Smithtown captures Suffolk hockey title
Smithtown's Brian Frey and Connetquot/Sayville's Daniel Monahan battle for possession during a Suffolk hockey game. (Jan. 9, 2012) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Sometimes it takes a couple of unsung heroes to win a championship.
Third-line center Joseph Rubino scored the go-ahead goal and fourth-line forward Jonathan Gianchetta added insurance as Smithtown-Hauppauge captured the Suffolk Hockey League championship with a 4-2 victory over Connetquot-Sayville Wednesday night.
The Bulls edged the T-Birds, 4-3, Monday night in Game 1 of the best-of-three series.
"It feels great," Smithtown coach Vincent Granice said. "We had two late goals by our third and fourth-line players, and when you get that it's just a huge contribution."
Thomas Dunn was named playoff MVP. He had five goals and five assists in the Bulls' four playoff games, including a power-play goal in the second period of what proved to be the clincher.
Connetquot-Sayville led 1-0 after the first period on Wednesday, but the Bulls tied the score at 2-2 heading into the third. After Rubino and Gianchetta each scored, the T-Birds had one last chance on a powerplay with three minutes left. But even with an extra attacker on the ice after Connetquot-Sayville pulled its goalie, Bulls' keeper Thomas Drapala held on to secure the championship.
"It was a great win," Granice said. "We got some great goaltending [from Thomas Drapala] and great play from [Dunn]."
