High School Ice Hockey:
Holy Cross Tops Shawnee 4-3

Monday, January 25, 1999

By Gary Finigan
SJSports Special Correspondent

The Holy Cross Lancers and the Shawnee Renegades battled at the Coliseum for first place in Tier 2 of the South Jersey High School Ice Hockey League. Both teams played a fast offensive game with the Lancers earning a 4-3 victory and sole possession of first place. John Zdrojewski led the Holy Cross attack with a goal and one assist while Paul Cordivari picked up two assists. Dan Rybeck scored two of the Renegades' three goals.

The first period started with an early goal scored just 1:16 into the game. The Lancers' John Zdrojewski won the face off from the right side getting the puck to John Clark at the top of the circle. Clark fired a low shot past Shawnee goalie Charles Rodrigo. Holy Cross went up 2-0 midway through the period. Starting the rush in the defensive zone, Brian Holland passed to a racing John Zdrojewski. Skating down the right wing Zdrojewski moved in tight to beat the Shawnee net minder for the goal. The Renegades narrowed the margin to 2-1 with 1:28 left in the period. Working the puck down low, Dan Rybeck scored from the left face off circle. Chris Nase and Derek Megargel picked up assists on the play.

In the second period, both teams continued to move the puck well, with each team generating several scoring opportunities. A Shawnee penalty gave Holy Cross the break they were waiting for. With 2:02 left in the period, and only seconds remaining on the penalty, Phil Cordivari controlled the puck in the left corner. Cycling the puck to John Marino in the left circle, Marino moved in close and lifted the puck over Charles Rodrigo for a 3-1 lead. Shawnee missed a golden opportunity on their own power play chance. Only 20 seconds remained on the clock when Lancer goalie J. R. Fergenbutz, extending across the goal, stopped a loose puck with an outstretched glove hand.

Third period action started with the Renegades still on the power play. Shawnee controlled the opening face off and moved into the offensive zone. Bryon Sundberg moved the puck to Derek Megargel low in the left corner. Rushing the side of the net, Megargel bounced a shot of the defenseman to cut the lead to 3-2. Holy Cross continued to be called for penalties and the momentum shifted to the Renegades. Controlling the puck in the offensive zone, Chris Nase fed a pass to Dan Rybeck just inside the right circle. Rybeck fired a wrist shot past J. R. Furgenbutz for a 3-3 tie. Derek Megargel also assisted on the play. With the score tied, and first place on the line, both teams picked up the action. At the 7:30 mark, Holy Cross scored what proved to be the game winner. Down low in the slot, Phil Cordivari somehow got the puck to Frank Lapore who slapped home the game winning goal. With the final score 4-3, Holy Cross moved to the top of Tier 2 of the SJHSIHL.

Shots on Goal: Shawnee 30 - Holy Cross 30

Photos by Gary Finigan