East Islip (VR) shook off a slow start to the season, outlasting Northport/Huntington (VR) 8-6 at The Rinx – North Rink on Sunday. The win snapped a run of frustration for East Islip, which entered the day at 1-3, while Northport/Huntington came in having won three of its first four.
Jack Dolson was the story of the night, tallying a hat trick to go with an assist for four points. Dolson opened the scoring with goals at 3:21 and 1:14 of the first period, both set up by Tierny Recenello, and closed the book on the game with an unassisted goal at 2:38 of the third. Jack Fontaine matched him with four points of his own, scoring twice and adding two assists, while Evan LaFata chipped in two goals and an assist, including the eventual game-winner at 8:31 of the third period. East Islip built a 4-1 lead after the opening period and never trailed, despite a wild second period that saw the score shift 2-4 in Northport/Huntington’s favor.
Northport/Huntington mounted a real push behind Owen Karpoich, who finished with two goals and an assist, including a shorthanded tally at 12:02 of the second period. Justin Cahn and Joseph Caruso each factored into three points, and Jose Walter set up two goals without registering one himself. But the third period belonged to East Islip, as LaFata’s go-ahead goal at 8:31 proved decisive before Karpoich answered for Northport/Huntington just over four minutes later, setting up a frantic final stretch that East Islip closed out with Dolson’s third goal of the night.
In goal, Dario Baerga picked up the win for East Islip after taking over, while Patrick O’Shea absorbed six goals against in relief. Northport/Huntington starter Boden Rudloff took the loss after allowing eight goals, with Brett Kostor entering later and not conceding.
The two sides split their season series, with Northport/Huntington having taken the earlier meeting 5-4. With the schedule winding down to just a handful of games remaining for both clubs, East Islip will look to build on this offensive outburst as it tries to climb back toward .500.
