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Collins Comes Up Clutch For The Tigers

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Ryan Collins scored back-to-back goals in the third period, once to tie it and once to win it, as the Northport Huntington Tigers defeated the West Islip Lions 6-3. The Northport Huntington Tigers moved to 6-7 on the campaign. The West Islip Lions dropped to 3-10 with their seventh consecutive loss of the season. Connor King continues to impress as he backstopped the Tigers to his third win through six starts this season. Braiden Buccino was stellar in his seventh start of the season for the Lions.  

It was all about the blue liners on Friday Night, as Liam Henshaw tallied one goal and one assist in another impressive showing for the West Islip Lions. Andrew Mervyak, whose older brother Arthur was a key cog for West Islip last season, played a physical two-way game for the Lions. Thomas Albertelli, a mid-season call-up from the JV division, continues to impress in big minutes for the Lions. Austin Ruthkowski played the hard-hitting, two-way game that makes him a Tigers fan favorite. The youngsters, Patrick Schmidt and Maksim Sposato, utilized their impressive speed to suppress scoring chances while playing a solid two-hundred foot game.

Michael Agafonov, who led Northport Huntington in total points last season, scored in his return to the lineup. The goal was mistakenly credited on the league’s scoresheet. The West Islip Lions were without their Captain, Ciaran Pollard, who leads the team in goals and total points this season. The Lions were also without John Kolich, James Rogler, Spencer Jordan, Christopher Castellino, James Johnson and Jackson Allen on Friday Night.

Joe Boeckmann redirected a shot from Maksim Sposato past Buccino with 12:59 remaining in the first frame. Patrick Schmidt recorded his first career varsity point with the secondary assist on the play. Twenty-one seconds later, Finn Wood scored the equalizer off a pass from Liam Henshaw. Michael Agafonov scored a breakaway goal to put the Tigers back up by one with 11:59 remaining in the period. With 8:36 remaining in the frame, Liam Henshaw scored off a rebound to tie the game at 2-2. Gianni Rugiano picked up his first career Varsity point on the assist. Twenty-five seconds later, an interference penalty assessed to Patrick Schmidt put the Lions on the power play. The Tigers successfully killed off the penalty. With 4:49 remaining in the frame, Northport Huntington’s Sean Tittel and West Islip’s William Shields were sent to the box after being assessed offsetting roughing minors. The game remained deadlocked at two after the penalties expired. With 2:15 remaining, William Shields scored a breakaway goal to give the Lions the lead. James Barbieri picked up the lone assist on the play. The speedy winger was a standout performer in a losing effort for his club. The West Islip Lions led 3-2 after fifteen minutes of play. 

The netminders stole the show in the second stanza. After West Islip’s Thomas Albertelli was assessed a two minute minor for slashing with 11:32 remaining in the period, Braiden Buccino shut the door on the penalty kill. With 7:04 remaining, the Tigers were called for too many men on the ice. Fifty-nine seconds later, a slashing call that went against the Northport Huntington’s Ryan Colapinto gave West Islip a 5 on 3 opportunity. After a couple of clutch stops by Connor King, the 5 on 3 came to an abrupt end after J.T. Caruso drew a penalty with 5:34 remaining in the period. Neither team would capitalize on their respective power play opportunities. The Tigers would be on the kill to start the third period after Carter LaCorte was called for holding with fifty-two seconds remaining in the period. 

At the start of the third frame, Sean Tittel committed his second roughing minor of the game after LaCorte exited the penalty box. The Lions couldn’t capitalize on the power play. Ryan Collins went coast to coast and beat Buccino stick side high to tie the game with 7:32 remaining in the third period. Less than two minutes later, Collins buried a rebound to give Northport Huntington a 4-3 lead. With 3:33 remaining, Ryan Colapinto beat Buccino after receiving a beautiful feed from J.T. Caruso. After Buccino was pulled with two minutes remaining in regulation, Colapinto returned the favor by forcing a turnover which led to an empty net goal for Caruso. It was the Tigers fourth unanswered goal of the period.

Scoring Summary

PeriodTimeGoal Scorer (Team)Assist(s)Goal Type
1st12:59Joseph Boeckmann (Northport Huntington)Maksim Sposato, Patrick Schmidt
1st12:38Finn Wood (West Islip)Liam Henshaw
1st10:59Michael Agafonov (Northport Huntington)Unassisted
1st08:36Liam Henshaw (West Islip)Gianni Ruggiano
1st02:15William Shields (West Islip)James Barbieri
3rd07:32Ryan Collins (Northport Huntington)Unassisted
3rd05:48GWG Ryan Collins (Northport Huntington)Sean TittelGame Winning Goal
3rd03:33Ryan Colapinto (Northport Huntington)Joseph Caruso
3rd01:51EN Joseph Caruso (Northport Huntington)UnassistedEmpty Net

Three Stars of the Game

StarPlayer (Team)Stat LinePerformance Summary
1stRyan Collins (Northport Huntington)2 Goals (GWG)The Tigers blue liner scored the game tying goal and game winning goal in a third period comeback.
2ndMichael Agafonov (Northport Huntington)1 GoalAgafonov scored in his first game back with the club and was a force to be reckoned with in his return to the lineup.
3rdJoe Boeckmann
(Northport Huntington)
1 Goal Set the tone with the opening goal of the game, but his two hundred foot game was just as important to the Tigers success.
Upcoming Schedule

A Showdown With Sachem

The West Islip Lions will be back in action against Sachem on Wednesday, January 3rd at 7:50 PM. Sachem won their first meeting 5-1.

A Face Off Against The Friars

The Northport Huntington Tigers will take on the St. Anthony’s Friars on Wednesday, January 3rd at 9:20 PM. In their first meeting, the Friars defeated the Tigers 6-1.

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