Waylon Helfer delivered a masterclass performance with three goals and three assists, leading Cold Spring Harbor MS to a dominant 9-1 victory over Manhasset/Great Neck/Port Washington MS at Ice Works on Sunday. The junior forward’s six-point explosion highlighted a balanced offensive attack that saw the Seahawks score at least one goal in every period while maintaining their stranglehold atop the NYIHSHL standings.
Chase Lawniczak matched Helfer‘s hat trick heroics with four goals of his own, including the game-winner just 8:08 into the opening frame. The duo’s chemistry was evident early as Helfer assisted on Lawniczak‘s first tally before capping the first period with his own goal at the 49-second mark, staked by helpers from Henry Whelan and Thomas Cotek. The 3-0 advantage after 15 minutes set the tone for what would become a comprehensive dismantling of the tri-town squad.
The second period belonged entirely to Cold Spring Harbor as they unleashed a five-goal barrage that effectively ended any hopes of a Manhasset/Great Neck/Port Washington comeback. Helfer recorded two more goals during the frame while continuing his playmaking excellence, adding assists on Whelan‘s second tally of the game. The offensive onslaught showcased the depth of a Seahawks roster that entered the contest with a league-best 12-2 record and showed why they’ve been the class of the middle school division.
Emmanuelle Stein was rarely tested in net for Cold Spring Harbor, facing just 10 shots while posting a solid .900 save percentage. Meanwhile, Ethan Wang battled valiantly for the tri-town team but was overwhelmed by the relentless Cold Spring Harbor attack, surrendering nine goals on 34 shots. The shot disparity told the story of territorial dominance as the Seahawks controlled play from the opening faceoff.
John Drouzas provided the lone bright spot for Manhasset/Great Neck/Port Washington with his third-period goal, assisted by Matthew Marino, preventing the shutout and giving the 8-5 squad something to build upon. However, Lawniczak answered immediately with his fourth goal of the afternoon to cap his own hat trick performance and restore the eight-goal cushion.
The victory further solidified Cold Spring Harbor’s position as the team to beat in the NYIHSHL, with Helfer’s season totals now reflecting his status as one of the league’s premier scorers after entering the game with 36 goals and 20 assists in 14 games. With playoff positioning on the line, performances like Sunday’s demonstrate why the Seahawks have established themselves as the gold standard at the middle school level.