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 High School Schedules, Standings & Stats |
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High School Schedules, Standings & Stats |
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Event Spotlight: Sunday, April 6, 2003 By David W. Unkle What a difference a day makes. Coming into the weekend, Philadelphia needed to capture all six points to secure the Western Conference’s final playoff birth. An inspirational 2-1 overtime win Friday night was tarnished with last night’s 4-2 loss to the Hershey Bears. Yet the hockey gods appeared to be looking down on the Phantoms; Rochester’s 2-1 loss to Syracuse, gave the Phantoms one more opportunity to determine their playoff fate. |
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Event Spotlight: Friday, April 4, 2003 By David W. Unkle Discipline. Focus. Commitment. Playoff bound teams demonstrate these attributes throughout the season; teams that don’t, pull out the stockpile of sports clichés and talk about a better next season. For the Philadelphia Phantoms, next season is this season. And they have two games left to prove that the first eighty wasn’t for naught. |
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Thursday, March 13, 2003 By David W. Unkle The Flyers have thirteen games left in the regular season in which to determine their final position in the Eastern Conference which could determine how long hockey is being played at Broad & Pattison. The recent acquisitions of Dmitri Yushkevich and Claude Lapointe addressed some of the team's need yet firepower was the key ingredient missing from the lineup. Monday's trade which brought Tony Amonte to the Flyers filled a major void for the Flyers. Amonte pulling on the Orange and White for the first time was the big story that everyone knew about. But it was the bigger story that had the First Union Center buzzing before the game started. |
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Monday, March 10, 2003 By Mike Costantino Danny Meyers first period performance kept Eastern in the game and Bryan Schellenhammer scored two goals in the third period as the Eastern Vikings defeated Clearview 7-4 to win the SJHSIHL Championship on Monday night at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. Clearview peppered Myers in the first period, launching twenty shots to just six for Eastern and made stellar saves on Dave Gooch, twice, stoned Bill Dunbar on a break and robbed Chris Riggs from in close. Riggs finally put Clearview up 1-0 putting home a rebound after Wyatt Fox hit the post. Unable to generate much offense in the first period, Eastern was very fortunate to trail by just one. They quickly tied the game as the second period started with the Vikings on the power play. |
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Event Spotlight: Sunday, March 9, 2003 By David W. Unkle Coming off two overtime losses this weekend, the last team the Philadelphia Phantoms wanted to face was Norfolk. For the third game in a row, the Phantoms took a lead into the third period while shutting out their opponent. Philadelphia started the game with the same lackluster performance that created the overtime loss to the 16-42-5-3 Lowell Lock Monsters. |
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Saturday, March 8, 2003 By Mike Costantino Coming off an exciting season that included a strong showing in the SJHSIHL Tournament, the Paul VI Eagles met the Paul VI Panthers, a team from Fairfax County, Virginia in the inaugural series featuring the varsity and junior varsity teams from two schools bearing the same name. The idea was born when a parent involved with the hockey program in Virginia, came across the Paul VI Eagles web site. After contacting club president Barry Isbert, an agreement was made that each year the teams would take turns traveling to the other’s rink and play an exhibition game between the varsity and junior varsity squads. The Eagles dominated the junior varsity game as they won easily 12-3. Most of the team contributed goals as Adam Cantiello, Matt Darnell, Dan Whitzer and Jared Brasten led the Eagles. |
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Friday, March 7, 2003 By Mike Costantino Clearview defeated Cherokee 7-1 on Friday at High Ridge and will now move on to play Eastern on Monday night at Voorhees. In order to win the championship, Clearview must defeat Eastern on Monday and then again on Wednesday. Since Eastern went through the tournament undefeated, they need to just win Monday and be crowned champs. Back to the game…the line of Chris Riggs, Bill Dunbar and Wyatt Fox combined for six goals and eight assists and created scoring chances almost every shift. Dunbar led the way with three goals and Riggs added two. With their power play clicking in the last two games, Clearview took advantage of the extra skater as Riggs put home a rebound of a shot from the point by Nick Vaccarino. |
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Friday, March 7, 2003 By David W. Unkle The Phantoms continue their late season skid giving up the tying goal in the third period and surrendering a power play goal in overtime as the visiting Worcester IceCats stole the game in front of 6,088 fans at the First Union Spectrum. |
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High School Ice Hockey: Thursday, March 6, 2003 By Mike Costantino Another season is in the books and South Jersey Sports Online is proud to announce this years recipients of the annual hockey awards. With new teams, new faces and a new playoff format, its been an interesting and exciting year. Help us in congratulating the winners, as they will receive their awards on Monday night at Voorhees prior to the championship game. Here are the winners: |
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Wednesday, March 5, 2003 By Mike Costantino Clearview scored four goals in the third period to break open a tight game and defeated Washington Township 9-4 in tournament action at Voorhees. Chris Riggs led the Clearview attack with three goals and four assists and Dave Gooch and Mike Sullivan chipped in with two goals each. Mike Duczkowski led Township with two goals. With Township playing in the AAA league this season, it was the first time the teams had met in a meaningful game and unfortunately for their fans, ice time was not available at Hollydell. |
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Tuesday, March 4, 2003 By David W. Unkle The Flyers are playing some of their best hockey as the team finishes the final four weeks of the regular season and much of the credit belongs to goaltender Roman Cechmanek. His eighteenth career shutout with the Flyers came at the hands of the torrid Vancouver Canucks who lost for only the second time in their last eleven games (7-2-2). |
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Monday, March 3, 2003 By Mike Costantino Chris Riggs and Dave Gooch each scored twice as Clearview defeated Paul VI 6-1 at Voorhees on Monday night. The Eagles played without leading scorer Brett Balco who was sidelined with an injury and really missed his leadership. Freshman goalie Eric Lake was spectacular in goal again for Paul VI as he faced fifty-four shots, many form close in and kept his team in the game. After Gooch scored in the games first minute, as he was left alone in the slot. Eli Facchinei tied the score at 1-1 by utilizing his speed and was sent in by Mike DiGennaro whose quick shot found the net. With Lake playing solid, the Eagles went on the power play at around the six-minute mark with a chance to take the lead. But Nick Vaccarino kept the puck in for Clearview and Wyatt Fox fed Riggs down low and he redirected the puck into the short side and Clearview led 2-1. |
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Monday, March 3, 2003 By Mike Costantino Fred Brewer scored his second goal of the game with less than four minutes remaining in the second overtime as Washington Township defeated Cherry Hill East 5-4 to remain alive in the tournament. Township will now meet Clearview on Wednesday night at Voorhees. Playing in front of a packed house and against AAA competition, East gave Township everything they could handle and almost came away with the victory. Louis Stomel paced the East attack with two goals. East scored a power play goal in the games first three minutes as Stomel jammed home a rebound of a shot by James Brown who seemed to be all over the ice. Brewer tied the game at 1-1 as his slap shot from the point found the back of the net. The teams traded shorthanded goals in the second period. First Pat Capone broke in and beat Saunders with a quick wrist shot and then Jon Sacks responded for East as Jay Fitcher sent him in for the tying goal. |
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Monday, March 3, 2003 By Mike Costantino Sean Sullivan scored four goals and Danny Meyers stopped thirty-one shots as the Eastern Vikings advanced to the finals of the SJHSIHL Tournament with a 6-1 defeat of defending champion Cherokee Chiefs. Meyers made at least two unbelievable saves in each period and with each game leaves no doubt as who is the best goalie in the league. Eastern also capitalized on the man advantage, scoring three power play goals, the first came in the last few seconds of the first period as Anthony Orner buried a shot on a feed from Sullivan and Brandon Tunstall. Early in the second period, Rich DeMonte made a nice play at the point intercepting a clearing pass and then ripping a shot from the point that found the net and Eastern led 2-0. |
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High School Ice Hockey: Friday, February 28, 2003 By Mike Costantino Seven different players scored as Paul VI rallied from a two-goal deficit and defeated Timber Creek 7-4 in tournament action played in front of a packed house at High Ridge on Friday night. After goals by Justin Palmer and Matt Carpenter had given Timber Creek a 2-0 lead, Brett Balco got one back for Paul VI on the power play to give them some momentum heading into the second period. When Paul VI looks back on their playoff run, their play in the second period should be one they remember. After Brett Doyle tied the score at 2-2, Paul VI would score three goals in forty seconds to seemingly take control of the game. First Daniel Chambers was sent in by Peter Antinore on a breakaway for a 3-2 lead. Then right after the face-off Antinore was set-up by Rich Ferro and his quick shot made it 4-2. |
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Thursday, February 27, 2003 By David W. Unkle He promised us so much more in the pre-season but this year’s version of the power play looked frighteningly similar to the one that contributed to another early demise for the Philadelphia Flyers. However, that was before the Flyers played a home-home series with the Chicago Blackhawks. |
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Monday, February 24, 2003 By Mike Costantino Anthony Orner broke a 2-2 tie with five minutes left in the game and Danny Meyer's play in goal was exactly what Eastern needed to defeat Clearview for the first time this season, 3-2 in tournament action in Vineland. After a scoreless first period, Clearview scored a power play goal as Bill Dunbar and Jon Probe set up Tom Fritz whose slap shot from the point made it 1-0. Eastern came back moments later as Sean Sullivan broke in all-alone and tied the score at 1-1. Brandon Tunstall gave Eastern the lead at 2-1 as he used the defenseman as a screen as he was skating across the slot and shot the puck along the ice. Clearview had some quality scoring chances, including one by Dave Gooch but Meyers stoned him. Later in the period Clearview scored its second power play goal as Nick Vacarino threaded a pass from behind the net to Gooch and he was able to find the long side and we were tied at 2-2 after two. |
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Monday, February 24, 2003 By Mike Costantino Tom Conner scored with seven minutes remaining in the game to snap a 3-3 tie and help Cherokee roll past Washington Township 6-3. The Chiefs proved they’re not willing to give up their title. Cherokee came out flying in the first period firing twenty shots on goal and scoring three times. Sean Zahacewski put Cherokee up 1-0 three minutes into the game as he one-timed a shot on a feed from Mike Garofolo. Township answered right back as Steve Amato was left unattended in the slot. Bill Connoly gave Cherokee a 2-1 lead as he skated in front and found an opening on the short side and beat Adam Seczech. Cherokee picked the right time to play its best period as they kept firing on Seczech, and Adam responded with one of his finer efforts. |
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Event Spotlight: Sunday, February 23, 2003 By Patrick Williams Falling behind again, the Phantoms stayed behind in Sunday night's 3-0 loss to the visiting Hershey Bears. The Phantoms are now winless in four and sit one point behind Milwaukee for the Western Conference's 10th and final playoff spot. Hershey goal-scorers were Steve Brule, Mark Freer and Jordan Krestanovich. Phil Sauve stopped all 33 Phantoms' shots. |
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South Jersey Youth Hockey: Saturday, February 22, 2003 By Mike Costantino The Hurricanes Mite A hockey team made it to the finals of the Silver Stick National North American Championships before falling short in the title game against the Los Angeles Junior Kings. Just to reach the championship game, the Mites had to defeat four teams, three of which were from Canada and they did so by playing solid defense and good puck movement on offense. Coach Gaudreau along with assistants Mike Siciliano and Bud Robinson as well as team manager Maureen Robinson felt that the kids played awesome and should be proud of their performance. |
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Friday, February 21, 2003 By Mike Costantino With a roster full of mostly underclassmen and facing elimination from the playoffs, Paul VI turned to a freshman to play in nets and delivered a solid performance as Paul VI defeated Cherokee II 5-3 in tournament action at Hollydell on Friday night. Eric Lake, playing in the biggest game of his young career, did not give up many rebounds and the defenseman kept the front of the net clear for the young net minder. Balanced scoring was another factor in the win as five different players scored. After spotting Cherokee a 1-0 lead on a bad-clearing pass that was picked off by Zack Sawyer and deposited into the net, Paul VI responded with some hard work. |
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Friday, February 21, 2003 By Mike Costantino Kevin Schaeffer provided all the offense as Moorestown defeated Williamstown 3-1 in the SJHSIHL double elimination tournament on Friday. Andrew Miller, in goal for Moorestown, was also a factor in ending any hopes Williamstown had of advancing as he stopped thirty-three shots. The biggest stop coming in the last five minutes as he stoned Jared Siganuk on a breakaway. Schaeffer scored the only goal of the first period as he deflected a shot by JT Hooper from the point. After a scoreless second period, Williamstown tied the game at 1-1 as Miller came out to challenge Siganuk from the point and made the save. Ryan Schureman was there to deposit the rebound. |
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Event Spotlight: Friday, February 14, 2003 By Al Cohen The Philadelphia Phantoms rallied from a three-goal third-period deficit with four goals over a span of 4:04 to post a 5-4 victory over the Rochester Americans tonight at Blue Cross Arena. Philadelphia trailed 3-1 after two periods and fell behind by three goals with 11:34 remaining when Radoslav Hecl netted his sixth goal six seconds after Phantoms defenseman Ian Forbes was sent off for cross checking. Jamie Wright, who finished with a season-high three points, began the comeback with 5:55 to play when he slapped in a centering pass from Andre Savage. Defenseman Brad Tiley also picked up the first of three assists for himself on the play. |
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Sunday, February 9, 2003 By Patrick Williams Kirby Law earns his hat tricks. Law's third goal of the game with 33.1 seconds to go sealed a 5-3 victory over the Syracuse Crunch at the First Union Spectrum before 10,043. That third goal was all work from Law. With Syracuse goaltender Goehring off for a sixth attacker, Law fended off two Crunch defenders in pursuit of a loose puck before shoveling the puck into the vacant net. |
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Monday, February 3, 2003 By Mike Costantino Six different players scored as Cherokee opened defense of its title with a 9-1 victory over Cinnaminson. Kevin Magnin led the way with three goals and Sean Zahacewski added two goals. Cherokee scored five goals in the opening period and never looked back to enjoy its biggest offensive output of the season. Just in time for the playoffs as the games will only get tougher. Coach Sabol knows you need solid goaltending, which he received from son Chris, and contributions from everyone. Also scoring for Cherokee was Tom Conner, Tim Missel, Mike Garofolo and Bill Connoly. |
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Monday, February 3, 2003 By Mike Costantino Cherry Hill East won its first round playoff game defeating Paul VI 7-5 at the Skate Zone in Voorhees on Monday night. Playing in their first playoff game at the varsity level, two freshmen made key contributions. Patrick Clancy notched three goals and goalie Stephen Saunders continued his torrid play in nets as East will now play Clearview on Friday evening. Mike DiGennaro scored four goals to pace the Paul VI attack. |
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High School Ice Hockey: Sunday, February 2, 2003 By Mike Costantino As I'm sure you know by now, this year the SJHSIHL will use a double elimination tournament to crown its champion. A change from the normal format and I'm anxious to see how it all plays out. Will the best team from Tier 1, Clearview, be there at the end? Will playing in the AAA league help Washington Township as it competes in the tournament? Can the best team in Tier 2, Cherry Hill East, make some noise? Most of these questions might not be answered until early March, as that is when the tournament is scheduled to end. However, based on the way Clearview finished the season, they are definitely the favorites to win it all. Township, while not very successful in the win column in the elite league playing at a higher level, should help and everything will depend on goaltending. |
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Saturday, February 1, 2003 By David W. Unkle The Philadelphia Phantoms still have the monkey on their back but the load got a little easier as the Phantoms skated to a 3-3 tie in front of 12,081 at the First Union Center. Still mired in the longest winless streak of the season (0-5-1-0), the Phantoms ventured into unfamiliar territory against the Calder Cup Champion, Chicago Wolves. The Phantoms’ record when trailing after two periods of play is 1-13-0-1 coming into this afternoon’s game but demonstrated a willingness to play sixty minutes of hockey. |
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Friday, January 31, 2003 By Mike Costantino Cherry Hill East capped off an almost perfect season with a 7-1 win over St. John Neumann to capture the Tier 2 Championship at Hollydell on Friday night. East finished the regular season with sixteen wins, no losses and one tie and with the victory showed that balanced scoring, discipline and solid goaltending will win championships. Five different players scored for East as James Brown, Mike Danyo, Louis Stomel, Kevin Desrochers and Tim Woods all found the back of the net. Goaltender Stephen Saunders, when called upon, made the saves. Unfortunately as the outcome of the game became less in doubt, some players lost focus on just finishing the game and were more intent on being physical. |
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Friday, January 31, 2003 By Mike Costantino Clearview scored eight goals in the first period paving the way to a 9-1 victory over Eastern in the last regular season game for Tier 1. It marked the second consecutive win for Clearview over Eastern, their main threat to winning the championship. The eight goals was a new team record for one period and the second line did a lot of the damage. All are under-classmen which consists of Bill Dunbar, who had three goals and two assists, Wyatt Fox (two goals and two assists) and Chris Riggs who chipped in with a goal and three assists. Senior forward Jon Probe added three goals. |
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Tuesday, January 28, 2003 By David W. Unkle The annual mid-season swoon appears to be on the horizon. Comparisons between the 2001-02 model and this year's team are different but similar. Former head coach was hung in effigy for not motivating the players and practicing fundamentals. The players claimed that they needed a different type of coach resulting in the demise of Barber and the hiring of Hitchcock. The frightening realization is that there is little change from last year both in roster and performance. Therein exists the problem…and the solution? |
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Event Spotlight: Sunday, January 26, 2003 By Patrick Williams Yesterday's 3-1 Phantoms loss to the Utah Grizzlies contained some key distinctions between the two clubs: The Phantoms were not the team that traveled overnight from Massachusetts. Utah was. The Phantoms were not the team missing two key regulars (Eric Landry and David Oliver). Utah was. The Phantoms were not the team criss-crossing the continent in the midst of a two-week road trip. Utah was. Instead, the Phantoms followed their usual script: Fall behind early. Get into penalty trouble. Get outworked before the opponent seals up another victory. |
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Saturday, January 25, 2003 By David W. Unkle The Philadelphia Phantoms ended their scoreless streak at 165:24 minutes but their offense let them down for the third straight game in a 3-1 loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins in front of 14,762 at the First Union Center. |
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Event Spotlight: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 By Al Cohen Jason Bacashihua stopped all 28 shots he faced to notch his second shutout of the season and lead the Utah Grizzlies to a 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phantoms tonight at the First Union Spectrum. Bacashihua was particularly effective in the first period with 12 saves, including stopping a 2-on-1 rush and a pair of point-blank shots by Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Barrett Heisten and Jeff MacMillan each netted goals during the opening 20 minutes to help Utah open a five-game road trip in successful fashion. |
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Monday, January 20, 2003 By Mike Costantino Chris Riggs had two goals and Mike Sullivan added a goal and two assists to help Clearview defeat Eastern 5-3 at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. With the win, Clearview clinched first place in Tier 1 and the number 2 seed for the upcoming double elimination tournament. Both teams were missing key players. Eastern was without Sean Sullivan and John Piermetti while Clearview skated without David Gooch and Jon Probe. Not having his two top scorers, Coach Sullivan needed contributions from his second and third lines along with strong goaltending and that's exactly what he got. |
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Monday, January 20, 2003 By Mike Costantino Kevin Desrochers scored three goals as Cherry Hill East shut out St. John Neumann 5-0 and finish the season without a loss. The two teams will meet again for the Tier 2 championship on Friday night January 31 at Hollydell. Neumann will have that long to figure out how to generate more offense, as they had a season low ten shots on goal. After a scoreless first period, East scored three goals in a span of four minutes to take control of the game. |
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Friday, January 17, 2003 By David W. Unkle Jim Vandermeer and Joe Sacco scored their first goals as Philadelphia Flyers and Chris Therien score his first goal of the season in a 3-1 win in front of 19,290 fans at the First Union Center. Both teams suffered defeats at the hands of the NHL's worst team, the Atlanta Thrashers in their last outing. Maybe both teams were looking forward to tonight's game as the Flyers fell 7-4 here Monday night and the Canadiens were shutout 1-0 in Atlanta last night. |
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Friday, January 17, 2003 By Patrick Williams PHILADELPHIA - The Phantoms last night were lucky that hockey is only 60 minutes of regulation time. Philadelphia barely eeked out a 4-3 win over the lowly Cleveland Barons at the First Union Spectrum. Antero Niittymaki stopped 28 shots. Sloppy play in the third period allowed the Barons to erase a 3-0 deficit and pressure the Phantoms until the final buzzer. |
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Friday, January 17, 2003 By Mike Costantino Andrew Renzi stopped forty-three shots to help St. John Neumann defeat Cinnaminson 5-3. With the win, Neumann remains undefeated in Tier 2 and has a showdown on Monday night with undefeated Cherry Hill. Neumann led 2-0 six minutes into the game. Mike Policella got them on the board first and Christopher Lanciano, with Neumann on the power play, made a great play to keep the puck in at the point found Mike Brown in the slot. Brown's quick shot made it 2-0. Meanwhile Cinnaminson was launching shots from every angle, but Renzi stood his ground. His best save coming when he stoned Anthony Mottola on a breakaway. |
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Friday, January 17, 2003 By Mike Costantino Joe Mancini's third period goal broke a 2-2 tie and helped Paul VI edge Cherokee 3-2 in Tier 2 action played at Hollydell on Friday night. After a scoreless first period, Paul VI scored two goals in sixteen seconds. First Brett Balco hit Dustin Isbert at the left circle and after the initial save was made by Cherokee goalie Steven McKenney, Mike DeGennaro deposited the rebound and Paul VI led 1-0. Seconds later the same combination scored again, with Isebert getting the goal and Balco and DeGennaro the assists. |
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Wednesday, January 15, 2003 By Mike Costantino They've been together as a team practicing and playing for the last 18 months and come Super Bowl weekend, they will be playing in a tournament that would gain them entry into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Hollydell Hurricanes Mite A team, consisting of 15 boys born between 1994 and 1995, will travel to Michigan to play in the Silver Stick National North American Championships. The round robin tournament consists of teams from across North America, with the winner recognized in the Hall of Fame. |
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Monday, January 13, 2003 By Mike Costantino Goals by Wyatt Fox and Chris Riggs midway through the third period helped Clearview overcome a 3-2 deficit and hold on to beat Shawnee 4-3. Todd Dennison led Shawnee with two goals and David Gooch led the Clearview attack with two goals. Playing by far their best game of the season, Shawnee led most of the game, despite being out-shot 36-11. Dennison scored in the games first two minutes as Jeff Hoffner found him along the left circle and his shot went just under the crossbar. About six minutes later, Dennison broke in and using the defenseman as a screen wristed a shot that found the net and Shawnee led 2-0. |
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Monday, January 13, 2003 By Mike Costantino Sean Sullivan netted a hat trick and Danny Meyers stopped eighteen shots as Eastern blanked Cherokee 5-0 in Tier 1 action at the Skate Zone. Cherokee was unable to generate much offense and when they did, Meyers turned them aside. Anthony Orner added three assists. With the Vikings already up 1-0, Brandon Tunstall slid a perfect pass to a streaking Sullivan and his quick shot beat Chris Sabol and Eastern led 2-0 with the game just over five minutes old. Later in the period, the Vikings converted on the power play as Orner found Sullivan in front and his deflection found the net for a 3-0 lead. |
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Sunday, January 12, 2003 By Patrick Williams PHILADELPHIA - Bottom line, the Norfolk Admirals are a very safe bet when holding a lead going into the third period. Norfolk (24-13-2-3, 53 points) illustrated that point to the Phantoms last night at the First Union Spectrum in a 1-0 win over the hosts. Igor Radulov's second-period goal was enough offense for the Admirals. Veteran goaltender Steve Passmore's 15-save night anchored the Norfolk defense. |
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Friday, January 10, 2003 By Mike Costantino Matt Loftus scored four goals and Andrew Brody added two as LaSalle defeated Washington Township 9-3 in AAA action. After Loftus and Brody gave LaSalle a 2-0 lead, Drew Petersen brought Township back first scoring on a backhander in the slot to cut the lead to 2-1. On the power play, Peterson's blast from the point was deflected home by Nino Cammarata to tie the game at 2-2 after one period. |
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Friday, January 10, 2003 By Mike Costantino Six different players scored goals as the Cinnaminson Pirates defeated the Minutemen of Washington Township 7-3 in Tier 2 action at Hollydell. Trailing 3-2 late in the second period, Cinnaminson tied the game on a goal by Anthony Mottola after Bryan Crosby fed a pass from the corner to Mottola who was stationed along the side of the net. Moments later with the period winding down and Township caught in a line change, Crosby broke in all alone and his quick shot found the net to give Cinnaminson the lead for good at 4-3. |
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Thursday, January 9, 2003 By Patrick Williams PHILADELPHIA - Sometimes you do get something for nothing. Last night at the First Union Spectrum, the Phantoms picked up a point in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The point was handed to the Phantoms, who managed to take the game into overtime despite being outplayed in every facet of the game against a Bridgeport team with only 15 skaters. |
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Tuesday, January 7, 2003 By David W. Unkle After a successful West Coast road trip, the Flyers returned home tonight to take on the hockey's version of the Cincinnati Bengals. Once again played down to the level of their opponent and the Philly fans let them know it at the end of the first period. Tonight's 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres (10-23-5-2, 27 points) was anything but textbook hockey but for the Flyers (21-10-8-1, 51 points), it still keeps them atop the Atlantic Division. |
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Monday, January 6, 2003 By Mike Costantino Eastern erupted for six goals in the second period and breezed by Rancocas Valley 10-2 in Tier 1 action at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. Anthony Orner led the Viking attack with three goals and three assists and Brandon Tunstall, Rich Demonte and Anthony DeFino each added two goals. Jeff Sporer scored both Rancocas goals. Orner scored the only two goals of the first period, the second one with four seconds left in the period as the Vikings converted a 4-on-1 break. |
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Monday, January 6, 2003 By Mike Costantino Jay Fitcher and Louis Stomel each had a hat trick as Cherry Hill East defeated Paul VI 9-2 to remain undefeated in Tier 2 play. Paul VI took a 1-0 lead two minutes into the game as Mike DeGennaro was left all alone in front and the Eagles had the early lead. But Kevin Desrochers' power play goal tied the score at 1-1 when he came over the blue line and blasted a shot that found the back of the net. Less than one-minute later, Brian Buck put home a rebound after Stomel was stopped to put Cherry Hill up 2-1 heading into the second period. |
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Event Spotlight: Monday, January 6, 2003 By Patrick Williams PHILADELPHIA - This weekend, the Phantoms proved they can win with offense or they can win with reliable goaltending and strong work on special teams. Neil Little blanked the visiting Syracuse Crunch, 2-0, last night at the First Union Spectrum. Peter White and Kirby Law provided the Phantoms' two third-period goals. The win was the Phantoms' fourth in a row on home ice. The shutout was Little's second of the season, his previous shutout coming on October 12 at home against Rochester. Little has not allowed a goal in 118:56. |
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Friday, January 3, 2003 By David W. Unkle The Phantoms top line of Mark Greig, newcomer Joe Sacco and Peter White combined for ten points on the night as the Philadelphia Phantoms toppled the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. After being shutout in their two previous games, the offense re-emerged as the Phantoms scored five or more goals for only the fifth time this season and their first such game since a 6-5 on November 22. |
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Friday, January 3, 2003 By Patrick Williams PHILADELPHIA - Bright spots were lacking for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins after last night's 5-1 Phantoms rout at the First Union Spectrum. About the only thing that Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (15-16-2-3, 35 points) can take solace in is the fact that the American Hockey League schedule has only three more meetings remaining with the Phantoms this season. The Philadelphia (14-16-1-2, 33 points) club that split the series' first six matchups with the Penguins entering last night's game has undergone its latest makeover, one that suddenly makes the last-place Phantoms a dangerous opponent. |
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Event Spotlight: Friday, December 27, 2002 By By Al Cohen Peter White and Brad Tiley each recorded two points and Neil Little made 23 saves to lead the Philadelphia Phantoms to a 4-2 victory over the Hershey Bears tonight in front of a season-high crowd of 12,998 at the First Union Spectrum. |
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Event Spotlight: Thursday, December 26, 2002 By By Al Cohen Rookie Jack Baker scored the game-winning goal 1:28 into overtime to lift the Philadelphia Phantoms to a 4-3 victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tonight at the First Union Arena. |
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Friday, December 20, 2002 By David W. Unkle Playing in his first American Hockey League (AHL) game with the Phantoms, left wing Jeff Smith gave the Phantoms a 2-0 lead in the second period; coupled with solid goaltending by Neil Little and offensive support by Jim Vandermeer and Peter White, the Phantoms triumphed over the Hershey Bears, 4-2. |
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Friday, December 20, 2002 By Mike Costantino Mike Gagliano broke a 2-2 tie with his third goal ten seconds into the third period as Father Judge defeated Washington Township 4-3 at Hollydell. Despite having only one win since moving up to the AAA league, Township has been in all but one game and seem to be playing a more disciplined game. Township took the lead as Stephen Amato converted a pass from Chris Keyser and his power play goal made it 1-0. Gagliano stole a clearing pass with just over three minutes remaining in the period and his quick shot beat Dan Straga to tie the game at 1-1. |
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Wednesday, December 18, 2002 By David W. Unkle The story behind the story was the theme last night as the Flyers came from behind with two, third period power-play goals to tie the Dallas Stars 2-2. First off, it was Flyers' Head Coach Ken Hitchcock's 51st birthday and the scheduling gods slotted him to face the team that fired him last winter. |
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Monday, December 16, 2002 By Mike Costantino Trailing 3-0 in the third period, Triton scored four goals, the last coming with an empty net and nine seconds left in the game, to rallied and tie Paul VI 4-4 in Tier 2 action. After Vespe had scored the lone goal in the first period to put Paul VI up 1-0, Rich Ferro found Dan Chambers in front of the net early in the second period to make it 2-0. With just under five minutes left in the period, Mike DiGennaro scored on the power play and the lead was 3-0. Triton scored early in the third period capitalizing on a giveaway as Joe Byrne scored the first of his two goals to make it 3-1. |
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Monday, December 16, 2002 By Mike Costantino Anthony Orner had two goals and two assists and Danny Meyers stopped twenty-five shots as Eastern skated by Shawnee 7-1 in Tier 1 action at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. The Vikings, who are the healthiest they have been all season, are starting to jell as a team. Despite having only two seniors, forward Mike Frohberg and defenseman Joe DiLauro, Eastern is playing disciplined hockey and avoiding the silly penalties. After Rory Levinson put Eastern up 1-0, Orner and Brandon Tunstall, whose injured foot seems to have healed, broke in and Orner's quick shot from the slot found the back of the net and the Vikings led 2-0. |
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Sunday, December 15, 2002 By David W. Unkle Buffalo's Miroslav Satan is a thorn in the side of the Philadelphia Flyers and a hot-handed Satan (5G, 6A in his last six games) playing against the team's back-up goalie when the team was struggling certainly had all the ingredients for trouble. |
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Friday, December 13, 2002 By David W. Unkle If you wanted to compare his personality to former Flyers coaches, the names of Roger Neilson or Terry Murray might pop into your head instead of Mike Keenan or Pat Quinn. John Stevens is soft-spoken and does not use the fire and brimstone approach to win hockey games. He knows what it takes to win have served as Captain on the Phantoms Calder Cup winning team a few years back. After tonight's 6-1 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Stevens displayed emotion rarely seen in the last two seasons. |
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High School Ice Hockey: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 By Mike Costantino We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Mike Pontonio, president of the SJHSIHL and head coach of the Eastern Vikings, and give him the chance to respond to some of the questions the fans have been raising. As most of you know, Washington Township is not in the league this year but will participate in the playoffs. So when was that decided and is that really fair to the other teams in the league? The new chief in charge answered those questions and more. |
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Monday, December 9, 2002 By Mike Costantino Danny Meyers stopped 27 of 28 shots and Eastern defeated Council Rock 3-1 in varsity action at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. Coach Pontonio prior to the game said Eastern had never defeated Council Rock and was hoping to break that streak. Well thanks to Meyers and some excellent penalty kills, its time to start a new streak. With the Vikings down a man, senior defenseman Joe DiLauro broke into the zone and ripped a shot on net that was deflected by Robert Nevitt to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead. |
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Monday, December 9, 2002 By Mike Costantino Scott Frank had a hat trick to pace a balanced attack as Cherry Hill East skated by Cherokee 9-3 in Tier 2 action in Voorhees. East broke open a close game midway through the second period after Cherokee had gotten to within 4-3. The Chiefs had a chance to tie when Jake Davis broke in against East freshman goalie Steve Saunders, but Saunders made the save. On their next rush up ice, Frank converted a pass from Louis Stomel and Jay Fitcher to put Cherry Hill up 5-3 and end any chance of a comeback for the Chiefs. |
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Friday, December 6, 2002 By David W. Unkle In a repeat of last April's successful Break the Ice promotion, the Philadelphia Phantoms and internet dating service Match.com joined forces again to unite singles in the Delaware Valley for a pre-game party and a hockey game between the Rochester Americans and the hometown Phantoms. Last April, over 200 singles turned out in search of that special someone with this years total approaching 250 for a Thanksgiving eve game. |
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Friday, December 6, 2002 By Mike Costantino Archbishop Wood led by Brian and Anthony Fittipaldi defeated Shawnee 8-1 as the SJHSIHL continues it crossover schedule with teams from Pennsylvania. Tom Basehore scored the lone Shawnee goal after David Dinn hit the post on a breakaway; Basehore jumped on the rebound and jammed home the rebound. In the second game played at Hollydell, Washington Township fell to West Chester East 4-1 despite an outstanding performance in goal by Dan Straga. Chris Keyser scored the lone goal for Township, and it was the inability of their power play that ultimately cost them the game. |
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Event Spotlight: Friday, November 29, 2002 By Patrick Williams PHILADELPHIA - Now that Thanksgiving has passed, perhaps the Phantoms can draw up their lists for Santa Claus. Number one on that list should be some goals. Recent games have shown the Phantoms do have an ability to put shots on net. Generating goals from those shots is another story altogether. Peter Budaj's 31 saves in net for Hershey paced the Bears in a 2-0 win over the Phantoms at the First Union Spectrum. The win was the rookie goaltender's first professional shutout. Brian Willsie provided Hershey's two goals in his return from a stint in Colorado. |
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Event Spotlight: Wednesday, November 27, 2002 By Patrick Williams PHILADELPHIA - The season one quarter through, the Phantoms are shaping up as a team that will need to battle for every point. Last night they did just that, surviving a shaky second period en route to a 4-2 win over Rochester before 5,315 at the First Union Spectrum. The Phantoms (8-9-1-2, 19 points) rebounded from a 2-1 loss last Saturday in Bridgeport. Jack Baker and Peter Vandermeer both collected their first goals of the season in the win. Antero Niittymaki contributed 22 saves, as Neil Little remains sidelined with a knee injury. |
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Monday, November 25, 2002 By Mike Costantino Anthony Orner had three goals and three assists to power Eastern to an 11-2 victory over Rancocas Valley. Sean Sullivan added two goals and two assists and Brian Williams stopped 23 shots as Eastern moved to within five points of first place Clearview. The line of Orner, Sullivan and Rubino created numerous chances every time they were on the ice while Coach Pontonio got a glimpse of what that line can do when they stay out of the penalty box. Williams had a solid game, stopping some point blank shots and only giving up two goals, both on odd-man rushes. Aaron Smith and Ray Mellon scored the goals for Rancocas Valley. |
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Friday, November 22, 2002 By Mike Costantino Tom Sheridan's power play goal in the third period lifted Williamstown into a 5-5 tie with Paul VI in an entertaining Tier 2 game. Williamstown was down three goals twice, but led by Sheridan with two goals and an assist managed to salvage a tie with unbeaten Paul VI. After Dan Chambers' wrap around attempt was thwarted by goalie Mike Rodano, Peter Antinore gave Paul VI a 1-0 lead scoring on the power play as he converted a rebound. Rodano played solid at the net despite giving up five goals. Moments later after Williamstown over skated the puck in their own end, Mike DiGennaro jumped on the loose puck and his quick wrist shot made it 2-0. Williamstown responded 11 seconds later as Sheridan dug the puck out from the corner and fired a cross-ice pass to Ryan Carrigan who banged home the pass to cut the lead to 2-1. |
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High School Ice Hockey: Friday, November 22, 2002 By Mike Costantino Doug DeHart scored three goals as West Deptford defeated Washington Township 4-2 in Tier 2 action at Hollydell. DeHart, showing his versatility, scored on a power play, one short-handed and also on an even strength goal. West Deptford led 2-0 after the first period. DeHart would convert a pass from Rob Garish on the power play. Next after Township turned the puck over, DeHart jumped on a loose puck and his wrist shot beat Colin Sheridan who was in nets for the Minutemen. |
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Event Spotlight: Friday, November 22, 2002 By Patrick Williams PHILADELPHIA - Maybe the Phantoms should hit the open market more often. The acquisition of Peter White on November 12 certainly has lent an offensive side to the once-anemic Philadelphia offense. White's goal 2:38 into overtime put the Phantoms past the Milwaukee Admirals, 6-5, last night at the First Union Spectrum. The goal, White's third of the game, came when Milwaukee allowed White out of their sight. White took Mark Greig's pass to the slot and caught Milwaukee goaltender Jan Lasak with a shot. But the shot glanced off Lasak's left shoulder and into the net. |
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High School Ice Hockey: Wednesday, November 20, 2002 By Mike Costantino As we reach the halfway point of the SJHSIHL season, there are a few surprises, mostly in Tier 2. With so many Tier 2 teams, thirteen in all, there are two divisions, the Olympic and American. Cherry Hill East, previously a Tier 1 team, leads the American and St. John Neumann also a previous Tier 1 team, leads the Olympic division. Last years champion of Tier 2, West Deptford has struggled and just recently won their first game. Tier 1 has only five teams since Washington Township left to compete in another league. In an effort to have the five schools in Tier 1 compete at that level, the league has scheduled crossover games with schools from Pennsylvania. |
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Monday, November 18, 2002 By Mike Costantino Danny Meyers stopped 34 shots and Sean Sullivan scored two goals as Eastern rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Cherokee 3-2 in Tier 1 action at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. After a scoreless first period that saw Cherokee out-shoot Eastern 10-5, Tim Missel dug the puck out from the corner and fed Tom Conner in front. His quick shot beat Meyers to the short side and Cherokee led 1-0 twenty seconds into the second period. With the Eastern offense struggling to generate scoring chances, Meyers kept his team in the game. At the ten- minute mark Cherokee's Connelly broke in alone and after Meyers stoned him, Dan Altieri deposited the rebound and Cherokee led 2-0. Eastern did not get their first shot of the period until the seven-forty mark but it resulted in a goal. |
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Friday, November 15, 2002 By Mike Costantino Chris Riggs, Bill Dunbar and Jon Probe scored two goals each as Clearview beat Shawnee 9-1 in Tier 1 action on Friday night at Hollydell. With Shawnee missing their top line and also a top defenseman, the first period was competitive. Probe scored a short-handed goal on a nice pass from Dave Gooch and with eighteen seconds left in the period, Probe scored again this time sent in on a breakaway by Mike Sullivan to make it 2-0. |
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Friday, November 15, 2002 By Mike Costantino Christopher Lanciano had three goals and an assist and Andrew Renzi stopped all 18 shots as St. John Neumann defeated Lenape 9-0 at Hollydell on Friday night to remain undefeated in Tier 2 competition. After Curran McCauley opened the scoring early in the game, Lanciano fed a perfect pass from the corner to Iamurri in front of the net and Neumann led 2-0. Moments after the center ice face-off, Lanciano skated down the right side and his quick shot found the net and Neumann led 3-0 midway through the period. Renzi wasn't tested until early in the second period when Tom Lizzio was alone in front, but Renzi stoned him to keep the lead at three goals. |
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Event Spotlight: Friday, November 15, 2002 By Patrick Williams PHILADELPHIA - The Phantoms made sure that Peter White's homecoming was a memorable one. Philadelphia skated past the Bridgeport Sound Tigers last night, 4-1, at the First Union Spectrum Antero Niittymaki made 17 saves in the win, while Ian MacNeil added a goal and an assist. White had an assist in his first game with the Phantoms since March 5, 2000. Last night's game was the first sign that the Phantoms may be adjusting to the American Hockey League's penalty crackdown, yielding just three power plays to the Sound Tigers. The Phantoms' power play, which had struggled for a good portion of the season, notched a goal against the AHL's top-ranked penalty kill. |
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Event Spotlight: Sunday, November 10, 2002 By Patrick Williams PHILADELPHIA - Undisciplined hockey is en vogue these days at the First Union Spectrum. Those penalties added up to a 3-1 win for the visiting Hamilton Bulldogs over the Phantoms last night at the First Union Spectrum. The hosts surrendered 11 power plays in the loss. Hamilton's two power play goals were the difference. Ty Conklin had 25 saves in the Hamilton net. Fernando Pisani contributed a goal and an assist for the Bulldogs. For the Phantoms, meanwhile, Mark Greig's four minors and Chris McAllister's trio of minors summed up their night. |
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Friday, November 8, 2002 By Mike Costantino David Gooch scored twice as Clearview defeated Cherokee 5-2 and increased their lead to five points over last years champion. With only five teams in Tier 1 this year, Clearview is making a statement early on as the team to beat by winning 7 of their first 8 games. Gooch scored the only two goals of the first period, the first at the eight-minute mark picking up a loose puck in the left circle and beating Cherokee goalie Chris Sabol. Three minutes later Gooch made it 2-0, lifting a backhander into the top shelf on a feed from Jon Probe. |
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Friday, November 8, 2002 By Mike Costantino Coming off a season where they were the champions of Tier 2, West Deptford has gotten off to a slow start. Winless in their first five league games, The Eagles rebounded with Friday night's 3-1 win over Lenape by receiving strong goaltending from Brendan Jordan and two goals from Brian Monihan. Joe Cavicchia scored just over one minute into the game, the only goal of the period where neither team could generate much offense. |
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Event Spotlight: Wednesday, November 6, 2002 By Mike Williams PHILADELPHIA - The Phantoms were like that groggy, sluggish kid with the dazed look from high school in the first few minutes of Wednesday morning's game. The remainder of the game for the hosts was much different, however. The Phantoms played the role of the bright-eyed and eager honors student perfectly. The result was a 7-2 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on School Day at the First Union Spectrum. Mark Greig's power play goal late in the second period helped the Phantoms to a 3-1 lead, and they never looked back. |
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Monday, November 4, 2002 By Mike Costantino Paul VI fought back from a 3-0 deficit scoring three goals in the last two minutes of the second period and went on to defeat Timber Creek 5-3 in Tier 2 action played in Voorhees. Jim Mayfield scored both goals in the first period. The first converting a rebound of a shot by Ray Zola, and then with his team down a man, he walked in from the corner and his quick shot found the net. After one period Timber Creek led 2-0. Zola made it 3-0 with just over three minutes left in the second period maneuvering through the defense and ripped a shot just under the crossbar. With time winding down, Paul VI finally broke through on a 3-on-1 and Mike DeGennaro on a nice feed from Brett Balco, cut the lead to 3-1. |
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Monday, November 4, 2002 By Mike Costantino Matt Loprete scored three goals and Brandon McCarty added two as Cherokee rolled over Shawnee 9-1 in SJHSIHL action played at the Skate Zone in Voorhees on Monday night. After a scoreless first period, Cherokee scored four goals in the second period, three in less than 3 minutes and all on odd-man rushes. Tim Missel put Cherokee up 1-0 converting a 2-on-1 as Mick Scian created the opportunity with great hustle. Moments later McCarty picked up a loose puck at center ice and broke in alone beating the goalie with a quick shot and a 2-0 lead. |
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Event Spotlight: Friday, November 1, 2002 By David W. Unkle NEW YORK - Through the opening month of the 2002-2003 regular season, National Hockey League games have featured more offense, greater flow and faster finishes as the result of strict enforcement against interference/obstruction infractions and the implementation of "hurry-up" line change procedures. Through Oct. 31, NHL Clubs had played 150 of the scheduled 1,230 games, and the data gathered from those contests reflect a jump in scoring to 5.6 goals per game through 150 games this season compared to 5.4 per game through as many games last season. |
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Event Spotlight: Friday, November 1, 2002 By Joe Klueg Philadelphia Flyers forward Donald Brashear will be featured on ESPN's NHL Cool Shots' "Player Profile" segment on Wednesday, November 6, at 1:00 p.m. Fans will be able to get to know how different a person Brashear is off the ice, compared to the player who skates for the Flyers, included is a look at his three horses, Armani, Herbert and Layla, and his yellow Lamborghini Diablo. See how he beat the odds to become a force in the National Hockey League and find out how important family is to him. |
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South Jersey Ice Hockey: Monday, October 28, 2002 By Mary Rose Faustman Click Here To Continue |
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Monday, October 28, 2002 By Mike Costantino Shawnee and Eastern played to a 5-5 tie in SJHSIHL action on Monday night at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. After battling the league leader Clearview last week with a shortened bench, Coach Pontonio welcomed back some key players. Sean Sullivan would score twice and Anthony Orner notched a goal. Jeff Hoffner paced Shawnee, who was looking for their first win, with two goals. After Sullivan scored a short-handed goal to give Eastern a 1-0 lead, Hoffner tied the game at 1-1 after picking off an errant pass. |
| Event Spotlight: Cleveland Outskates Phantoms, 6-3 Sunday, October 27, 2002 By Mike Williams PHILADELPHIA - This weekend, the Phantoms proved there are many ways to lose a hockey game. A hockey team can surrender leads of 3-0 and 5-3, like the Phantoms did Saturday night in Hartford. A club can also fall behind early on home ice, climb back, and then lose the game in the third period, much like the Phantoms did twice this weekend at the First Union Spectrum. The Phantom chose a slow death on Sunday night, dropping a 6-3 decision to the visiting Cleveland Barons. |
 High School Ice Hockey:Clearview Holds on to Beat Cherokee Friday, October 25, 2002 By Mike Costantino After jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first period, Clearview needed an empty net goal by Jon Probe to secure a 4-2 win over Cherokee. Played in front of a sparse crowd on Friday night at Hollydell, Clearview dominated the first period playing to their strength, which is forechecking and speed. Mike Sullivan gave Clearview a 1-0 lead picking up a loose puck in the slot, after some good pressure to keep the puck in the zone. Late in the period with each team skating four skaters, Nick Vacarino threaded a pass to Chris Riggs, and his breakaway goal made it 2-0. Just over a minute later and still skating four aside, Probe setup Brian Smith in front and Clearview led 3-0 after the first period. |
 High School Ice Hockey:Third Period Rally Falls Short as Township Loses to East Friday, October 25, 2002 By Mike Costantino Cherry Hill East built a five-goal lead and had to hang on. Township rallied with four goals in the third period, but fell short in a 6-5 loss in Tier 2 action at Hollydell on Friday night. Andrew Rovinsky led Cherry Hill with two goals and an assist; John Candelori paced the Township attack with two goals. Defensive breakdowns led to the first two goals as Rovinsky broke down the left side and after being stopped on his first shot, put home his own rebound to make it 1-0. Late in the period East broke in 3-on-1 with Louis Stomel setting up Mike Danyo and a 2-0 advantage. |
| Event Spotlight: White Returns to Haunt Phantoms, 3-2 Friday, October 25, 2002 By Mike Williams PHILADELPHIA - It was fitting that Friday night at the First Union Spectrum was Halloween Night, because a former Phantom returned to haunt his former team. Peter White's goal early in the third period snapped a tie, helping the Norfolk Admirals to a 3-2 decision over the Phantoms. The win lifted the Admirals to a 5-0-0-1 record for the 2002-03 campaign, despite the Admirals failing to capitalize on two five-minute power plays late in the second period. |
 High School Ice Hockey:Clearview Edges Eastern to Remain Unbeaten Monday, October 21, 2002 By Mike Costantino Clearview had four different players score led by David Gooch who had a goal and two assists as Clearview defeated Eastern 4-3 in SJHSIHL action at the Skate Zone in Voorhees on Monday night. With only nine healthy bodies available for Eastern, they received a strong performance in goal from Dan Meyers and goals from John Piermetti, Anthony Grey and Brandon Tunstall. After Gray scored early in the first period to give Eastern a 1-0 lead, Gooch broke in with Mike Sullivan. With no defenseman back, Gooch had enough time to draw Meyers over and made him commit, Gooch slid the puck to Sullivan for a tap-in and a 1-1 game. |
| South Jersey Ice Hockey: Boardwalk Bullies Week in Review Monday, October 21, 2002 By Mary Rose Faustman Tied 1-1 at the end of the first period, the Bullies were a vibrant force for the remaining two frames and handily defeated the Wheeling Nailers by a final of 8-2. Led by right wing Scott Matzka, whose five points included an unassisted goal 11 seconds into the second period, the Bullies offered little room for the Nailers to stage a comeback. Recent acquisition Carl Corazzini tallied his first and second goals as a member of the Bullies. Ryan Mougenel picked up a rebound shot by Luke Curtin, dished it to Corazzini in the slot, and the former Providence Bruins forward one-timed it over the glove of Nailers netminder Mike Valley for the game winner. |
| Event Spotlight: Phantoms Drop 4-1 Decision at Wilkes-Barre Brunel Scores Lone Goal for Philly Saturday, October 19, 2002 By Al Cohen The Philadelphia Phantoms lost their first game of the season tonight as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins scored four unanswered goals in a 4-1 decision at the First Union Arena at Casey Plaza. Philadelphia had won its first two games of the 2002-03 season, including Friday's 5-4 triumph over the Penguins at the First Union Spectrum. The loss was just the fourth in 17 all-time matches in Wilkes-Barre and ended a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1) vs. the Penguins. Neil Little, who shut out Rochester in his first start of the season a week ago, made 20 saves for Philadelphia. His counterpart Sebastien Caron stopped 28 shots to notch his AHL-leading third victory of the year. |
 Event Spotlight:Phantoms Edge Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 5-4 Savage Records Four Assists, Greig Scores Twice in Win Friday, October 18, 2002 By Al Cohen Andre Savage tied team records for most assists in a game and period, and Mark Greig scored a pair of goals as the Philadelphia Phantoms posted a 5-4 victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins tonight at the First Union Spectrum. Savage registered three assists, Greig tallied both his goals and Guillaume Lefebvre contributed a goal and two assists during a first period that featured seven total goals. Savage later helped set up John Slaney's game-winning goal in the second period to match the Philadelphia record for most assists in a game (4), established several times. |
 High School Ice Hockey:West Deptford and Triton in Defensive Struggle Friday, October 18, 2002 By Mike Costantino In Tier 2 action at Hollydell on Friday night, Triton's Sullivan scored a power play goal with just over a minute remaining to lift Triton to a 2-2 tie with West Deptford. Triton seemed to have the perfect formula... "Good Defense"! The Mustangs were led by senior defenseman Matt Biddle with strong goaltending by Steven Colbert and exceptional penalty killing. |
 High School Ice Hockey:Gooch Leads Clearview Through the Valley Monday, October 14, 2002 By Mike Costantino David Gooch had two goals and assisted on two others and John Probe added two goals and one assist as Clearview defeated Rancocas Valley 6-3 in SJHSIHL action at the Skate Zone in Voorhees on Monday night. Gooch opened the scoring early in the first period, as Probe sent him in on a breakaway and Gooch's quick shot put Clearview up 1-0. Just over a minute later Nick Vaccarino put home a rebound following another odd-man-rush, and Clearview led 2-0. Clearview seemed to be a step quicker and their speed created numerous scoring chances. |
| South Jersey Ice Hockey: Boardwalk Bullies Week in Review A.C. Hockey Club Opens Season With Two Wins Monday, October 14, 2002 By Mary Rose Faustman Friday the Boardwalk Bullies defeated the Roanoke Express, 4-3, in a shootout. Down 3-2 at the end of the second period, Bullies left wing Luke Curtin tied the game with 11 seconds remaining in regulation. After a scoreless overtime period, Jade Galbraith defeated Express goalie Evan Lindsay on the first Bullies attempted penalty shot, securing the victory after Scott Stirling turned aside four Roanoke shots. Stirling finished the game with 23 saves. All three Roanoke goals came on the power play, while Stefan Rivard tallied the lone power-play goal in 12 opportunities for the Bullies. One hundred twelve penalty minutes were handed out, including three 10-minute misconducts. The Bullies are 2-0-0 in season openers since relocating to Atlantic City last year. |
| Event Spotlight: Phantoms Take Opener, 1-0 Saturday, October 12, 2002 By Mike Williams Hockey during the 2002-03 season is supposed to be about opening up the flow of the game, about letting skill and finesse take center stage. At least that is the plan. But the hockey on display in Philadelphia on Saturday night instead resembled the sluggish, defensive variety so prevalent in recent seasons. The Phantoms did manage a meager bit of offense, though, and it was just enough to defeat the Rochester Americans, 1-0. A opening night crowd of 7,595 at the First Union Spectrum saw Mark Greig's one-time blast with 29 seconds to play on Saturday night provide the difference. |
 Event Spotlight:Phantoms Open Season With 1-0 Win Over Rochester Greig Scores Game-Winner with 29.8 Seconds Left in OT Saturday, October 12, 2002 By Al Cohen Neil Little stopped all 29 shots he faced and Mark Greig scored the lone goal of the game with 29.8 seconds left in overtime as the Philadelphia Phantoms opened the 2002-03 season with a 1-0 victory over the Rochester Americans tonight at the First Union Spectrum. |
 High School Ice Hockey:Mottola and Cahill Lead Cinnaminson over Triton Friday, October 11, 2002 By Mike Costantino Anthony Mottola had a goal and two assists and Pete Cahill added two goals and an assist as Cinnaminson breezed by Triton 5-0 on Friday night at Hollydell. Kevin Kloss faced only eighteen shots in nets in posting the shutout. Brian Crosby, who scored the first of his two goals, opened the scoring in the first period. After Mottola controlled the puck behind the net and fed Crosby who skated unguarded in front and went top-shelf to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead. Cinnaminson carried much of the play in the period and with just over two minutes left, Cahill and Billy Longo broke in 2-on-1. After the initial save, Jake Fillmyer deposited the rebound into the net to make it 2-0. |
| Event Spotlight: Phantoms Announce 2002-03 Roster Tuesday, October 8, 2002 By Al Cohen The Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League revealed their 22-man roster for the upcoming 2002-03 season today at their annual Meet the Team Media Luncheon and Press Conference. The event was held at Bullies Sports Bar & Restaurant inside the First Union Spectrum. |
| Event Spotlight: Phantoms Defeat Albany & Norfork in Preseason Play Tuesday, October 1, 2002 By Al Cohen The Phantoms improved their preseason record to 2-1 last week with a pair of shutout wins. On Thursday afternoon at the Continental Airlines Arena, defenseman David Harlock scored twice in a 4-0 victory over the Albany River Rats. Jeff Smith and Peter Vandermeer each added a goal, while goaltenders Antero Niittymaki and Dave Stathos combined to stop all 16 shots they faced. The win avenged a 5-4 loss to the River Rats on Sept. 21. |
 South Jersey Ice Hockey:Boardwalk Bullies Offer Tryout to Local Talent Linwood Resident Will Join the Bullies in Training Camp Beginning Sunday Tuesday, September 24, 2002 By Mary Rose Faustman ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the East Coast Hockey League offered a training camp tryout to forward Alex Guerrina, it was announced today by Bullies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Mike Haviland. The 6-0, 200-pound winger from Linwood, N.J., last played with the Atlantic City Vikings, a high school club team in the area. Last season, the Vikings won the "B" Division in the CanAm Games in Montreal, Quebec. |
 High School Ice Hockey:Cherokee Begins Defense of their Title with a Win Monday, September 23, 2002 By Mike Costantino Sean Zahacewski netted three goals and Brandon Gould added a goal and two assists to lead the defending champion Cherokee Chiefs to a 7-3 win over Rancocas Valley in the SJHSIHL opening game at Voorhees on Monday night. With both teams spending most of the game killing penalties, each team was whistled for fourteen, neither team could generate much of an offense. Gould started the scoring in the first ten seconds of the game as he connected on a pass from Kevin Magnin. Then on the power play, Magnin made it 2-0, after Gould was stopped on the initial shot, Magnin put home the rebound. |
| Event Spotlight: Phantoms Drop Preseason Opener, 5-4 Saturday, September 21, 2002 By Mike Williams VOORHEES - Phantoms head coach John Stevens termed the Phantoms' 2002-03 preseason opener as a "reference point". A useful term, especially after Saturday afternoon's 5-4 loss to the visiting Albany River Rats at the Sovereign Bank Skate Zone. Stevens will be able to point to rookie center Patrick Sharp's two goals and to his club's power play, which generated two goals. |
| South Jersey Ice Hockey: Boardwalk Bullies Re-sign Right Wing Caudron Forward's Rookie Season Highlighted by Offense and Strong Playoff Performance Thursday, September 19, 2002 By Mary Rose Faustman The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the East Coast Hockey League re-signed right wing J.F. Caudron, it was announced today by Bullies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Mike Haviland. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. |
| South Jersey Ice Hockey: Boardwalk Bullies Re-sign Forward Matzka Last Season's Team Rookie of the Year Returns to Atlantic City Thursday, September 19, 2002 By Mary Rose Faustman The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the East Coast Hockey League re-signed forward Scott Matzka, it was announced today by Bullies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Mike Haviland. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. |
 South Jersey Ice Hockey:Jaguars Win Philadelphia Silver Stick Regional Tournament Sunday, September 15, 2002 By Tom Basehore Jaguars Midget A team won the Philadelphia Silver Stick Regional Tournament Midget A division on Sunday with a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Quakers. The team now plays in the North American Championship January 17th-19th in Sarnia, Ontario. The Jaguars went 5-0, defeating the Delco Phantoms (Delaware County Pa), Ramapo Saints(Ramapo, NJ), East Coast Eagles (Raleigh, NC), American Eagles (Brick, NJ) and the Quakers allowing only 3 goals while scoring 21 goals. The Jaguars play in New Jersey Youth Hockey League, their home rink is Highridge Ice Arena in Gibbsboro NJ. |
 Event Spotlight:Flyers Sign Forward Simon Gagne to a Two-Year Contract Wednesday, September 11, 2002 By Joe Klueg The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have signed 6'0", 190-pound forward Simon Gagne to a two-year contract, according to club President and General Manager Bob Clarke. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed. "We think that Simon is one of the better young players in the game and certainly has a chance to be a terrific player in the National Hockey League for the Flyers," said Clarke in making the announcement. "We waited a long time, me and my family, to get a deal and I'm very happy that we were able to get it done before training camp," said Gagne. |
| South Jersey Ice Hockey: Boardwalk Bullies Sign Center Spadafora Former Everblades and Titans Player Adds Playoff Experience Wednesday, August 28, 2002 By Mary Rose Faustman The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the East Coast Hockey League signed free agent center Paul Spadafora, it was announced today by Bullies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Mike Haviland. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Last season, the 23-year old from Hamilton, Ontario, played 52 games with the Florida Everblades, recording 27 points on nine goals and 18 assists. In six playoff games with the 'Blades, Spadafora contributed five points on two goals and three assists and racked up 26 penalty minutes. |
| Event Spotlight: Phantoms to Donate 2002-03 Fund-Raising Proceeds to National Adoption Center Wednesday, August 28, 2002 By Al Cohen The Philadelphia Phantoms today announced that proceeds from their fund-raising efforts during the 2002-03 season will be dedicated to the National Adoption Center. Since 1972, the NAC, a private, non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, has found families for more than 19,000 children across the United States. |
| South Jersey Ice Hockey: Goalie Stirling Returns to Bullies Netminder Holds Franchise Record for Most Wins in a Season Saturday, August 24, 2002 By Mary Rose Faustman The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the East Coast Hockey League re-signed goaltender Scott Stirling, it was announced today by Bullies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Mike Haviland. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Last season, the 25-year old from Hull, Mass., set a franchise record for most wins in a season with 24. He appeared in 42 games and posted a 24-12-3 record with a 2.74 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. Stirling also played five games for the Peoria Rivermen registering a 2.00 goals against average, a .923 save percentage, and a 4-1-0 record. |
| South Jersey Ice Hockey: Boardwalk Bullies Announce 2002-03 Regular Season Schedule Opening Night at Boardwalk Hall Set for Friday, Oct. 11 Against Roanoke Saturday, August 24, 2002 By Mary Rose Faustman The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the East Coast Hockey League announced its 2002-03 regular season schedule today. Matchups include five home and five road games against intrastate rival Trenton Titans, and first-time visits from the Pee Dee Pride and the newly relocated team in Lexington, Ky. |
 South Jersey Ice Hockey:Local High School Goalie Practices with Flyers and Phantoms Players Thursday, August 22, 2002 By Brad Park With the end of summer comes the beginning of the Flyers Rookie Camp at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. They were in need of a goalie for their scrimmage, so they asked Eastern High School and Bantam AA goalie Bryan "Teebs" Williams to participate. Only two current Flyers were on the ice, Marty Murray (on the ice the entire time) and Eric Desjardins (appearing at the end), joined by ex-Flyer Peter White. One of the players from the Phantoms was Joe Depenta, who stayed around and stood in front of Williams for some nice photos by Pedro Cancel. |
| Event Spotlight: Phantoms Sign Former Boston University Standout Jack Baker to AHL Contract Friday, August 9, 2002 By Al Cohen The Philadelphia Phantoms today announced the signing of right wing Jack Baker to an American Hockey League contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed. Baker, 22, joins the Phantoms after a solid four-year career at Boston University, where he totaled 43 goals and 48 assists in 137 games. As a senior last season, he ranked second on the team in points (28), goals (15) and shots (99), and tied for first in game-winning goals (3). |
| Event Spotlight: Phantoms Sign Ben Stafford & Eric Betournay Wednesday, July 24, 2002 By Al Cohen The Philadelphia Phantoms today announced the signings of centers Ben Stafford and Eric Betournay to American Hockey League contracts. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed. |
 Event Spotlight:Philadelphia Flyers John LeClair Named The Sporting News' 2002 No. 1 Good Guy In The NHL Tuesday, July 23, 2002 By Joe Klueg Philadelphia Flyers left wing John LeClair has been named The Sporting News' 2002 No. 1 Good Guy in the National Hockey League. "I am extremely honored to receive an award such as this," said LeClair. "It gives me great pleasure to be able to help those less fortunate." For the fourth consecutive year, The Sporting News has selected the No. 1 Good Guys in pro sports -- those athletes in the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and NASCAR who have the biggest hearts, who give back the most to the community, who are the most willing to serve the needy and unfortunate. |
 High School Ice Hockey:Eastern Vikings are Kings in Spring Thursday, July 11, 2002 By Mike Costantino Hockey in warm weather? Are you kidding me? Well hockey is one sport that is played almost year round, from house leagues to travel teams to league play. At the Flyers Skate Zone the Eastern Vikings won this years' edition of the Spring Varsity League despite starting slowly. With head coach Mike Pontonio watching from the sidelines, assistant Steve Rumbos runs the team, along with assistance from former NHL defenseman Wayne Gibbs. |
| Ice Hockey Coverage from 2001-2002 Season |
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