The Long Beach Lightning 16U T2 NTB – Podolskiy gave up a two-goal lead, then scored the next four goals to beat the LI Gulls 16U T2 NTB – American 6-2 on Sunday morning at Long Beach Municipal Ice Arena. Six different Lightning players scored, and Luca Romeo made 18 saves on 20 shots for the win.
Long Beach controlled the start. Patrick Famularo forced a turnover, cut across into an open lane and shot back across Michael Elco to open the scoring. Late in the first, Peter Duva split the defense and finished with a backhand-to-forehand move to make it 2-0.
The Gulls, playing their season opener, came back. Their aggressive penalty kill produced a shorthanded goal from Alec Giacoppi late in the first period to cut the deficit to 2-1. Giacoppi struck again early in the second on the power play, ending a quick passing sequence with a turn-and-shoot over Romeo’s shoulder to tie it 2-2. Elco also kept the Gulls close in the early going with a sharp toe save on a back-door pass.
Long Beach regained control quickly. James Joyce intercepted a pass and scored to put the Lightning back in front 3-2. Ryan Reinhart then converted a five-hole goal on the power play for a 4-2 lead. In the third, Matthew Jackman batted in a loose puck to make it 5-2, and Thomas Russell added the other Lightning goal.
Long Beach controlled possession for most of the third period with a heavy forecheck, and the Gulls could not convert a late power play in the final minutes. Elco made 30 saves on 36 shots in the loss. Both of the Gulls’ goals came from Giacoppi.
The Lightning improved to 2-0-1-0, and the Gulls will look for their first win after opening at 0-1-0-0.
