Every year the Central League all-stars compete against the ChesMont all-stars in the annual Hunger Game for league bragging rights. What makes the Hunger Game special is that the ice for the game has been provided for free by Ice Line and the officials have donated their services as well. All proceeds from the game will be donated to food banks in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties to assists their efforts to end hunger. This year did certainly not disappoint! Penncrests Matt Dougherty opened the scoring on a great effort to put the Central up 1-0. However, the ChesMont was quick to respond on a nice set up by Alec Connolly to Aiden Masters. As both team traded chances back and forth the ChesMont was finally able to break through with a terrific goal by Zach Mulholland. Both teams again traded chances back and forth, but the period ended with the ChesMont leading 2-1.

As the second period started the Central was able knot things back up. Lower Merion’s Sam Pitonyak gave Kevin Brown an outstanding stretch pass to send the talented forward on a breakaway. Brown was able to make an outstanding move and tie the game at 2-2. Kieran Green was able to make a flurry of saves to keep things tied at 2. About halfway through the second Downingtown Easts Luca Pisani was able to pick up a lose puck and blast a snap shot to put the ChesMont back up at 3-2. Graham Carpenter was able to set up an exciting third period as he buried a shot home from the slot with 35 seconds in the second to tie the game back up.

Dougherty again for the second time in the game was able to give the Central the lead. This time he was able to go in on a breakaway and place a beautiful shot for his second of the game. However, minutes later the ChesMont was able to knot the game back up as Ryan Nichol was able deposit one in. With the game tied at four both teams were raising their level to get that important go-ahead goal. Furious chances came from both sides. Breakaways and odd man rushes by both teams were still not able to give either team the lead. As the game looked like it may go into overtime Unionville’s Joe Impagliazzo was able to give the ChesMont the 5-4 lead with three minutes to go. With either team able to get that two goal lead the entire game Pisani buried a 2 on 1 to give the ChesMont a knock out 6-4 lead. With the goalie pulled the Central was not going to quit. They were able to get the deficit back to one as Mike Cameron buried a shot home. With goalie pulled again the Central was desperately trying to tie the game up in the last minute. Chances came from all over but West Chester Easts Joe Galitski was able to deny all that came his way. In the end it was Nichol getting his second on an empty netter that would hold as a 7-5 ChesMont win. The real winner of the day, is the Hunger Game was able to raise $500 for the local food banks. Both leagues would like to thank all volunteers involves and everyone that attended/donated.