Kirby Comes Up Clutch

T-Birds Flying High After Big Win.

Mathew Campagnola scored the Game Winning Goal with 11:40 remaining in the third period. Shane Kirby got his first career SCHSHL win in his fifth start of the campaign for the T-Birds. Aidan Halliday was stellar in net for the Bulls, but has now dropped to 1-3 on the season with an overtime loss. 

Dean Falcone scored his first SCHSHL Varsity goal with ten minutes and thirty seconds gone by in the first frame. The two-way defenseman collected a loose puck in the offensive zone, walked the line, and fired a shot from the point past Kirby. The Bulls blue liner has lit the lamp six times in seven games for an undefeated Smithtown Hauppauge JV Red squad. Falcone’s stellar performance offers Smithtown Hauppauge fans a glimpse of the programs bright future, but the youngsters stellar debut could lead to a more permanent posting with the Varsity squad this season. Fellow JV call-up, Michael Wagner, played a reliable two-hundred foot game in his Varsity Debut. The youngsters did their part, but the Bulls lead would last for just one minute and twenty five seconds. 

Alex Barylski got the equalizer for the T-Birds with 3:05 remaining in the first period. Barylski’s perfectly placed shot came off a beautiful drop pass by Ryan Fleischauer. The T-Birds continued to generate scoring opportunities, but Halliday kept the game tied at one apiece. The second stanza remained scoreless, as the aforementioned Bulls netminder went toe to toe with Kirby to keep the game even. Despite what the scoresheet may suggest, both teams created opportunities in transition. It just so happens that both teams were equally as good at stopping them. 

In the final frame of play, Jack Mercado threaded the needle on a pass to Campagnola in the slot. The quick wrist shot put Connetquot Sayville BBP up 2-1. Later in the period, the T-Birds power play had several opportunities to gain a two goal lead, but they were unable to capitalize. The Bulls pulled their goalie in the final minutes of the third period, but the late-game heroics of Shane Kirby snuffed out any hope of a Smithtown Hauppauge comeback. 

Upcoming Schedule

Connetquot Sayville BBP T-Birds

The T-Birds tenacious style of play allowed them to pressure the Bulls all night long. Shane Kirby’s squad looked the part of a team that has made back-to-back NYASHA HS Club Tournament appearances. Now they’ve put the entire SCHSHL on notice. Underestimate them at your own peril. The T-Birds will take on the Tigers on Wednesday November 15th at 9:20. 

Smithtown Hauppauge Bulls

After a 6-6 tie against East Islip, Smithtown Hauppauge was ranked fourth in the LISN Week 7 power Rankings. This is a team that can go toe to toe with any team in the league, but their tendency to drop games to opponents that are below .500 could spell trouble for them down the line. The Smithtown Hauppauge Bulls will look to bounce back against the Longwood Lions on Wednesday November 15th at 7:50 PM.