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Articles From The 2010-11 Season
The Wings of Steel sled hockey team held its 4th annual fund raiser at Ramblewood Country Club on Friday April 29th and we were again blessed with excellent weather and the good people that attended in record numbers were amazing. With 192 golfers registered, the 27 holes were almost filled to capacity. With room for only 16 more golfers, we have something to shoot for next year. Once again we had the support of former Flyer greats Don Saleski and Bob Kelly, with WIP’s Brian Startare handling the evening festivities. This being the major fund raiser for the Wings of Steel team, much time and effort is given this outing as planning and preparations start in September.
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With another season come and gone, thought I’d reflect back on some issues we discussed at the end of last season and the beginning of this year. At the end of last season Cherokee was thinking of replacing head coach Mike Sullivan, but at the last minute decided not to make a change. And not only was it the right move, Cherokee went on to win the league championship and made the semi-finals of the Flyers Cup. As Mike would tell you, he’s got a good staff with Scott McKay and Steve Monaghan, and the kids bought into the system. There can’t be any grumblings from the board on this season, good job coaches!!
Cherokee fresh off winning the SJHSIHL Championship continued their streak into the Flyers Cup reaching the semi-finals where they faced top ranked Council Rock South. That’s where the run ended as Council Rock South won 3-1 and advances to the finals against CB East.
Washington Township coming off a strong season in the SJHSIHL came into the Flyers Cup as a #3 seed, and looked to advance into the semi-finals, but strong goaltending by Springfords’ Peter Esslinger, who stopped 37 shots led to a 4-2 defeat of the Minutemen. Sean McCabe scored the lone goal of the first period on the power play as Township carried much of the play but failed to dent Esslinger.
After being denied an opportunity on Saturday to play, Athen Blaine closed out his Wings of Steel career scoring two goals and assisting on one more as the Wings of Steel defeated the Woodbridge Rangers 4-2 in the sled hockey championship game at Iceline in West Chester. The win was the 20th in a row for the Wings and capped off a great season with their second consecutive championship. Blaine scored the lone goal of the first period, with the teams matching lines in a very competitive and entertaining game as the young kids got most of the ice time.
Michael Wilson scored five goals as the Wings of Steel defeated the Vineland Sled Stars 7-1 and advanced to the championship game against the Woodbridge Rangers. The Districts took place at the Iceline Arena in West Chester and despite the early start time of 8:30 AM, the Wings were determined to jump out early, especially in light of the classless act committed by the Vineland coach prior to the game. More on that later.
Ben Basalma scored twice and Eddie Sarin added two goals and three assists as Washington Township defeated William Tennent 5-3 in their opening round game in the Flyers Cup at Voorhees Skate Zone. After Tennent took a 1-0 lead in the opening minutes, Township would tie the game as Sarin would bury a shot from down low on a nice pass from Eric Naccarelli. Early in the second period, on the power play, Justin Cogbill gave Township a 2-1 lead as he scored on a rebound of a shot by Sarin.
Garnet Valley rallied to defeat Shawnee 4-3 in overtime in an opening round game in the Flyers Cup played at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. After a scoreless first period the teams would combine for 5 goals in the second period with Shawnee getting goals from Jesse Pagliuso, Robert Willwerth and Daniel DeMarco. Scoring for Garnet Valley were Bryan Ely and Anthony Bertone. Leading 3-2 going into the third period and without your starting goalies, Shawnee was poised to pull the upset.
Moorestown hosted Methacton at the Skate Zone in Voorhees in an opening round game in the Flyers Cup and lost 5-1 behind two goals from Anthony DiGrazio. Eric Schwartz scored the lone goal for Moorestown. Methacton jumped out to a 1-0 lead just over into minute into the game as Cory Melnick scored. Late in the period DiGrazio scored a power play goal to give Methacton a 2-0 lead.
Macklin Kaiser broke a 5-5 tie scoring the game winner with forty seconds left as Shawnee defeated Cherokee 6-5 to win the JVA Championship in the SJHSIHL. Cherokee entered as the favorite having lost only 2 games all season, but tonight proved to be Shawnee’s night as five different players scored to lead a balanced attack. The teams traded goals in the first period with Mike Peccini giving Shawnee a 1-0 lead but David Mazilli would tie the score in the last 3 minutes of the period.