Nassau Championship Series Determined

Both the Liberty and Michelino Divisions completed their semifinal rounds yesterday, with two teams cruising through to the championship series and two others having to fight to the finish to reach the finals.

In Liberty, No. 2 Oceanside shocked No. 3 Lynbrook 6-5 to set up a match-up with No. 1 East Williston, which shutout No. 4 Levittown 4-0 yesterday at Long Beach Arena.

In Michelino, No. 2 Long Beach had no problems with No. 3 Massapequa, pouring seven goals on the Chiefs in a 7-3 victory at Bethpage. Following that game, No. 1 Syosset came from behind to edge No. 4 Bellmore-Merrick 2-1.

For Oceanside, the Sailors trailed 5-2 in the second period but fought back to ultimately tie the score at 5 late in the third. Then, with 31 seconds left in the game, Oceanside’s Brian Hurley scored to make it 6-5 and put the Sailors in the Liberty Finals.

For Syosset, Jon Lazarus broke a 1-1 tie with 5:36 left in the third on a superb individual effort. Lazarus took the puck from his own blue line, skated past a number of Bellmore-Merrick defenders, and slid the puck into the net to give the Braves a lead they would not relinquish. Syosset trailed 1-0 early on but goalie Danny DeSilva made 34 saves to give the Braves a chance to come back and win.

A best of three series will determine the division champions, and the winner of each respective division will earn a bid to the state championships. The HSHLNC has two champions, and will not face the Liberty and Michelino winners against each other in any kind of postseason contest.

The first two games of the division finals will be held at Bethpage, starting Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. with the Michelino Championship Series of Long Beach vs. Syosset. That will be followed by the Liberty Championship Series of Oceanside vs. East Williston at 9:15 p.m. Game two will be the next night starting with the Liberty Series at 7:15 p.m. and the Michelino Series at 9 p.m.

If necessary, a deciding third game will be on Sunday Feb. 26, with the Michelino Series concluding at Long Beach at 8:15 p.m. and the Liberty Series finishing at Bethpage at 8:45 p.m.