Site Editor posted on February 25, 2009 22:10
Matt McDonald had four goals and two assists and Ryan Welsey chipped in with two goals and three assists as Shawnee came back from a 5-4 deficit with nine minutes left to defeat Washington Township 7-5 in playoff action at Voorhees. Shawnee controlled the first period and led 3-0, scoring twice in the opening two minutes, first McDonald on a break and then Welsey on a wrap around. McDonald added his second goal midway through the period and Shawnee led 3-0. Township was back on its heels and needed a spark to get going.
Matt Fleekop provided the spark as he fought for position in front early in the second period and put home a rebound of a shot by Eddie Sarin. Two minutes later Jonathan Paulo scored for Township and suddenly it was 3-2. You could feel the momentum swinging as now Shawnee was back on its heels and ninety seconds later Township tied the score at 3-3 as Doug Rose scored on the short-side. In the first seven minutes Township had out-shot Shawnee 9-1 and scored three times. McDonald gave Shawnee a 4-3 lead as he scored on the power play late in the period. Township got the equalizer three minutes into the third period as Mike Magee banged home a shot from in tight and we were tied once again at 4-4.
Township took its first lead at the nine minute mark as Sarin, on a great feed from DeAngelo scored on the power play for a 5-4 lead. That lead did not last long, after it appeared that Shawnee had scored a goal that was mistakenly disallowed, McDonald won the draw to Ryan Welsey and his quick shot from the slot beat Mike Stoever for the tying goal. A few minutes later, after a costly Township penalty, Joe Pezzato scored the game winner on the power play with McDonald and Welsey getting the helpers. McDonald added his fourth with two minutes left and Shawnee pinned Township in their own end in the final minutes and skated off with the 7-5 victory.
Notes: Shawnee will meet Cherokee on Friday at Mt. Laurel at 8:20 with the winner to face Moorestown on Monday at Pennsauken. Township saw its season come to an end and despite being the top seed, fell short in their quest for a title.
Written by Mike Costantino