YORKTOWN 6 MELVILLE 5

The Ward Melville Patriots were handed their 2^nd loss of the season in a hard fought overtime contest tonight in front of about 1000 fans. Yorktown Senior Ryan Culligan scored the game winner to give the Huskers the 6-5 win.

The first and second quarters saw Melville establish dominance with time of possession of about 2 to 1. The only score in the first period was from Melville Sophomore Dave Schwartzberg (3 goals) on an assist from Junior Jon Matsui. The only second quarter goal was scored by Melville’s Jon Matsui (1goal, 1 assist) to end the half at 2-0 Melville.

Yorktown opened the scoring in the 3^rd quarter on and unassisted goal by Senior Yoni Cohen. Melville responded with goals by Schwartzberg and Senior Billy Jautze who scored within 32 seconds of each other. Melville’s next and final goal came from Schwartzberg at 7:34 of the 3^rd quarter on an assist from Sophomore Mike Ward. The score was 5-1 Melville.

From here on, the Huskers pieced together a come-back. At 5:41 of the 3^rd quarter, Yorktown Senior Brandan Shanley put one by Melville Goalie Nick Gentilesco. Next it was Yorktown Senior Ryan Culligan who put it in to end the 3^rd at 5-3.

Just 24 seconds into the 4^th quarter, Culligan scored again on an assist from Senior Mike McCall. Neither team scored for the next 11 minutes until Yorktown Senior Brian Crockett scored with 49 seconds left to tie the game at 5-5, and send it into sudden death overtime.

As sudden death began, Melville obtained the important first possession from the face-off and had a couple of excellent opportunities to score. However, they were to be denied and at 2:39 of the O/T, Husker Ryan Culligan scored on an assist from Crockett to give the victory to Yorktown.

Unofficial Scoring Totals:

Goals- WM- Schwartzberg (3) , Matsui, Jautze…Y- Culligan (3), Cohen, Shanley, Crockett

Assists- WM- Matsui, Ward… Y- Crockett (2), McCall. Unknown

Face-offs- WM- 12/15, Ferraro 10/12; Middleton 2/2…Y- 3/15C

Saves- WM- Gentilesco (5)…Y- Rae (5)

The Patriots will face off against Connetquot on April 25, at 4:00, away.

GO PATRIOTS!