High School Ice Hockey:
Anderson And Verdecchio Lead Township In Romp

Friday, October 8, 1999

By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer

Buddy Anderson and Billy Verdecchio scored three goals each to lead Washington Township to a 9-0 victory over Shawnee in the league opener for both teams. The Minutemen wasted no time as they scored in the first forty seconds of the opening period as Joe Pelle tallied with an assist to Chris Andrews an the early 1-0 lead. Anderson scored his first goal with just over three minutes left in the period as he jumped on a loose puck. With a quick burst up the middle, like a running back exploding through an opening, (not an Eagle back), slapped it home and the 2-0 lead.

Verdecchio opened the scoring in the second period on a nice set-up from Steve Brown and Mike Mazzuca with about five minutes played in the period and it was 3-0. Leading by three, Township kept the pressure on with Joe Gori delivering three solid checks and midway through the period. Anderson scored his second goal with the assist to Scott Singer and it was 4-0. Gori's hard work would pay off as he scored a short-handed goal with just under five minutes to go and Verdecchio added his second goal less than two minutes later and the period would end with Township up 6-0.

Anderson and Verdecchio each notched their hat tricks in the third period and Scott Singer closed out the scoring to make the final 9-0.With the game well in hand, Coach Harrington played both Derek Lucas and Kevin Ciccone in goal and they would share the shutout. Township seems to have more speed this year and although the coach acknowledges this and feels good about his team, "Eastern is still the team to beat," responded Coach Harrington. Although coach is probably right, if they can maintain their intensity level and get solid goaltending, they should improve upon last year's final four appearance.

Photos by Art Redd

* * * Video Clip #1 * * *

* * * Video Clip #2 * * *