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High School Ice Hockey:
SJHSIHL Double Elimination Tournament Begins

Sunday, February 2, 2003

By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer
mcostantino@sjsports.com

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.

Cherry Hill East has the size and depth to compete with the Tier 1 teams and has used three goalies this year, led by freshman sensation Stephen Saunders. I think they will surprise most people. Eastern has the best goalie in Dan Meyers and a great first line with Orner, Sullivan and Tunstall, but needs some other players to step up. Listed below are the seedings, games start on Monday February 3:

  1. Wash. Twp. I (WTI)
  2. Clearview (CL)
  3. Eastern (ER)
  4. Cherokee (CKI)
  5. Rancocas (RV) or Shawnee (SN)
  6. Rancocas (RV) or Shawnee (SN)
  7. Cherry Hill East (CE)
  8. St. John Neumann (JN)
  9. Holy Cross (HC)
  10. St. Paul VI (PVI)
  11. Williamstown (WI)
  12. Timber Creek (TC)
  13. Cinnaminson (CN)
  14. Moorestown (MO)
  15. Cherokee II (CKII)
  16. Triton (TR)
  17. Lenape (LP)
  18. West Deptford (WD)
  19. Wash. Twp. II (WTII)

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