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. Adam Seitz scored an unassisted goal thirty seconds later and the lead was 3-1.

[Read the rest of this article...]

Doug Sanders scored twice as Washington Township won the JVB Championship over Lenape/RV 5-4 at Hollydell on Friday night. The win capped a season that saw the Minutemen go 14-0-2 during the regular season. Township seemed in control of the game as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first period, but give Lenape/RV credit as they chipped away at the lead. Matteo Jordan opened the scoring just ninety seconds into the game as he converted a pass from Sanders. A few minutes later, Brad Boyson, making a return to the lineup after missing several weeks with an injury, converted a pass from Jordan and the lead was 2-0.

[Read the rest of this article...]

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.

[Read the rest of this article...]

In sports the one of the many sayings is it’s not how you start but how you finish. Look at the Giants, they got hot at the right time and unfortunately are celebrating another championship. Same can be said for the St Louis Cardinals last year. As we look back in the SJHSIHL, we used the last 6 games as a barometer to see who has been hot. Cherokee comes in as the favorite, rightfully so as they are the defending champs and finished atop of the Tier 1 division with just 2 losses. And in their last 6 games have gone 5-1. Clearview has won 4 games in a row and 5 out of 6, with the lone loss coming against Cherokee, a team they defeated earlier in the season.

[Read the rest of this article...]

Jonny Ruiz scored four goals and Jake DiStasio added two as Williamstown opened the playoffs with a 7-3 win over Clearview. The two teams had just played on Friday night with Clearview rallying from four down to win 7-6. But tonight there was no comeback as the Braves played better defense and when there was a lapse; Troy Altbaum was there to shut the door. The Braves jumped out early as Kyle Parks, who had another strong game with a goal and two assists, scored just three minutes into the game.

[Read the rest of this article...]

Washington Township opened its playoff run with a 3-1 win against Shawnee on Monday night in SJHSIHL double elimination action played at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. Ryan McCusker stopped 20 shots, including a penalty shot and Township got goals from Doug Sanders, Jason Smith and Garrett Quinn. After a scoreless first period Mack Kaiser was awarded a penalty shot by referee Tim Holz after being dragged down from behind on a breakaway. McCusker stoned him to keep the game scoreless and about one minute later Sanders scored down low with Pat Curiale getting the assist.

[Read the rest of this article...]

John Garbarino broke a 6-6 game scoring with less than four minutes left in the third period as Clearview rallied from a 6-2 deficit scoring five goals in the final period to edge Williamstown 7-6 in the regular season finale for both teams. The win catapulted Clearview into fourth place, as they win the first tie-breaker against Williamstown, which is most wins. The two teams will meet again Monday night in the first round of the playoffs, at Voorhees at 7:10.

[Read the rest of this article...]

Jonathan Ruiz scored his 100th goal as a member of the Williamstown High School Varsity Ice Hockey Club against Black Horse back in November and has since added 19 more goals. We unfortunately were not aware of this back in November, but are aware now and we congratulate Jonny on this remarkable achievement. In addition to his goal record, Ruiz has also compiled 66 assists in his four seasons with the Braves. Having had his older brother Tom precede him did not seem to put any added pressure on Jonny as he has continued to improve his all around game as he also kills penalties as well.

[Read the rest of this article...]

The tandem of Taylor Olson and Mike Vulpio combined for seven goals and eight assists as Clearview had little trouble in defeating Cherokee II 9-1 in Friday night action played at Hollydell. After a slow start, Clearview scored three goals in the final three minutes of the first period to jump ahead 3-0. Vulpio opened the scoring on a nice pass from Olson down low to make it 1-0. Then on the power play Olson and Vulpio hooked up again with Vulpio notching his second of the night with one minute left in the period.

[Read the rest of this article...]

The EEW got strong goaltending from Shane Lippincott and two goals from Eric Simone as they defeated Washington Township 4-1 in SJHSIHL action at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. Having combined the schools of Eastern, Cherry Hill East and Cherry Hill West to form The EEW, this is a very talented team with strong goaltending and 3 good coaches behind the bench. And although this might have been game #17 for Township on the calendar, I can guarantee you that the EEW had this circled from day one.

[Read the rest of this article...]