Hollydell Ice Arena Youth Ice Hockey:
Midget Manchester Cup - Hollydell vs. Strong Island

Sunday, March 8, 1998

By Gary Finigan
SJSports Special Correspondent

The battle for the 4th Annual Manchester Cup for the Midgets pitted host Hollydell against Strong Island. In a closely fought contest, Strong Island defeated Hollydell 4-2 to capture the crown.

In the first period the lone score came from Hollydell's forward Rich McHale. Defenseman Chris O'Brien took a shot from the point and McHale tucked the rebound in from the slot for the 1-0 lead.

The second period saw Strong Island come back to tie the score at 1-1. With 4:48 remaining, forward Macedo took a shot from center ice and a bouncing puck got past the Hollydell goaltender.

In the third period, with the cup on the line, the scoring pace picked up. Just twelve seconds into the period, Hollydell's forward Ron Golden scored. His slap shot from inside the right circle beat the Strong Island goalie on the glove side high for the 2-1 lead. With 6:01 to go, Strong Island came back. Defenseman Norchi received a pass from forward Louerde and lifted a backhander into the short side to tie the game at 2-2. Strong Island took a 3-2 lead at the 2:39 mark. Forward Macedo scored his second goal of the game on a wrist shot from the left face off dot. Forward Steve Brown picked up an assist on the play. With just 59 seconds remaining in the game, Strong Island scored to lock in the victory. Forward Delaney, in the middle of traffic at the goal crease, lifted the puck over the goalie for the insurance goal. The game ended with Strong Island holding the lead at 4-2 and the title for the 4th Annual Manchester Cup for the Midgets.

1st Place - Strong Island

2nd Place - Holleydell