High School Ice Hockey:
Township Edges Triton In Rematch

Monday, December 14, 1998

By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer

Washington Township raced out to a 4-0 lead and had to hold off a furious rally by Triton to win 5-4 in a game played at the Coliseum on Monday night. Tom Paolucci scored thirty seconds into the game to give Township the early 1-0 lead. Four minutes later, Joseph Pelle scored with Township having a two man advantage on the power play and less than five minutes into the game it was 2-0.

In a period dominated by Washington Township, the lead grew to 3-0 as Joe Gori scored on the power play with Tom Paolucci getting the assist. After Billy Verdecchio scored early in the second period to make the score 4-0, Township seemed to lose interest and started taking some silly penalties. When a game misconduct was called on their captain Derek Poletis, Triton took advantage. Mike Dandurmond scored two straight goals for Triton to cut the lead in half 4-2.

Triton scored with ten minutes left in the game to climb within one goal at 4-3. Township goalie Brian Migliorisi held off Triton as they seemed to take the play to Township. With five minutes left in the game after yet another penalty against Township, Triton went on the power play poised to tie the score. However Manny Suriel scored a shorthanded goal to make it 5-3 and that seemed to take the wind out of the sails of Triton. Although they scored a late goal to make the final score 5-4, Township was determined to hold onto the lead. Coach Harrington could not have been happy with his club's performance even though they managed to hang on for the win.