The Cherry Hill High School East Boys Varsity Ice Hockey team defeated Holy Lenape Valley (HLV) with a score of 10-2 on January 22 at the Flyers training facility, Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, New Jersey. As this team combines Cherry Hill East, Cherry Hill West, Haddonfield, Collingswood, Haddon Heights, and Springfield High School students, the Cougars had the upper hand in the game, bringing talent from all different schools in the area.

“For other schools, playing Cherry Hill is one of the biggest games of the season,” said Coach Ed Amon, the varsity coach for the East Boys Hockey Team.

With a 2-0 lead and goals scored by Ethan Mills (‘24) and Darin O’Dell (‘24) in the first five minutes of the game, East was already on the road to success. The Cougars faced HLV on January 8 earlier this year and tied 2-2, making this win so major.

“Hockey has its ups and downs. We tell our players before every game ‘Let’s not be our own worst enemy’ and ‘business as usual,’” said Coach Amon.

East had a shutout the second period and slid two more goals into the opposing net, further contributing to their lead. Coach Amon believes that by the boys getting so many goals early on, their confidence was boosted and it set the tone for the rest of the game.

“HLV always gives a good game, that’s how it has always been. You know, we have tons of pressure, we have won for the past four years,” said O’Dell, a permanent captain for the team.

Tensions began to rise as the game advanced, as a heated fight broke out between opposing players, Daniel Pearson (‘24, East) and Louis Ferrara (HLV). Referees tried to break up this altercation but struggled as the players remained in each other’s faces in a standoff. Finally, they were broken up with the help of other players on the ice trying to protect their teammates. They were both punished with a ten minute penalty for misconduct.

“Every game obviously has competition so there’s going to be a bit of bad blood. Everyone wants to beat us because we’re the top team right now and have a target on our backs, so they all give us their best shot,” said rotating and supporting Captain, Ryan Jaffe (‘24).

However, the Cougars did not let the aggression get to them and displayed good sportsmanship throughout the game. Mirroring the turnout of the first period, East scored another four goals and only allowed one more shot to successfully reach their net during the second period.

“We came together as a team. It was a better feel on the bench, all the guys were all into it and there was a lot of support throughout the whole thing,” said O’Dell.

This is a huge victory for the Cougars and is one for the books. Coach Amon urges students to come support for senior night when they play against the Riverfront Raiders on February 2 at the Flyers Skate Zone at 8:45 p.m.