Kane Tolliver scored the first and last goals and added an assist, and Sachem (FR) beat Smithtown/Hauppauge Blue (FR) 6-1 on Wednesday at The Rinx – North Rink. Justin Bovich also scored twice as Sachem improved to 2-0-0-0, while Smithtown/Hauppauge Blue fell to 0-2-0-0.
Sachem set the tone early, scoring twice in the first period on goals 53 seconds apart. Tolliver opened the scoring with 14:29 left in the first, assisted by James Oconnor. Bovich followed with 13:36 remaining, assisted by Clark Beltram, and that goal stood as the game-winner. Connor Frey kept Smithtown/Hauppauge Blue within reach through the opening period with a sharp stop on a one-timer, drawing applause from the crowd.
Sachem broke it open in the second on two goals built on individual skill. Gregory Mast, who entered with four points in one game, made it 3-0 with 12:18 left when he beat a defender one-on-one at the top of the circle and finished the play, with Vincent Donohue assisting. Bovich then came out of the penalty box and went in alone on a breakaway, using a forehand-backhand-forehand deke to score with 5:10 left for a 4-0 lead. Beltram assisted on both of Bovich’s goals.
Smithtown/Hauppauge Blue got on the board late in the period. Anthony Mendell scored an unassisted power-play goal with 32 seconds left in the second to cut the deficit to 4-1.
Sachem answered in the third. Joseph Capozzoli Jr. made it 5-1 with 8:00 remaining, assisted by Oconnor and Tolliver. Tolliver, who had one assist entering the game, closed the scoring with 3:42 left, working around the net for loose pucks, and Oconnor picked up the assist for his third of the game. Mendell nearly scored again on a breakaway during a late power play, but Sean Smith got a piece of it to preserve the win. Smith allowed one goal, and Frey allowed six in the loss.
Sachem faces St. Anthony’s on Oct. 5, and Smithtown/Hauppauge Blue plays East Islip on Oct. 7.
