 High School Ice Hockey:
Clearview Beats Township In Penalty Filled Contest
Friday, October 5, 2001
By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer
With the last two league champions playing in front of a packed house of fans, the focus should have been on the players and who will be the team that will be the favorite to win the championship. However, the officials had other ideas as they took control early and often. The game dragged on with the third period, initially being shortened to ten minutes, was called after about five minutes had been played. Oh, by the way, Clearview won 7-2 as Gunnar Fox and Chris Riggs tallied two goals each to lead the attack.
Township scored in the game's first minute as Billy Verdecchio scored on the power play to make it 1-0. Clearview tied the score at 1-1, capitalizing on a two-man advantage near the end of the first period. Early in the second period, Clearview defenseman Nick Vacarino knocked down a clearing attempt and put the puck on net. Fox deposited the rebound and Clearview led 2-1. Riggs and Dave Gooch then scored less than two minutes apart and the lead was at 4-1. After Fox scored his second goal to make it 5-1, Drew Peterson scored on a break to cut the lead to 5-2.
John Probe scored after a scramble in front to make it 6-2 and Anthony Desimone scored in the last minute of the period and after two it was 7-2. Knowing the history of this rivalry and most of the kids knowing each other, a physical third period was anticipated. However you add the sense of frustration from both teams players with the poor jobs the officials did, the result is what happened on Friday night. All in all Clearview looks strong and with solid goaltending should be there at the end.
Photos by Art Redd
        
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High School Ice Hockey:
