East Islip (VR) improved to 12-1 on the season with a 5-3 win over Smithtown/Hauppauge (VR) on Monday at The Rinx – North Rink, riding a four-point performance from Thomas Ivers. Ivers scored twice and added two assists, helping East Islip erase an early deficit and pull away in the third period.
Smithtown/Hauppauge struck first when Gavin Bareham buried a shorthanded goal just 1:50 into the game, assisted by Brendan Landrigan. East Islip answered immediately, with Anthony Marazzito converting a power-play chance at 2:04 off a feed from Ivers, and Ivers himself cashing in on the man advantage at 6:55 to make it 2-1 through one. The second period saw four goals change hands, starting with Bareham’s second of the night on the power play to tie it, before Ivers struck again at 13:11 with helpers from Ryan Anatra and Anthony Pepe. Robert Trites answered for Smithtown/Hauppauge on a power play of his own, setting up a tense finish to the frame until Anatra buried the go-ahead goal with 1:05 left, assisted by Pepe and Ivers.
Luke LaFata added an even-strength goal at 6:55 of the third period to give East Islip some breathing room and seal the final margin. Brody Dickson picked up the win in net for East Islip, allowing three goals, while Patrick Ryan took the loss for Smithtown/Hauppauge after allowing five.
The result continues a strong campaign for East Islip, which entered the night at 12-1 and has now outscored Smithtown/Hauppauge in two of their three meetings this season, including a 6-6 tie back on Oct. 30. Smithtown/Hauppauge, sitting at 8-4 entering the contest, will look to regroup as the schedule winds down with just a handful of games remaining for both clubs. The two sides are slated to meet again on Feb. 14, when Smithtown/Hauppauge will look to salvage the season series.
