Suffolk Slant: Top 10

Look who is back on top? And did they ever really leave?

It was a statement week for two-time defending state Class A champion West Islip. First, the Lions defeated Sachem North, the team that handed them its last loss on opening day of the 2010 season. Then West Islip defeated Newsday’s No. 1-ranked team, Chaminade, 8-7, in a defensive battle on Saturday.

In that game, the Lions had an 8-4 lead until the Flyers scored three goals in the final minute to make it close. Goalie Kyle Turri (left) was outstanding, with 12 saves, including several from point-blank range early in the game before the Lions’ balanced offense got rolling. With a win on Monday, the Lions’ winning streak is now 28 straight.

As expected, the Lions are on a collision course with Ward Melville for Division I supremacy. The two traditional rivals will play on April 27, and it likely will be a matchup of unbeaten teams. The Patriots made their own statement last week, outlasting gritty Smithtown West, 10-9, in overtime. That game took two days to finish because of a lightning delay with six minutes remaining. Sean Cleary’s third goal was the game-winner.

Two other teams on a collision course are unbeaten Comsewogue and Shoreham-Wading River in Division II. They will meet on April 30.

Noteworthy statistic: As of Tuesday, Tyler Begley of East Islip leads Long Island in scoring with 52 points, including a Suffolk-best 27 goals and 25 assists.

Zog’s Top 10

1. West Islip (7-0)
2. Ward Melville (7-0)
3. St. Anthony’s (4-1)
4. Sachem North (7-1)
5. Smithtown West (5-2)
6. Comsewogue (6-0)
7. Shorehan-Wading River (5-0)
8. East Islip (7-1)
9. Connetquot (5-2)
10. Eastport-South Manor (6-1)