High School Ice Hockey:
Delran Wins Shootout to Advance to JVA Finals

Friday, February 25, 2000

By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer

They played three periods and two five-minute overtimes, but Delran and Washington Township were still deadlocked at 4-4. Then it came down to a shootout, which is where each team selects five players that go one-on-one with the goalie, and the team that scores the most goals is declared the winner. Delran was successful on two chances as Shamus Savage and Chris Mirabella converted, and Township failed to score. With the win Delran moves on to the SJHSIHL JVA finals to meet Sterling in a best of three series.

The story of this game was the stellar play in nets by both goalies, Mark Stapelkamp for Delran and in particular, Adam Seczech for Township. The only goal scored in the first period came with about five minutes left, as JVA Player of the Year Brad Livingston set up Mirabella. Township's best chance came in the last two minutes when Nick Martorano skated in and beat Stapelkamp, but his shot hit the crossbar. Township would tie the game early in the second when Joby Passanante, who notched a hat trick, scored with assists going to Jason Pelle and Martorano.

Both teams would exchange goals within twenty seconds, Mike Murro for Township and Mirabella for Delran, and we were tied at 2-2 midway through the second period. Livingston would score with just under four minutes remaining, but the lead was short-lived as Passanante converted a great cross-ice pass from Martorano to tie the game at 3-3 heading into the third period. That same combination would give Township the lead at the eleven-minute mark, but Livingston scored on the power play with just under six minutes remaining to tie it at 4-4. It was a shame one team had to lose, but our hats are off to Township for not only a fine season but also a great playoff performance.

Photos by Art Redd & Boog Williams

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