High School Ice Hockey: Washington Township wins Hockey Title Monday, February 27, 2006 By Mike Costantino SJSports Staff Writer Chris Coleman scored two goals as Washington Township defeated Cherokee 4-3 and won the SJHSIHL Tier 1 Championship before a standing room only crowd at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. The season ended in disappointment for Cherokee as they went unbeaten during the regular season, but it was Township that went undefeated in the double elimination tournament. And for the first time in a long time, it was goaltending that carried Washington Township as Joseph Scafisi was the difference in nets. Township jumped out first as David Moore banged home a goal on the short side about six minutes into the game, but three minutes later, Justin Kinniry scored the first of his two goals to tie the score at 1-1, and that’s how the period would end. Both teams would have chances on the power play, and both with two man advantages. Cherokee began the period with the advantage, but Scafisi stoned Kinniry twice down low to keep Cherokee off the board. Township took advantage of its chance as Coleman scored his first goal putting home a rebound. Both teams would have chances put Scafisi and Joe Allen for Cherokee made several big stops to keep the game at 2-1. Midway through the third period, Coleman gave Township some breathing room as he batted home a goal that beat Allen and with Thomas Dispaldo and Christian Biscardi combining to put Township up 4-1 with just over three minutes left in the game it looked as if the game was over. But give Cherokee credit as they fought back with goals by Kinniry and Dan Maugieri to pull within 4-3 with ninety seconds left. With the net empty, Cherokee could not get the tying goal and Township had its first championship since 2000. Notes: Congratulations to Coach Rohach as he wins his first title in his last season. Next year Jim Macchione will move up from JVA to Coach Township along with life long assistant Brian Moore. Coach Moore who lives and bleeds Township ice hockey will assist again and although they graduate 11 seniors, they still have Cafisi coming back and waiting in the wings are sophomores Chris Rainey and Richard Vansciver two strong goaltenders. Photos by Art Redd