Site Editor posted on January 20, 2012 22:52
The EEW got strong goaltending from Shane Lippincott and two goals from Eric Simone as they defeated Washington Township 4-1 in SJHSIHL action at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. Having combined the schools of Eastern, Cherry Hill East and Cherry Hill West to form The EEW, this is a very talented team with strong goaltending and 3 good coaches behind the bench. And although this might have been game #17 for Township on the calendar, I can guarantee you that the EEW had this circled from day one.
We looked back over the last four years and for a team with eight seniors playing on either Eastern or Cherry Hill, they had never beaten Township and tonight was their last opportunity. Earlier in the week we spoke to Coach Dan Wood and he was very confident in his team and with a bold prediction, guaranteed a win. And by the play of the EEW early on you could tell by the intensity they really wanted this game. The EEW took a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game as Simone controlled the puck behind the net and found Jared Hand in the slot and he deflected the pass into the long side of the net and the EEW had the lead.
Less than one minute later Nicky Bascou broke down the right side with Jordan Hutnik on a 2-on-1 and after Ryan McCusker made the initial save, Hutnik put home the rebound for a 2-0 lead. Late in the period Township got one back as Matteo Jordan would score his first goal of the season to cut the lead to 2-1 after one. After a scoreless second period, with Lippincott stoning Doug Sanders on a break with about five minutes left the EEW was fifteen minutes from the biggest win of the season. Simone would give them a 3-1 lead as Bascou once again created the scoring chance and Simone putting home the rebound just over three minutes into the third period. Lippincott came up big once again at the seven minute mark as Sanders broke in alone but Lippincott made the save to keep it 3-1. With Township down to the final minute, they pulled McCusker for an extra skater, but Simone deposited a shot from center ice into the empty net to ice the game.
Notes: Both Coach Desrochers and Coach Pontonio felt strongly about their chances before the game but now must be wary of a letdown as they come right back on Monday night against Cinnaminson. Also of note looks like Coach Pontonio took our advice and donated the jacket he wore in the Moorestown game to the Goodwill, looked much more dapper tonight.
Written by Mike Costantino
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