West Islip (VR) edged Longwood (VR) 1-0 in overtime on Friday at The Rinx – North Rink, with James Barbieri scoring the game-winner just 2:33 into the extra session. Andrew Mervyak picked up the lone assist on the play, sending West Islip to a hard-fought victory after 60 minutes of scoreless hockey.
Neither team found the back of the net through three full periods, with the scoreboard reading 0-0 after each frame. The deadlock continued a physical night that saw six total penalties, including two apiece for Mervyak and a pair of infractions on Longwood’s side from Ryan Finamore and Benny Rodriguez. It took overtime to finally decide the outcome, with Barbieri’s goal snapping the tie almost immediately once the extra period began.
Tyler Sapoff earned the win in net for West Islip, recording a shutout by turning away Longwood’s attack for the full 60 minutes plus overtime. Braiden Buccino also saw time in goal for West Islip. Anthony Frega took the overtime loss for Longwood, which continues to search for its first win of the season.
The result improves West Islip to 4-11 while Longwood drops to 0-15, extending the club’s winless campaign. The two sides had met once before this season, a game West Islip won 8-3 back on October 29, and Friday’s tighter finish showed a different complexion to the rivalry. With only a handful of games remaining on the schedule, both programs will look to build on or bounce back from this overtime finish down the stretch.
