would make it 2-2, scoring an unassisted goal. Livingston would close out the period scoring a power play goal for Delran and the 3-2 lead.

Mirabella's power play goal gave Delran a two-goal lead at 4-2. But Sterling's offense would kick into gear and score the next four goals. Three would be on the power play, two by Marshall and one by Staszewski and one even strength, by Hunter and suddenly Sterling led 6-4.

Justin Radziemski brought Delran to within 6-5 as we headed into the third period. Given an opportunity on the power play, Delran's Chris Smargisso tied the game at 6-6 with assists to Ian Michaelchuck and Dan Stapelkamp. In the overtime, Marshall scored on Sterling's only shot and with the victory can clinch the title Monday night.