High School Ice Hockey:
Township Rallies to Edge Cherry Hill East

Friday, January 15, 1999

By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer

Washington Township rallied from a two goal deficit to defeat Cherry Hill East 4-3 in a SJHSIHL game. This was played Friday night at Hollydell, which Township won despite a natural hat trick by East's Chad Gunther. Township scored first as Joey Gori scored an unassisted goal to get the 1-0 lead with just over three minutes played. However Gunther scored a shorthanded goal to tie the score at 1-1 with just forty seconds left in the period.

East opened the scoring in the second period as Gunther scored on the power play in the first minute and a 2-1 lead. Now with less than three minutes later, Gunther scored an even strength goal. Cherry Hill led 3-1 and seemed poised for the upset. In what proved to be the turning point of the game, with East on the power play, Derek Poletis scored a shorthanded goal with an assist going to Manny Suriel so Township pulled within 3-2. That goal seemed to spark Township and at the eight minute mark, Joey Gori scored his second of the game to tie the score at 3-3.

As the third period started, Washington Township kept the pressure on and three minutes into the period Adam Zaccaria scored an unassisted goal to give his team the lead for good at 4-3. With the win, Township remains in first as they prepare to meet Eastern at the Coliseum on Monday night in what could be a preview of the finals.

Photos by Joanne Costantino