High School Ice Hockey:
Gloucester County Clinches Berth In Tournament Final

Friday, April 7, 2000

By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer

Pat Sullivan had two goals, Eddie Marker had a goal and three assists to lead Gloucester County to a 6-4 win over Camden County in the SJHSIHL round robin tournament. With the win, Gloucester clinches a spot in the finals and will await the winner of the Burlington County versus Camden County game on Wednesday night at High Ridge, the new rink in Gibbsboro. Camden County's Brendan Ramsey was spectacular in goal and his play in the first period was the main reason they led 1-0, despite being out-shot 14-5.

Sean Johnson scored the only goal of the period with Chris Hartung assisting, but early in the second Marker tied the score at 1-1 on a nice feed from Joe Pelle and Gunnar Fox. Gloucester kept the pressure on and would fire nineteen shots on Ramsey for the period, and with just over nine minutes remaining Pelle gave Gloucester their first lead at 2-1. That lead would last less than three minutes, as a hustle play by Vince Galasso kept the puck in and Hartung rammed home the rebound and we were tied at 2-2.

Sixty-eight seconds later Mike Wonton gave Burlington the lead at 3-2 and with Ramsey frustrating Gloucester's high power offense. That lead would hold until the last twenty-three seconds of the period. Sullivan used his speed and on a pass from John Meenan tied the score at 3-3. Sullivan and Meenan would score goals one minute apart midway through the third, both set-up by Marker and Gloucester had some breathing room at 5-3. Eric Marano scored on a break with three minutes left to make it 6-3, and in the last minute Mike Staszewski tallied for Camden County to make the final 6-4.

Photos by Art Redd