Tannebaum Blanks Cougars

Senior Luke Tannenbaum backstopped the Ward Melville Patriots (1-0) to a 5-0 victory over the Middle Country Cougars (0-2). Junior Andrew Martens made multiple big time saves in his first varsity start, but the Cougars were unable to prevent the Patriots from capitalizing on second and third opportunities. 

Senior Aidan Ayers opened the scoring with 3:28 left in the 1st period to put Ward Melville up 1-0. Senior Anthony Cerulli made a quick feed to the slot for a tap in by Ayers. 

Junior Tyler Curley scored his first career varsity goal with 11:16 left in the 2nd period to put the Patriots up by two. Using the defender as a screen, Curley fired an off angle shot to beat Martens. 

With 15 seconds remaining in the second stanza, Senior Hayden Jarret scored his first career varsity goal to make it 3-0 Ward Melville. Ayers won a race to the puck in the neutral zone, before coming in on a partial breakaway that was denied by Martens, and Jarret buried the rebound.  

Martens made multiple key saves for the Cougars, including two point blank big saves on a two on none opportunity for the Patriots. 

The former PatMed Raider, Luke Tannenbaum, was outstanding for the Patriots on the penalty kill, as the team killed off all four Cougars power play opportunities.

Senior Ethan Tam scored to make it 4-0 Ward Melville with 4:19 remaining in the 3rd period. Tam won a puck battle, beat two defenders as he drifted left-to-right, and put a shot underneath the shoulder of Martens.  

With 58 seconds to go, Senior Timmy Brown scored his first career varsity goal. Ayers found a streaking Brown in the slot for a tap in. 

Three Stars of the Game

1st Luke Tannenbaum (Shutout, Win)

2nd Aidan Ayers (GWG, A)

3rd Ethan Tam (G)