Hollydell Ice Arena Youth Ice Hockey:
Undefeated Devils Blank Mapleleafs To Capture Squirt Manchester Cup

Sunday, March 8, 1998

By Scot Williams
SJSports Staff Writer

In front of a roaring crowd, the Hollydell Devils defeated the Hollydell Mapleleafs 3-0 to capture the Manchester Cup in the squirt division. The good natured cheering by each teams fans was almost as intense as the game being played on the ice. The win concluded an undefeated season for the Devils.

The Devils and Mapleleafs played tight checking hockey to begin the game. The Mapleleafs were awarded the first powerplay at 3:22, but were unable to connect on two scoring chances. The Devils responded to killing off the powerplay with a 2 on 1 breakaway, but were stoned by the Mapleleafs' goalie. The Devils were awarded a powerplay at 7:21, but were unable to put the puck in the net. With a little more than 2 minutes remaining in the period, the Devils broke the 0-0 tie. Shawn Furman stole the puck from the Mapleleafs' forward and broke down the left wing. When he hit the faceoff circle, he fired a shot that beat the Mapleleafs' goalie to the short side giving the Devils a 1-0 lead.

With the first period jitters behind them, the tempo increased in the second period. At 2:54, the Mapleleafs almost tied the score. The Devils' goalie, #34 Bryan Williams (3-0, 0.33 GAA), made the initial kick save on a shot from the slot. The rebound was sitting in the crease, but was cleared to the corner by Devils defenseman #10 Jim Rea. The Mapleleafs continued to pressure, but at 8:44 #30 Andy Rohoach picked up the loose puck in the Devils defensive end. Rohoach went end to end and came in all alone on the Mapleleaf goalie. He faked to his forehand and went to his backhand and slid the puck into the net giving the Devils a 2-0 lead.

Despite the 2-0 deficit, the Mapleleaf did not give up. They continued to apply pressure, but were unable to get on the scoreboard. With a little less than 2 minutes remaining in the second, the Devils' Joe DelRossi intercepted a pass in the Devils' defensive zone. He split the defenseman and went in alone on the goalie. From 15 feet out, he fired a wrist shot that beat the Mapleleafs' goalie high to the glove side giving the Devils their final goal of the day and a 3-0 lead.

The third period featured the Devils' defense. Lead by #44 Mike Kondrala and #10 Jim Read, the Devils prevented the Mapleleafs from mounting any comeback attempt. Both teams played excellent hockey, but the Devils proved to be too powerful in the end and completed their undefeated season with a 3-0 win. As the fans counted down the seconds, the on ice celebration began with equipment flying everywhere.

1st Place - Hollydell Devils

2nd Place - Hollydell Mapleleafs