Site Editor posted on March 03, 2014 23:13
Cherokee completed its successful season with a thrilling double overtime win as Damon Branche scored in the final minute to give Cherokee a 1-0 win over the EEW. Neither team could score through 54 minutes of play, with EEW having 5 power play opportunities and failing to capitalize, including one 2 man advantage. But the story tonight was the play of both goaltenders. Anthony Maddox for the Chiefs and Mike Verdicchio for the EEW were both outstanding and both pitched a shutout until Branche scored his goal thanks to a nice drop pass from John Butkus.
The Chiefs were the best team during the regular season with a record of 13-1-1 with EEW the only team to have beaten them, and it looked like we were headed to a shootout until Branche scored his game winning goal. The EEW had a great opportunity with time running out as Christian Westenberger broke in all alone but Maddox made his biggest save of the game to keep it scoreless. After a scoreless first overtime where both teams had opportunities, Butkus broke in to the zone and Branche one-timed his pass into the net for the game winner. Congratulations to Coach Sabol and Coach Toran on a great season.
Written by Mike Costantino