Mason Koslowski buried the game-winning goal with 8:13 remaining in the third period, capping a dramatic comeback as Wantagh/Seaford/Plainedge stunned Half Hollow Hills 6-5 in NYIHSHL playoff action Friday night at Long Beach Ice Arena. The victory was all the more impressive considering Half Hollow Hills’ Eric Li put together a spectacular 5-point performance (2 goals, 3 assists) that nearly single-handedly carried his team to victory.
After a scoreless opening frame, the second period erupted into offensive fireworks with seven combined goals. Half Hollow Hills appeared to seize control early when Jordan Bobkin opened the scoring at 11:19 with assists from Li and Samuel Novick. But Wantagh/Seaford/Plainedge responded with three straight goals from Derek Shelley, Keith Kern, and Koslowski to grab a 3-1 advantage. Li then took over the game’s narrative, scoring at 3:14 and assisting on Antonio Napolitano‘s goal at 2:10 before adding his second tally with just 50 seconds left in the period to give Half Hollow Hills a 4-3 lead heading into the final frame.
The third period belonged to Wantagh/Seaford/Plainedge’s opportunistic attack. Kern netted his second goal of the night at 10:41 to tie it 4-4, before Jack Hunter gave his team the lead just two minutes later. Koslowski then provided the decisive blow with his second goal of the contest, converting assists from Gustavo Astaiza and Nicholas Lucchese. Though Owen Brengel pulled Half Hollow Hills within one goal with 1:04 remaining—with Li recording his fifth point on the assist—the comeback fell short despite the outstanding individual effort from Li, who entered the game with 36 points in 15 games and added to his team-leading totals.
Goaltending proved pivotal in the outcome, as Wantagh/Seaford/Plainedge’s Saverio Goetchius made 14 saves on 15 shots before Sebastian Briganti took over and stopped 10 of 14 attempts. Half Hollow Hills struggled between the pipes after starter Logan Galvez (13 saves on 14 shots) gave way to Billy Dramisiotis, who allowed five goals on seven shots. The victory avenged two regular-season losses to Half Hollow Hills and demonstrated the playoff resilience that championship teams require.
