Chiefs Comeback Stuns Sachem

Ryan Anatra scored the game winner as the East Islip Chiefs (15-1-2) erased a three goal deficit in a 5-3 victory over Sachem (12-4-1-1). Brody Dickson picked up his eighth win of the campaign for East Islip. Michael DiGirolamo started his twelfth game of the season for Sachem.

Thomas Konkowski scored to give Sachem up 1-0 with 11:47 remaining in the 1st period. Konkowski raced up ice and sniped top shelf from just inside the blue line. Sachem jumped out to a two goal lead courtesy of Chris O’Hea with 10:10 remaining. O’Hea collected the puck in the left wing corner, carried the puck above the face off circle as he cut to the center of the ice and fired a quick shot through traffic. Just 44 seconds later Nick McGuire scored to give Sachem a commanding 3-0 lead. McGuire made a drop pass on the cycle to Richie Bovich as he cut to the net. Bovich completed the give-and-go with a quick pass to McGuire who went forehand-backhand. The East Islip bench called timeout after Sachem scored their third goal in a span of 2:21. Anthony Marazzito scored a power play goal with 3:19 remaining in the 1st period. Thomas Ivers entered the zone, cut to the outside and made a backhand pass to Marazzito who fired a quick shot to beat the Sachem netminder far side. Bryan Slattery made it a one score game with 6 seconds remaining in the 1st period. Anthony Pepe recovered the puck in the slot and made a quick touch pass to Slattery who sniped glove side high from between the hash marks.

A cross-checking major and game misconduct that brought an early end to Anthony Marazzito’s night gave Sachem a five minute power play with 7:03 remaining in the second stanza. East Islip killed off the five minute penalty as well as an extended 5 on 3 advantage for Sachem. With 46 seconds remaining Ryan Anatra scored the game-tying goal. Anthony Pepe found a wide open Anatra in the slot, but the Chiefs leading scorer couldn’t get a quality shot off. Anatra collected the loose puck and scored short side from beneath the goal line.

Ryan Anatra scored the game winning goal on the power play with 11:40 remaining in the 3rd period. Anatra made a cross ice pass to Anthony Pepe who made a picture perfect pass to set up the one-timer. 58 seconds later Anthony Pepe scored a power play goal of his own to give the Chiefs a 5-3 lead. Pepe fired a quick shot from the backdoor off a beautiful backhand pass from Thomas Ivers. Sachem called timeout with 7:05 remaining in the third frame after DiGirolamo was forced to make a beautiful save on a shorthanded opportunity for the Chiefs. Sachem pulled their All-Star netminder in favor of an extra attacker, but a slashing minor put an early end to their hopes for a comeback.

East Islip’s first line of Ryan Anatra, Thomas Ivers and Anthony Pepe played a role in all five Chiefs goals. Pepe was excelllent in the face off dot for EI while playing with pace in a strong two-way performance. Ivers and defenseman Bryan Slattery played a key role in creating zone entries for EI. Jack McGarry and L.J. Lena were rock solid defensively down the stretch for the Chiefs. Sachem came out flying, but the absence of Nyckie Ress was felt down the stretch up front. Chris O’Hea was a standout performer thanks to his speed and skill, while Richie Bovich, Alp Octu and Greg Monthie did a good job of matching up against EI’s first unit. Joe Capece continues to prove his worth as a play driver while Angelo Mascaro and Sean Walsh did an admirable job of containing EI’s high octane offense at 5 V 5. John Golden held down the fort on the blue line while Michael Mattera unable to take a regular shift due to injury, but the loss of Mattera coupled with irregular defensive pairs hurt Sachem down the stretch. O’Hea took some shifts on defense as well when Walsh briefly exited the game. Sachem put the lines in the blender but ultimately couldn’t find the back of the net after EI called timeout.

Scoring Summary

Penalties by Period

Three Stars of the Game

Upcoming Schedule

The East Islip Chiefs will face off against the West Islip Lions on Monday January 29th at 9:40 PM. The Chiefs won their first two games against the Lions this season.

Sachem will look to bounce back into the win column against the Connetquot Sayville BBP T-Birds on Wednesday January 21st at 9:20 PM. Sachem has won their first two meetings with the T-Birds this season.