High School Ice Hockey: Third Period Outburst Sparks Cherokee Monday, February 24, 2003 By Mike Costantino SJSports Staff Writer mcostantino@sjsports.com 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. With the period winding down, Connoly picked off an errant pass, sent in Mick Scian and his quick shot put Cherokee up 3-1 after one period. The second period saw Township capitalizing on the man advantage, scoring two power play goals to tie the game. Drew Petersen’s blast from the point made it 3-2 and Carl Orth tied the game at 3-3 with Township on a five-minute power play. After Conner scored midway through the third period, Township kept the pressure on but Chris Sabol made the saves when he had to. Goals by Kevin Magnin and an empty net goal by Mike DePerro kept Cherokee undefeated in the tournament. Photos by Art Redd

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