Ice Hockey beat: Suffolk tops Hudson Valley

Here, there and everywhere it seems that Eastern Long Island hockey dominates.

In the second of two All-Star games between the Suffolk and Hudson Valley ice hockey leagues, Suffolk won, 6-3, Friday at the Ice Time Sports Complex in Newburgh. Suffolk also beat Hudson Valley, 3-1, on Jan. 16 at The Rinx in Hauppauge.

Brian Boser (Smithtown/Hauppauge) and Tyler Young (Connetquot) each had a goal in each of the games. Young finished with a goal and three assists and Nicholas Russo added two goals and an assist in Friday's action. Michael Fazio (Kings Park/Commack) and Sean Connolly (Smithtown/Hauppauge) split time in net in both games.

"It really was just a very entertaining game," said Smithtown/Hauppauge coach Vincent Granice, one of three coaches selected. "For an All-Star game, it wasn't one of those prototypical offense-minded teams. There was a lot of great goaltending."

Because of insurance issues, Suffolk no longer plays the Lighthouse Cup All-Star game with Nassau, formerly known as the Vytra Cup. However, Suffolk has expanded its play to include several Hudson Valley teams throughout the regular season, making January's series of county matchups a natural fit.

Nassau top teams look to playoffs

When the Nassau Michelino Division playoffs begin Feb. 13, all eyes with be on the league's top dogs: Bellmore-Merrick (13-1) and Massapequa (14-2). Both have showcased prolific offenses and solid defenses throughout the year, though both head into an uncertain postseason with different approaches as they attempt to capture the league crown.

There's bravado from Massapequa.

"We think we're the best team in the league," coach Tony DeMayo said. "Once the playoffs come, I feel we have more players, so we'll be able to wear other teams down easier then they'll be able to wear us down."

Massapequa handed Bellmore-Merrick its first loss of the season Wednesday behind Mike Tardino (two goals), Anthony Mangone (two goals) and Joey Bochichio (one goal, four assists). Even scarier is that each of the three players skate on different lines, making the depth of the team a strength.

Meanwhile, Bellmore-Merrick takes a cautiously optimistic tone.

"I'm a Patriots fan," coach Chris Patton said. "Anything can happen in the playoffs and usually does."

The team relied on senior captain James Bobb (22 goals, six assists), goalie Jacob Smart (1.83 GAA) and defensemen Aidan Cooper and Zach Schneider as it started the season with 13 consecutive wins.

"I think what we preach is, we're all teachers here, so we focus on the kids becoming good boys and good men," Patton said. "And playing into that team mentality that nothing's more important than the team."