Hornets Hold Off Marines In Overtime

After a come from behind win in their home opener at Clark Gillies Arena, the Half Hollow Hills Hornets defeated the Long Beach Marines 4-3 in overtime at the Freeport Recreation Center Ice Rink. Half Hollow Hills was without Petey Menaxes, who was tied for the team lead in points before last night’s contest. Benjamin Rachlin scored the game winning goal for the Hornets. Freshman phenom Maddox Franks started his first career NYIHSHL game. The fourteen-year-old netminder picked up the win in a thirty save performance for the Hornets. Mathew Marino got the nod in net for Long Beach. Marino’s stellar play down the stretch allowed the Marines to mount a comeback effort which ultimately fell short.

Joseph Fazio opened the scoring with 11:59 gone by in the first frame. Fazio forced a turnover at the Long Beach blue line, came in 1 on 0 against Marino, and beat the Marines goaltender glove side high to give the Hornets a one goal lead. Just over a minute later, Jonathan Wheeler found the back of the net for Half Hollow Hills. Wheeler buried a rebound that came off a shot from Fazio. After fifteen minutes, the Hornets led 2-0.

Jonathan Wheeler scored a power play goal with 10:55 gone by in the second stanza. The Hornets forward carried the puck around the left side half wall, cut in towards the top of the dot and beat the Marines goaltender short side with a well placed wrist shot. Half Hollow Hills led 3-0 after two periods of play.

With 9:30 gone by in the final frame, Patrick Henry lit the lamp for Long Beach. Richard Behr Jr picked up the primary assist on the play. The Marines playmaker made a beautiful pass to Henry which forced Maddox to slide across the crease. Henry beat the sprawling Hornets goaltender on a quick wrist shot from the back door. With less than five minutes remaining, Quinn Judge scored on a wrap around to cut the Hornets lead to one. Richard Behr Jr scored a buzzer beating goal to tie the game at three apiece with one second left in regulation. Behr Jr scored off of a rebound which came free in the high slot.

With 3:24 remaining in overtime, Benjamin Rachlin scored the GWG for Half Hollow Hills. Rachlin buried a net front rebound off of a shot from Jett Lucas. The Hornets survived the comeback effort by Long Beach, but the Marines stole a point in the process. In their last two wins, Half Hollow Hills has both erased a three goal deficit and survived giving up a three goal lead. The Hornets moved to 2-1 on the campaign. The Marines dropped to 1-1-1 on the year.

Scoring Summary

Three Stars of the Game