High School Ice Hockey:
Sabol and Gould Help Cherokee Upset Eastern
Monday, October 30, 2000
By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer
Chris Sabol stopped forty-three of forty six shots and Brandon Gould scored two goals, including the game winner with one minute remaining as Cherokee upset previously unbeaten Eastern 4-3. After a scoreless first period where Eastern could only generate six shots on net, Eastern came out and controlled play early in the second. Coach Pontonio in his usual quiet manner, pleaded with his team to shoot the puck. But Sabol, who was our choice last year for JVB player of the year, stood tall and seemed to frustrate the Eastern players.
Cherokee broke out on top as Tim Edwards converted a pass from Gould and led 1-0. Eastern's best scoring chance came when Mike Becker broke in all-alone but was stoned by Sabol. Finally at the four-minute mark, T.J Connolly blasted a shot from the point that was deflected in by Brett Piccotti to tie the game at 1-1. Thirty seconds later Becker broke in again and this time beat Sabol to the stick side and Eastern led 2-1 heading into the third period. Again Becker broke in and wristed a shot that beat Sabol and Eastern led 3-1.
Cherokee, which has just moved up to Tier 1 after finishing in first place in Tier 2 last year, showed a lot of poise and maturity as they responded thirty seconds later cutting the lead to 3-2 as Mike Koszyk converted a pass from Pat Henderson. After being ousted rather handily in last year?s playoffs, Cherokee gained more confidence as Sabol once again stoned Becker on another breakaway. Edwards then tied the game at 3-3, connecting on an odd-man rush with Sean Zahaczewski that was assisted by Dan Reddner. You could sense the momentum was now with Cherokee. With just over a minute left, Henderson slid the puck to a streaking Gould who deflected the puck in the net and gave Cherokee a much deserved 4-3 victory.
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