C-C Saints win on Rossignolo goal

Junior forward Ben Rossignolo scored the game-winner with a second period power play goal as Churchville-Chili defeated Hilton 3-1 in high school hockey.

Hilton took the lead midway through the first period. Jon Schwind fed Steve Fose in the slot and, after Saints goaltender Dan Kuntz stopped the first three shots, Aaron Donahey swept in the rebound for a 1-0 Cadets lead.

The Saints Kyle Easton tied the game in the second period when he raced down the right wing and around a defenseman before slipping his unassisted goal top shelf.

Rossignolo followed with his goal eight minutes later on the power play due to a Hilton major for hitting from behind. Mark Bertolani fed the junior who skated down right wing and put his blast under the crossbar for a 2-1 lead.

In the third period, Phil Evans scored for Churchville-Chili when his slapshot deflected off the goaltender's stick and in the net with less than one minute remaining in the game. EJ Coyne picked up an assist.

"We were a little passive on the power play and that's not something we coach them to do," said Saints head coach Jim Jackson of his team after Hilton took almost 20 minutes in penalties. "We have a lot of things to work on, but everything came out okay today."

Kuntz registered 21 saves in the game for the Saints, who improved their record to 3-1.

"We have a young team, but we had our chances to win," said Hilton head coach John Farnham. "Their goalie played well and we took too many penalties." Hilton fell to 1-2-1.

December 18, 2005