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2003 Season

 

 

 

 

Wednesday - March 10, 2004 GAME RECAPS

 

NAPERVILLE CENTRAL HAS NO PROBLEM WITH YORK

By Aaron Brown

 

Naperville, IL -- The season could not have started any better for #9 Naperville Central, as they improved to 2-0 on Wednesday night with a 12-4 victory over York.

 

Six different players scored for the Redhawks, as they took the lead on a Matt McNichols goal just over a minute into the game. York was held to just four scoring chances in the first quarter, but they scored on three of them. Bill Waychunas tied the game at 1-1 with 1:37 left in a 6-on-5 situation. Naperville responded as Pat Leclair drew a 4-meter penalty while driving towards the goal just thirty seconds later, and Kevin Bell slammed home the penalty shot to put the Redhawks back on top 2-1. York was able to score again on a powerplay with 0:36 on the clock as Tyler Cruse scored his first goal of the season. After a turnover, York's Time Letizia gave the Dukes their first and only lead of the game with a breakaway goal with just 0:09 left.

 

York (0-1) held that lead until 4:53 remained in the first half, when McNichols scored on a drive after a beautiful lead pass from Kevin Bell to make it 3-3. On their next chance, Don Lambka missed on a powerplay shot, but McNichols slammed home the rebound to give the Redhawks a 4-3 lead. Central's goalie Corey Stein made a big save to keep the Redhawks on top, and McNichols assisted Pat Leclair on a goal with 2:37 left in the half to put Naperville up 5-3. Don Lambka scored for Naperville off a Bell miss during a 6-on-5 opportunity to give them a 6-3 lead. York responded with a goal from two-meters from Andrew McClintock with 0:11 left. However, Bell stole York's momentum going into the half, launching a half-court shot that whipped past York's goaltender Rich Pasquesi to give Central a 7-4 lead.

 

Naperville Central took over in the second half, as the Redhawks defense did not allow another goal the rest of the way. Derek Wilson scored his first goal of the game from the point to make the score 8-4. They also scored on a two-meter backhand shot from Brian Luth and ended the quarter leading 9-4. Meanwhile, York failed on two powerplay opportunities, including a turnover after Letizia drew an ejection and was left unguarded in front of the Redhawks' goal.

 

In the fourth quarter, Wilson was credited with a goal after two York defenders pushed the ball away from him and into their own net. Bell then scored on a left-handed shot from the right corner during a 6-on-5 situation and followed that with an assist to McNichols to end the scoring run for the Redhawks and put the finishing touches on a 12-4 victory.

 

McNichols scored four goals and Bell had three to lead Naperville Central in scoring. Wilson added two scores and Leclair, Lambka, and Luth all had one goal apiece. Cruse, Letizia, McClintock, and Waychunas all had one goal for the Dukes.

 

Naperville Central heads to Aurora for games against Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, and Von Steuben on Saturday. York's next matches are also on Saturday as they host both Lyons Township  and McHenry.

 

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