Brian Miller had three goals and Cole Zucker scored twice as the Cherokee Chiefs defeated Conestoga 5-4 and advanced to the finals of the Flyers Cup. The Chiefs, seeded ninth, proved that seeding was way off base as they took the toughest road, playing all games on the road and beating all teams seeded higher than the Chiefs. Cherokee never trailed in the game and took a 2-0 lead late in the first period. Zucker would put home a rebound of a shot by Zach Tiernan with just over three minutes left in the period. Then on the power play Miller notched his first of three on the evening with Zucker and Jason Spieker getting the assists.

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Jonathan Ruiz and Pat Curiale each scored two goals as the North defeated the South 9-2 in the Junior/Senior Showcase game played at Hollydell. After spotting the South a 1-0 lead on a goal by Eric Simone just over one minute into the game the North would score the next eight goals. Kyle Parks began the streak as he put home a pass from Ruiz right along the side of the net, Jason Spieker also assisted. That line created a lot of scoring opportunities all night. Curiale, playing with teammate Garrett Quinn would give the South the lead for good at the eight minute mark as he broke in with Quinn on a 2-on-1. Aidan Zeitz scored an unassisted goal thirty seconds later and the lead was 3-1.

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The Cherokee Chiefs used a four goal third period to defeat Moorestown 5-1 last night before a standing room only crowd at the Skate Zone in Voorhees to win the SJHSIHL Championship for the second straight year. Cole Zucker led the Chiefs with two goals, and Alec Nicolai scored the lone goal for Moorestown. Unlike Monday’s game which started out as a defensive struggle and stayed that way throughout, this game Cherokee had a strong showing offensively in the opening period, but Moorestown goalie Vada Mangum kept the Chiefs off the board. Cherokee had a golden opportunity barely one minute into the game as they went on the power play, and despite generating 5 shots, failed to score.

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Casey Forte had a goal and an assist as Cherokee scored three goals in the third period to beat Moorestown 3-1 and force a deciding game in the Championship Tournament. Most of the game was a defensive struggle with Moorestown leading 1-0 on a goal in the first period by John Yedman.

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Brian Miller scored three goals as Cherokee eliminated Williamstown with a 5-1 win at a packed Hollydell ice rink on Friday night. With the win Cherokee advances to the finals and will meet Moorestown on Monday night. The Chiefs must win 2 games in order to claim their second straight championship. Moorestown completed its run in the tournament undefeated. Miller opened the scoring as he scored on a short-handed breakaway to give Cherokee a 1-0 lead. Tonight it was the Braves failure to convert their power play opportunities, they were 0-6 and gave up a short-handed goal as well.

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Jason Spieker and Dylan Bradley scored two goals each as Cherokee kept its title hopes alive with a 7-2 win over Washington Township. The loss eliminated Township from the playoffs. Spieker, whose picture was scattered throughout the skate zone, as a salute to the senior leader in possibly his last game, opened the scoring on the power play midway through the first period as Cherokee took a 1-0 lead. We stayed that way until Kevin Mello put home a rebound of a shot by Garrett Quinn to tie the score at 1-1.

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As we complete our 14th season covering the SJHSIHL we are pleased to announce our annual award recipients. This year there seems to be more balance throughout the league and with the playoffs upon us we could be in for a few surprises. Listed below are the 2011-2012 winners:

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Facing elimination, top seeded Cherokee had a tough battle against rival Shawnee but was able to pull away in the third period for a 5-2 win. The loss ended the season for Shawnee. Cherokee moves on and will play Washington Township next Monday night. This game was tightly played and with Shawnee coached by Tim Fingerhut they are always in the game. Shawnee struck first as Alex Churchill put them up 1-0 five minutes into the game. Cherokee came right back as Dylan Bradley got the equalizer just fourteen seconds later.

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The SJHSIHL traveled to West Chester last night and played a group of All Stars from the CPIHL and won 8-6. Seven different players scored, with Cole Zucker leading the attack with two goals. The game started out with both teams feeling each other out and with a 20 minute period, the shifts were short and the action did not pick up until late in the period when Jared Hand put the South Jersey team on top with just over two minutes left. That goal seem to open the flood gates as about one minute later Zucker converted a nice feed from Taylor Olson for a 2-0 advantage. Vada Mangum got the start and surrendered just one goal in the final thirty seconds as Kenny Gross scored his first of two on the night to cut the lead to 2-1.

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Determination, desire and a strong will were traits displayed by Jonathan Ruiz last night as Williamstown defeated top seed Cherokee 5-3 in a playoff thriller played at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. In front of a near packed house, the fans were treated to one of the best playoff games in a long time, tight checking, good defense and solid goaltending and good officiating. Ruiz led Williamstown with a het trick; Dylan Bradley led Cherokee with two goals.

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