HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. — Evan Lafata scored twice to lead the East Islip Chiefs (9-9-0) to a 7-3 victory over the Middle Country Cougars (1-16-1) on Sunday night.
Junior Jack Dolson added two goals, including the game-winner early in the 3rd period.
Freshman Landon Musumeci lit the lamp once in a two-point performance.
Junior Dario Baerga picked up his 4th win through 7 starts in goal for East Islip.
Junior Kenneth Bridgeford Jr. made his 9th start of the season for Middle Country.
Senior Ian McGee scored at 7:52 of the 1st period to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. McGee collected a rebound in the slot before rifling it past Baerga.
Lafata potted a power-play goal to tie the game at 6:06 in the opening stanza. LaFata circled the zone before sniping glove side.
42 seconds later, Senior Alex Theodorellis netted his 4th of the season to put the Cougars up 2-1. McGee rolled off the wall, fired a shot on goal, and Theodorellis buried the rebound.
Dolson tied the game at 8:25 in the 2nd period. Dolson circled the zone, moved the puck to Junior Tierny Recenello, and got it right back for a quick shot that beat Bridgeford.
Lafata scored a 2-on-0, breakaway goal, his 18th tally of the season, to give East Islip a 3-2 lead at 4:07 in the second stanza.
45 seconds into the 3rd period, Dolson netted his 2nd of the game and 17th of the season to give EI a 4-2 lead. Dolson helped force a turnover in transition, waltzed into the Middle Country zone, and rifled it far side for the eventual game-winning goal.
Junior Declan Munkwitz cut the deficit to 4-3 at 13:10 of the final frame. Munkwitz dangled into the zone, juking multiple defenders before beating Baerga with a backhanded shot for a highlight reel goal.
Musumeci tallied a shorthanded goal at 9:47 of the 3rd period to put his team back up by two. The freshman phenom forced a turnover along the left wing wall before walking in and ripping top cheddar.
Senior Niko Stavropolous went top shelf off a face off win by LaFata to extend the lead to 6-3 at 6:18 in the 3rd period.
Recenello capped the scoring at 1:29 in the final frame. The junior intercepted a pass in the Cougars zone, walked in, and scored short side to make it 7-3.
Box Score
| Team | Time | Period | Goal Scorer | Assist(s) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Country | 07:52 | 1st | (#22) Ian McGee (4) | Unassisted | Even Strength |
| East Islip | 06:06 | 1st | (#12) Evan Lafata (17) | Unassisted | Power Play |
| Middle Country | 05:24 | 1st | (#92) Alex Theodorellis (4) | (#22) Ian McGee (6), (#5) Declan Munkwitz (7) | Even Strength |
| East Islip | 08:25 | 2nd | (#98) Jack Dolson (16) | (#11) Tierny Recenello (16) | Even Strength |
| East Islip | 04:07 | 2nd | (#12) Evan Lafata (18) | (#59) Christopher Lawlor (6) | Even Strength |
| East Islip | 14:15 | 3rd | (#98) Jack Dolson (17) | Unassisted | Even Strength (GWG) |
| Middle Country | 13:10 | 3rd | (#5) Declan Munkwitz (7) | Unassisted | Even Strength |
| East Islip | 09:47 | 3rd | (#18) Landon Musumeci (7) | Unassisted | Short-Handed |
| East Islip | 06:18 | 3rd | (#93) Niko Stavropoulos (1) | (#18) Landon Musumeci (2) | Even Strength |
| East Islip | 01:29 | 3rd | (#11) Tierny Recenello (11) | Unassisted | Even Strength |
Three Stars Of The Game
| Star | Player | Stat Line |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | (#12) Evan Lafata | 2G |
| 2nd | (#98) Jack Dolson | 2G (GWG) |
| 3rd | (#18) Landon Musumeci | 1G, 1A |
Upcoming Schedule
The East Islip Chiefs (9-9) take on the St. Anthony’s Friars (17-0-0-1) on Wednesday, January 29 at 9:20 pm. The Chiefs have lost both of their games against the Friars this season.
The Middle Country Cougars (1-16-1) will try to play spoiler on Monday, February 3 at 9:40 pm against a Sachem (13-5) squad trying to leapfrog Kings Park/ Commack in the standings. Sachem has won both of their two meetings against Middle Country this season.
