Site Editor posted on February 20, 2012 23:14
Alec Nicolai scored five goals, including two on the power play as Moorestown defeated Williamstown 8-6 and advances to the Championship round. Jonathan Ruiz scored four goals in a losing effort. Moorestown controlled most of the game offensively as they kept continued offensive pressure on goalie Troy Altbaum. After Nick Gomez gave the Braves a 1-0 lead just ninety seconds into the game, Moorestown would score the next three goals in less than three minutes to lead 3-1.
Nicolai, John Yedman and Mike Katz scored the goals as Moorestown took the lead for good. Ruiz would add one late in the period to cut the gap to 3-2 after one. Nicolai added two goals in the second period just about three minutes apart to increase the lead to 5-2 midway through the period. Ruiz would add a shorthanded goal late in the period to cut the deficit to 5-3 after two. Katz notched his second goal of the game, scoring short-handed on a great feed from Nicolai to increase the lead to 6-3. Ruiz got that one back on a pass from Jake DiStasio to cut the lead to 6-4 and the Braves had some life. But Nicolai scored his fourth of the night on the power play to give Moorestown a three goal cushion at 7-4, the game seemed out of reach.
But give Williamstown credit, they bounced back with two goals in a span of fifteen seconds, one by DiStasio on the power play and one by Ruiz, his fourth, suddenly it was 7-6. Nicolai iced the game scoring an empty net goal in the final seconds to steer Moorestown into the Championship round.
Notes: Moorestown, going undefeated in the winner’s bracket, needs only to win one game. Either Cherokee or Williamstown, whichever team makes it must win 2 games in order to claim the Title.
Written by Mike Costantino
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