 High School Ice Hockey:
Late Goal by Andrews Lifts Township into First
Monday, January 21, 2002
By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer
Chris Andrews scored with less than two minutes remaining in the game to snap a 3-3 tie and lead Washington Township over Eastern 5-3. With the win, Township moved one point ahead of Clearview and Cherokee in the battle for first place. All three teams have two games left on their schedule. Nick Martorano paced the Township attack with three goals and Anthony Orner led Eastern with two goals.
 After a scoreless first period, thanks in large part to Eastern goalie Manny Rayo who had his strongest game of the season, Eastern broke out on top first. Defenseman Joe DiLauro, capitalizing on some off-season skating sessions, went end-to-end and created a scoring opportunity. After the initial save, Mike Purwin kept the puck in the zone and Orner slid home the rebound for a 1-0 lead.
Township would answer about four minutes later with their own power play goal as Martorano scored from the slot to knot the game at 1-1. Moments after Rayo stoned Drew Peterson on a breakaway, Brandon Tunstall gave Eastern a 2-1 lead as he lifted a back hander into the top corner. Chris Keyser tied the score at 2-2 early in the third period converting a feed from Tom Davidson. Martorano would score to give Township a 3-2 lead midway through the third period and it looked like the momentum had swung to Township. But Orner tied the game at 3-3 with just under four minutes remaining as he jammed home a shot byTunstall.
The game winner was set-up when Peterson skated in all alone and after Rayo made the initial save, Andrews jumped on the rebound and beat Rayo. Martorano added an empty net goal to close out the scoring at 5-3. Township now controls its own destiny and just needs to win their last two games to finish in first.
Photos by Art Redd
                
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High School Ice Hockey:
