Suffolk Slant: Top 10

I was fortunate enough to cover two terrific overtime games last week. On Wednesday, Comsewogue outlasted Sayville, 10-9, in triple overtime on Tom Hughes’ goal. On Thursday, West Islip rallied against Smithtown West in the final seconds of regulation to force OT on a goal by Nick Aponte, and then Jon Reese scored halfway through the first overtime for a dramatic 7-6 victory.

Those games told me there isn’t much to choose from among the top contenders in Class A and Class B. As for Class C, I initially thought it would be a breeze for Shoreham-Wading River, but I may have overlooked defending C champion Bayport-Blue Point.

The Phantoms are legitimate challengers because of Brian Ward, who is the hottest scorer on Long Island. In leading Bayport-Blue Point to three victories last week, Ward scored 27 points. Here’s the amazing breakdown: nine goals and three assists against Hauppauge; seven goals and one assist against Kings Park, and six goals and one assists against Eastport-South Manor. “The kid has put us on his back,” Phantoms coach Mike Luce said.

There are several important games this week that could shake up the standings, including next Saturday’s Division I headliner between Ward Melville and West Islip. Last year’s regular-season game ended on an overtime goal by West Islip goalie Kyle Turri.

Bay Shore @ West Islip, 4:30 p.m.

Northport @ Sachem North, 5 p.m.

Comsewogue @ Shoreham-Wading River, 4:30 p.m.

Sayville @ Eastport-South Manor, 7 p.m.

Rocky Point @ Bayport-Blue Point, 4:30 p.m.

Sachem North @ West Babylon, 4 p.m.

North Babylon @ Bay Shore, 4 p.m.

Rocky Point @ Comsewogue, 7:30 p.m.

Bayport-Blue Point @ Sayville, 4:30 p.m.

Ward Melville @ West Islip, noon

Sachem North @ Smithtown West, 7 p.m.

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1. St. Anthony’s (6-1)

2. Smithtown West (8-1)

3. West Islip (7-1)

4. Comsewogue (9-0)

5. Ward Melville (7-2)

6. Sachem North (7-2)

7. Sayville (6-2)

8. Shoreham-WR (6-1)

9. Bay Shore (7-2)

10. Bayport-Blue Point (7-1)