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High School Ice Hockey:
Cinnaminson Falls on Late Goal

Friday, November 30, 2001

By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer

Washington Township scored two goals in the last minute of the game, the game winner by Joe Pelle with thirty seven seconds left that defeated Cinnaminson 7-6 at Hollydell on Friday evening. Nick Martorano led Township with three goals and two assists, Steve Parent led the Cinnaminson attack with three goals. In an entertaining game that saw the lead change hands several times. Cinnaminson proved that they are a team to be reckoned with, having already defeated Clearview and now looking to knock off Township. Parent gave them a 1-0 lead scoring on the power play in the games first minute with the assist going to Anthony Mottola. Township tied the game at 1-1 at the seven-minute mark as Jason Pelle broke in with Mark Capone on a two-on-one and after Pelle's shot was stopped, Capone rammed home the rebound.

Just about two minutes later, Township scored a soft goal as Martorano skated down the left side and had the puck bounce on him. It then deflected off a skate and into the net to make it 2-1. After Tom Davies made it 3-1, Cinnaminson scored a late goal in the period on the power play, this time by Brian Crosby and after one it was 3-2. Each team traded goals in the second period. After Parent tied the score at 3-3, Martorano scored on a breakaway and after two Township still had a one goal lead at 4-3.

Parent again tied the score at 4-4, scoring twenty seconds into the third period, scoring on a back-hander from just inside the circle. However, later in the period Parent would be tossed out of the game for fighting and that would prove costly. Cinnaminson took the lead when Ray Odgers scored after a mad scramble in front of the net and his goal made it 5-4. Just over a minute later with the puck at center ice, Joe Pelle knocked the Cinnaminson defender off the puck and fed Martorano who blasted one from the point. That goal tied the game at 5-5.

When Crosby scored his second power play goal of the game with five minutes left and gave Cinnaminson a 6-5 lead, they seemed to have the momentum. But over the next four minutes Township showed a determination that was not to be denied and Drew Peterson tied the game at 6-6 after tremendous pressure with just over a minute remaining. That would set the stage for Pelle, an important part of this team when he keeps his composure and stays out of the box.

Photos by Joanne Costantino

©2001 South Jersey Sports Online Inc.