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Having been silenced the last few games against Moorestown, Brian Miller exploded last night for three goals and three assists as Cherokee edged Moorestown 6-5 in the opening game of the best of three Championship series played at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. John Yedman led Moorestown with two goals. The game was back and forth in scoring streaks, Moorestown scored the first two goals of the game, Yedman scored late in the first period for the 1-0 lead, a period in which Cherokee carried the play but failed to capitalize on three power play chances. Early in the second period Mike Katz made it 2-0 on a nice feed from Yedman just three minutes in.

Cherokee would go on to score the next five goals to give the Chiefs a seemingly safe 5-2 lead. After Justin Graham would get his first goal of the season to cut the lead to 2-1, Miller picked up a loose puck in the slot and his turnaround wrister found the net and we were tied at 2-2. Johnny Martino gave Cherokee its first lead scoring a power play goal from the side of the net. With just 15 seconds remaining in the second period, Miller put home a rebound and the lead was 4-2.

Right after the opening face-off in the third period Anthony Principato flew down the right side and his first goal of the playoffs gave Cherokee a 5-2 lead. Moorestown began its comeback a few minutes later as Yedman got his second of the night on the power play to cut the lead to 5-3. Chris DeRose made it 5-4 scoring on a break a few minutes later. Eric Schwartz got the equalizer, scoring short-handed with six minutes left and we were tied at 5-5. Miller would get the game winner in the final two minutes with Martino and Anthony Fenu getting the assists.

Notes: Jimmy Witkoski made several huge saves down low stoning both Schwartz and Katz on good scoring opportunities. Boomer Miller sat out this one but will be back for game 2, which should only help the Chiefs offense.

Written by Mike Costantino

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