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High School Ice Hockey:
Clearview Proves They're Still Top Chief as Cherokee Falls

Friday, December 7, 2001

By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer

Joe Smith scored two goals in the last four minutes to snap a 3-3 tie as Clearview beat Cherokee 6-3. With the win Clearview took over sole possession of first place in the SJHSIHL in a game played at Hollydell on Friday evening. Steve Sheridan gave Cherokee a 1-0 lead scoring a power play goal converting a feed from Shawn Zahacewski. It would stay that way until early in the second period when Gunnar Fox put home a rebound of a shot from John Probe to tie the game at 1-1. Probe would also figure in the go ahead goal as he dug the puck out of the corner and hit Chris Riggs in front and his goal gave Clearview a 2-1 lead after two periods.

Bill Dunbar made it 3-1 early in the third period and it appeared Clearview would coast home, but Bill Connolly cut the lead to 3-2, converting a pass from Pat Henderson and Brandon Gould. Now back in the game Cherokee seemed to have the momentum, but with less than six minutes left Clearview went on the power play with a chance to regain their two-goal lead. But Zahacewski intercepted a pass on broke in all-alone, and his short-handed goal tied the score at 3-3. Showing a strong resiliency, Clearview re-took the lead on the same power play as Smith rebounded a shot by Fox and it was 4-3.

With less than two minutes remaining in the game, the same combination worked again as Smith rebounded a Fox miss and put the game out of reach at 5-3. Mike Cargill added an empty net goal to close out the scoring at 6-3 and Clearview had sole possession of first place.

Photos by Art Redd

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