Editor posted on February 07, 2011 22:19
Justin Nugent scored twice to help Cinnaminson build a 3-0 lead and then withstood a rally by Lenape to win 4-2 and thus end the season for Lenape. Playing without starting goalie Jackson Burns, who was serving his last game of a 5 game suspension, defenseman Matt Cloud got his second straight playoff start and played tremendous as he faced 38 shots. Cinnaminson took a 1-0 lead at the six minute mark of the first period as defenseman Troy Pawlikowski, who played a strong physical game, made a good play at the point to keep the puck in the zone and slid it to Sean Joyce along the boards and he found Eric Kissinger who’s shot through a screen beat Cloud for a 1-0 lead. Late in the period Nugent scored a short-handed goal to make it 2-0 after one.
With Cloud making several big saves to keep Lenape in the game as the offense would only generate 10 shots through two periods, the best scoring chance came when Zach Spear had a short-handed breakaway, but Anthony Ianuzzi stoned him, and on the rush up the ice Nugent made it 3-0 as he converted on a feed from Garrett, McLaverty. In the final thirty-nine seconds of the period Lenape was awarded a penalty shot as Matthew Ominsky was pulled down from behind on a breakaway, Ianuzzi came up big as he made the save to keep it 3-0 after two periods.
Kyle Young put Lenape on the board less than four minutes into the final period to cut the lead to 3-1, Cloud meanwhile had his best period as Cinnaminson had 3 power play opportunities and failed to capitalize. Then with Lenape on the power play with less than three minutes remaining Young scored his second of the night to cut the deficit to 3-2. Rafferty iced the game in the final minute after being stoned by Cloud on a breakaway; he stayed with the play and eventually banged home the insurance goal to ice the game.
Notes: Great job by Coach Nixon and his staff to keep the game close and wait for your opportunity. They graduate 12 seniors including their top scorer and leader Kyle Young, some big shoes to fill next season.
Written by Mike Costantino
More playoff game photos