High School Ice Hockey:
Late Goal Lifts West Into Tie With Cherokee

Monday, January 10, 2000

By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer

Alex Vasserman scored with four minutes left in the game, as Cherry Hill West rallied to tie Cherokee at 2-2 in a penalty filled contest. Cherokee is the Tier 2 division leader, and was playing a West team that has struggled at times this year. But playing in front of their fans at the Coliseum, West played one of their best games of the season.

Sean Zahaczewski scored on the power play in the first three minutes of the game, with Jeff Land getting the assist and Cherokee led 1-0. West would tie the score at 1-1 on the power play when Derek Lapinski deflected in a shot by Kevin Wisniewski. Just as the period expired, Kyle Kelly gave Cherokee the lead at 2-1.

Neither team would score in the second period, as both teams played shorthanded for most of the period. Cherokee had more scoring chances, but West goaltender Bryce VanArsdalen kept them at bay. Then, with just over four minutes remaining, Vasserman broke in all alone and scored to tie the game at 2-2. Cherokee would end the game with a two-man advantage, but VanArsdalen preserved the tie.

Photos by Boog Williams

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