Friars Tame Lions

James Aspromonti scored his first two career varsity goals in a three point performance as the St. Anthony’s Friars (10-5-1) scored six goals in the second stanza of a 7-0 victory over the West Islip Lions (4-11-0-1). The rookie netminder, Shane Ryan, posted his second shutout as he picked up win #4 in his fifth start of the year. The freshman goaltender, Tyler Sapoff, kept the game scoreless in the opening frame before being pulled in favor of Braiden Buccino after the Friars fourth goal of the 2nd period. The West Islip senior looked solid in relief, but the Friars found the back of the net two more times in the second stanza and one last time in the final minute of the 3rd period. 

The Friars got the lions share of the scoring chances in the first frame, but Tyler Sapoff stonewalled St. Anthony’s at every turn. Lions captain Ciaran Pollard was able to create some chances in transition, but Shane Ryan made a series of stellar saves throughout the game to keep West Islip off the board.

James Aspromonti scored the eventual game winning goal with 12:56 remaining in the 2nd period. Aspromonti slipped behind the defense on an odd man rush and tapped one home off a pass by James Schendorf. Jack Mancini potted his first of the year to extend the Friars lead to 2-0 with 10:33 remaining in the frame. Mancini rocketed one glove side high from the blue line that beat Sapoff through a partial screen. Forty-nine seconds later Gerard Nealon scored the Friars third goal of the period. Nealon wrapped around the net to create time and space before beating Sapoff short side with a backhanded shot. With 7:36 remaining in the frame, Michael Catizone scored on a shot through traffic to put the Friars up 4-0. The Lions then pulled Sapoff in favor of Buccino. Ryan Leon scored to give the Friars a five goal lead with 5:05 remaining. Leon forced a turnover in the Lions zone, cut towards the right wing dot before firing a shot that beat Buccino short side Thirty-seven seconds later Brody O’Doherty put the Friars up 6-0. O’Doherty came in along the left wing wall and fired a shot over the shoulder of Buccino.

With 12 seconds remaining in the final frame James Aspromonti went backhand-forehand to score a breakaway goal to give the Friars a 7-0 lead. It was St. Anthony’s second consecutive shutout victory and their fifth shutout win of the season. The Lions have now been blanked in three of their last five games with just four goals during that stretch.

Scoring Summary

Penalties by Period

Three Stars of the Game

The West Islip Lions will be back in action against the Ward Melville Patriots at the Rinx on Wednesday January 17th at 9:00 PM. The game is scheduled to take place on the South Rink. In their first meeting of the campaign, the Patriots defeated the Lions 6-2.

The St. Anthony’s Friars will square off with the Longwood Lions at the Rinx on Wednesday January 17th at 9:20. The game is slated to take pace on the North Rink. The Friars defeated the Lions 12-0 in their first meeting of the campaign.