High School Ice Hockey:
Clearview Holds On To Defeat East, Advances To Semi-finals

Friday, February 26, 1999

By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer

Led by Rob Coble's two goals and an assist, Clearview withstood a Cherry Hill East rally and advanced to the semi-final round in the SJHSIHL with a 4-3 win on Friday night at Hollydell. The game had the fever pitch of a playoff game as both teams came out hitting with Clearview's John Meenan leading the way, as he seemed to hit everything that moved.

Chad Gunther led the Cougars with all three goals and gave East the early 1-0 lead in the first minute of the game. Clearview tied the score at 1-1 as Mike Gooch scored on the power play with Coble assisting at the seven-minute mark. The trademarks for winning championships are good defense, solid goaltending and a little luck, and on this night. Clearview had all three working.

With the game tied at 1-1 as the second period began, Cherry Hill East got the first break and went on the power play. However, Patrick Sullivan scored a shorthanded goal for Clearview and a 2-1 lead with Ryan Arnold assisting. Less than three minutes later, Coble scored his first from Arnold and Brian Egge and Clearview led 3-1. With their offense now clicking and creating numerous scoring chances, Coble scored his second of the game at the end of a power play and Clearview headed into the third period with a commanding 4-1 lead. Despite being out-shot 18-2 in the period, East goalie Ray Ramsey kept Cherry Hill East's hopes alive.

Gunther's second goal of the game on the power play made it 4-2 with thirteen minutes left and you could sense a comeback was underway. With just over seven minutes to go, East had a two man advantage and Gunther scored to make it 4-3 and still plenty of time left. He scored with one second left on the first penalty. Still on the power play, East had several chances but was led by the tenacious defense played by Greg Fletcher. He seemed to come up with all the loose pucks to ignite his team along with the hitting of Meenan. Clearview held on and will play Lenape in the semi-finals starting Monday night at TROP at 9:15.

Photos by Art Redd