Site Editor posted on November 14, 2008 23:12
Bob Savastano’s second goal of the game with ninety-four seconds remaining allowed Clearview to salvage a 5-5 tie against the Eastern Vikings in a game played before a sparse crowd on Friday night. Clearview built a 4-0 lead against the Vikings as they scored a pair of goals seconds apart on two occasions. First Tim Sullivan, on a good keep at the point, threw the puck on net and it found its way through a maze of players into the net and a 1-0 on the power play. Seconds later Savastano made it 2-0 scoring right after the face-off.
With Eastern not mounting much offense, the lead doubled as once again the View scored twice in a matter of seconds. Joe Tropiano made it 3-0 on a feed from Sullivan and Savastano and Eric Heritage scored unassisted seconds later and the lead grew to 4-0. Entering the third period the lead seemed safe but the Vikings got some life when Darren Plotkin scored on the power play early into the final period to cut the lead to 4-1. That goal gave the Vikings life and when Justin Sperling scored from in close to make it 4-2, Eastern had swung the momentum and realized they were back in the game. At the nine-minute mark the Vikings had an odd man rush and Vince Clementi converted a pass from Josh Weinberg to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Clearview would help the cause as they gave the Vikings a two-man advantage with just under seven minutes left in the game. And the Vikings capitalized as Billy Bascou got the equalizer and the comeback kids were now tied at 4-4. Eastern now seemed to have a jump in their step and Weinberg gave them the lead at the four minute mark. Bascou broke in the zone, got spun around by the defense but controlled the puck and found Weinberg in the slot and his quick shot found the net and the Vikings had scored five unanswered goals to take their first lead. Clearview got a break when Eastern took a penalty in the last two minutes and in a gutsy move Clearview Coach Walters pulled the goalie for an extra attacker and the gamble paid off as Savastano got the tying goal.
Notes: Eastern remains in second place with the tie, one point ahead of Clearview.
Written by Mike Costantino
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