Sat-Dec-21, 2024
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Spring 2005 Playoffs

Long Island Cup Championship Games

B League - [draw] | [back to top]
Championship Game
B6 - East Coast KO's Klash 5-4 on last second goal to capture B Championship
Vin Mannetta's deep slot onetimer with just 4 seconds remaining, off a precision pass from brother Mike, delivered a hard fought B League Championship for East Coast. Mannetta's tally, his second, came seconds after the Klash clanged the crossbar in their last gasp to force the ultimate game. In an thrilling, fast-paced match, East Coast spotted the Klash an early goal and grabbed control with three goals in 60 seconds late first. When Jason Sessa roofed his second, mid second period, East Coast seemed poised to run away and hide. The resilient Klash, however, said no. By the middle of the third, the game was tied. During the last frantic seven minutes, each team had prime chances but goalies Derek Messing (East Coast) and Ruben Santana (Klash) each flashed spectactular saves to set the stage for Mannetta's clock beating heroics.
Winner's Bracket
B4 - East Coast strike early and often then fend off Klash 10-6
B2 - Six goal third propels Klash past Nike NY 12-8
B1 - East Coast score three in final three to stun GN-Bruins 6-5
Loser's Bracket
B5 - Santana shines as Klash turn away Nike NY 3-2
B3 - Nike NY bounce back, send GN-Bruins into hibernation 8-6
Wildcard
Bw1 - Klash pull away from Storm 7-2
Bw2 - East Coast dispatch Past Times 7-3

C League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
C7 - Third Time a Charm! - Woodstock surmounts the Phantoms 4-1 to seize the C League championship
After coming up short in two agonizing one-goal losses in the two previous C title games, Woodstock finally stood as champions with their 4-1 defeat of the Phantoms. A team accustomed to playing the nailbiter, Woodstock again found itself in a third period struggle. Each goalie again was on their "A" game, scoring was at a premium, and the memory of the previous epic was eerily fresh. Who wanted it more? Who would step up? Who would break? The answer came unexpectedly quick.

Just two and half minutes into the third, Kurt Tomcyzk, for the second time in the game, rushed through the Phantoms defense to isolate Phantoms goalie Chris Derose. In his first rush, in the first period, Tomcyzk scored five hole. On his second rush, Tomcyzk tried five hole again but Derose made the save. The rebound, however, eluded the compromised Phantoms defense and George Lee, as his want, was uncannily on the puck to net the putback. It was the only third period goal Woodstock would need.

Backboned by the impenetrable net play of C League MVP Adam Wisniewski Woodstock would not allow another goal. Wisniewski, who repeatedly denied breakways throughout these playoffs, again shined brightest during crunch time. Facing four minutes of penalty kill in the final six, Wisniewski turned away any and all chances during the frantic Phantom last gasp. His signature save during the furious final moments was a stick check, while prone, on the last breakway he would face. This emblematic save sealed the Phantoms' fate and delivered Woodstock's first Long Island Cup championship.
C6 - A Game for the Ages! - Phantoms force decisive game in a 4-3 overtime classic
In one of the great Hockey Long Island games ever played, Vlad Klestov scored in the 31st minute of overtime to clinch the Phantoms 4-3 win and force the ultimate game for the C League championship. The game had all the ingredients - high intensity, high drama, high performance. There was end-to-end rushes, breakaways, great saves, near misses, and lady luck. Phantoms netminder Chris Derose made 48 saves, many in-close among heavy traffic. Woodstock netminder Adam Wisniewski made 33 saves, including 5 denials of clean break-ins. Klestov's gamewinner came when he split the Woodstock defense and used his long reach to somehow extend back against the grain and slide the puck past a sprawled Wisniewski. Kiran Mhatre scored twice for the Phantoms with each of his goals tying the score late in the third. George Lee scored twice for Woodstock.
Winner's Bracket
C4 - Woodstock weather UMB-Grizzlies 2-1
Rich Ahl's third period onetimer proved the difference as Woodstock prevailed 2-1. In a briskly played game between these familar rivals, defense dominated. Woodstock impressively shutdown the Grizzlies for significant portions of this match. Eventually, the Grizzlies offense generated chances but Woodstock goalie Adam Wisniewski again played his best down the stretch to preserve the hard fought win.
C2 - UMB-Grizzlies maul Phantoms-LCF 11-5
Building on the momentum of their wildcard 'miracle', the Grizzlies left no doubt in spanking a flat Phantoms squad 11-5. After each team had scored once in the first, the Grizzlies shellshocked the dazed Phantoms with seven second period goals. The winners were led by the hat tricks of Andy Datlo and Mike Terribery. Defenseman Chris Austin also chipped in four assists.
C1 - Woodstock turn off Primetime 3-2
Spotting a first and last minute goal, Woodstock controlled most of the action in between to shut down Primetime 3-2. Kurt Tomcyzk scored twice and helped on the other in leading Woodstock's customary pressure attack. Adam Wisniewski secured the win with some strong goaltending in the third.
Loser's Bracket
C5 - Off the Mat! - Phantoms rally in the third to stun Grizzlies 5-3
Scoring three times in the final seven minutes, twice in the final minute, the Phantoms come from behind to stun the Grizzlies 5-3. The Grizzlies took a 3-2 lead with 8:49 left off a Garret Simowitz breakaway. Jason Lagnese, however, answered back with an own shot putback while the Phantoms enjoyed a 5-on-3 advantage. Lagnese struck again with under a minute remaining when me mishit a slapshot that fooled the Grizzly goalie. The Phantoms then added an emptynetter for the final 5-3.
C3- Phantoms-LCF shine on Primetime 6-42
With four goals in the second, the Phantoms turned a one goal deficit into a one goal lead that they never relinquished in advancing 6-4. Atypically, the Phantoms used defense and goaltending to key the win. Netminder Chris Derose was sharp in making 27 saves including shutting out Primetime in the third. Six different players scored in a balanced offense performance for the Phantoms.
Wildcard
Cw2 - Primetime apprehend Court Officers 4-0
In a total team effort, Primetime stifled the Court Officers behind solid defense and goaltending. Four different players scored as Primetime eased into a four goal lead mid second. Ruben Santana pitched the shutout making some key saves early when he game was still in the balance.
Cw1 - UMB-Grizzlies roar back to "crush" Red Wings 4-3
Displaying the heart of a champion, the Grizzlies rose from the brink with three goals in the final five minutes to put away the upset minded Red Wings 4-3. Dan Benazzi set the remarkable comeback in motion scoring just 19 seconds after the Wings upped a hard-earned lead to 3-1 with just 5:40 remaining. The Grizzlies swarmed the Wings end refusing to allow the puck to escape. Their tremendous pressure yielded an Andy Datlo tying goal at 2:08 and the Garret Simowitz gamewinner with a minute left.

D1 League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
D4 - Bru-Yeah! - Bruins wrap up D League crown with 4-1 grinder over the Avalanche
Raising the LI Cup again after a two year absence, the Bruins needed to work much harder to put away a determined Avalanche squad 4-1 to earn the D1 League championship. This match was vastly different than the previous match-up between these venerable rivals which saw the Bruins blow-out the 'Lanche. For starters, the Avalanche carried a 1-0 lead into the second. Secondly, the Bruins could manage just 4 shot first period shots whereas they previously scored four first period goals. Thirdly, the game was close throughout with the outcome in the balance right up until the Bruins emptynetter to complete the scoring.

The Bruins ultimately had a little too much for the Avalanche and eventually imposed their will in the second. They tied the score 1-1 four minutes into the second on a Mike Bilbao goal, his first of two. But the decisive stretch came later in the middle stanza when D1 League MVP Marc Hedquist led the critical push that put the Bruins in front for good. Hedquist first set-up Chris Viscusi on the far post for the go-ahead. He then potted the insurance tally off a strong forecheck effort. He stickchecked an Avs defenseman to create a successful odd-angle shot that somehow found the back of the net. In the third, however, the Avalanche would not fold. They generated several prime scoring chances but could not put the biscuit behind the formidable Bruin netminder Adam Mottola.

Winner's Bracket
D2 - LI-Bruins bury Avalanche 10-1
Pouncing from the opening, the Bruins scored four times in the first en route to a commanding 10-1 win over the Avalanche. The Avalanche briefly sparked in the second to close to 4-1. The Bruins, however, quickly snuffed any semblence of a rally and coasted to their one-sided victory. Sean Grubard had a hat trick and 2 assists for the Bruins
D1 - Avalanche escape EC Caps 7-6 in overtime
Loser's Bracket
D3 - Avalanche foreclose on EC Caps 7-3
Spotting the EC Caps a three goal first period lead, the Avalanche score seven unanswered to advance 7-3. The Avs scored all goals in a span of roughly 17 minutes from end of the first to the beginning of the third. Eric Presti led the Avs scoring with a hat trick and Claude Birong chipped in two.
Wildcard
D0 - EC Caps lord over Minions 9-3
Exploding for five second period goals, EC Caps broke open their match with the Minions to advance 9-3. The Caps took advantage of numerous Minion penalties to fuel their middle stanza outburst. Rich Goetchius led the Caps attack with 3 goals and 1 assist.

D2 League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
DD6 - Back in Black! - Stars raise Cup again with 4-2 extermination of Scorpions
With a four goal second period outburst, the Black Stars got all the needed to squish the Scorpions 4-2 and earned their first Long Island Cup championship in six years. After an uneventful, scoreless first period the Black Stars put a major hurt on the Scorpions in the second. The unleashed 18 shots to notch the four goals. Their offensive effort was again led by D2 League MVP Costa Scouroudis. Throughout the playoffs, Scouroudis played with a forcefulness that materially impacted each of the three Black Star playoff games. With two more goals in the title game, Scouroudis scored in every playoff game netting seven in total. During the second period barage, Scouroudis scored the second and fourth goals stradling goals by George Kourmoumousis and Chris Nettuno. The Scorpions showed some spark late in the third but their two goals proved too-little, too-late, and the Black Stars had once again had HLI hardware on their championship mantel.
Winner's Bracket
DD4 - Black Stars survive Scorpions 2-1
In a match dripping in playoff tension, Jim Stefanich scored with just 3:40 remaining to lead the Black Stars into the Big Dance. This match was dominated by stingy defense and sharp goaltending. Goalies Anthony DiPietto (Stars) and Chris Lattanzio (Scorps) each took turns playing Hasek in expelling prime scoring chances. Stefanich clincher came off a partial breakaway that somehow evaded a surprised Lattanzio.
DD2 - Scorpions sting Cyclones-D 6-2
Scoring five consecutive goals, the Scorpions broke open a tight game to comfortably move past a shorthanded Cyclones crew 6-2. Cliff Prevete scored twice to lead the Scorpions. In this match, the Scorpions again went against past playoff form in utilizing an ample offense to win.
DD1 - Black Stars spellbind Hex 7-2
Taking control from the onset, the Black Stars scored six unanswered to move past the Hex 7-2. The Stars dominated the front of the net converting their deep slot chances to stake a 6-0 lead. Costa Scouroudis scored four and assisted on two others to spearhead the Stars offense.
Loser's Bracket
DD5 - Scorpions smoke Cyclones-D 8-2
Dominating play from the drop, seven different Scorpions scored en route to an 8-2 elimination of the Cyclones. Needing only an economical 22 shots to net the eight goals, Cliff Prevete was the lone Scorpion to pot the biscuit twice.
DD3 - Cyclones-D vex the Hex 7-2
The Cyclones started quick, grabbed a 4-0 lead, and moved on with a 7-2 dismissal of the Hex. The only suspense came in the second when the Hex scored back-to-back powerplay goals to halve the deficit. The Cyclones, however, rebounded quickly and finished off the win. Bobby Crotty had three for the winners.
Wildcard
DDw2 - Hex subdue Stalkers 5-3
Mike Caira scored four leading the Hex past the Stalkers in a mild upset. The Hex built a four goal lead after two behind a steady forecheck. They withstood a Stalker rally in the third but were never seriously threatened in advancing.
DDw1 - Scorpions lance NY Knights 7-2
Flashing the winning form missing for most of this spring season, the Scorpions served notice with a handy 7-2 elimination of the NY Knights. The Scorpions, known for crunchtime defense and goaltending, employed a balanced offense as six different players tickled the twine.

E League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
E6 - Twice as Nice! - Cyclones repeat as E League champs with a 6-1 victory over the Minutemen
With three goals in five minutes late in the second period, the Cyclones were finally able to separate from a pesky Minutemen squad to go back-to-back as E League champs. Tim Daly bookended the decisive three goal outburst en route to a title game hat trick. Despite the final score, this championship win did not come easily for the Cyclones. The Minutemen continued their inspired playoff form and had knotted the game at 1-1 in the middle of the second. Their goal came on the heels of Joe Rodriguez denying a Cyclones' penalty shot. Comfortable playing close playoff games, the Minutemen controlled the game pace and seemed poised to spring another playoff upset. If not for rock solid net play of E League MVP Dan Andrews, the Minutemen would have commanded a several goal lead. Andrews, who allowed just four goals in the three Cyclone playoff games, kept the game even as the Minutemen played their best early in the second. His steady play paid off. Less than a minute after the Minutemen had tied the score, Daly uncorked an on-ice blast that caught the far post. His goal energized the defending champs. They found another gear and parlayed 'Uncle Mo' into sustained offense zone pressure that ultimately resulted in the other two goals during the critical five minute stretch. The sudden three goals deflated the Minutemen who could not muster a final push in the third.
Winner's Bracket
E4 - Cyclones-E squeeze Crush 4-1
Bolstered by a strong performance by goaltender Dan Andrews, the Cyclones would not yield en route to an impressive 4-1 win over the Crush. In addition to Andrews' play, the Cyclones played stingy defense to continually frustrate the number one seed.
E2 - Cyclones-E tranquilize Raging Bulls 5-2
Focused from the first drop, the Cyclones built a 4-0 lead before coasting home with a 5-2 defeat of the Raging Bulls. The Cyclones lone lapse came middle of the second when the Raging Bulls Joe Rizzo scored twice within a minute to narrow the deficit to 4-2. The Cyclones, however, would not allow it to get any closer and sealed the win when Anthony Galasso turned the trick with his third goal early in the final stanza.
E1 - Crush slip by Minutemen 4-3
In a see-saw affair, Steve Rybacki's third goal of the night proved the gamewinner for the Crush. Rybacki difference maker capped a one minute sequence which saw two Crush goals sandwich a Minutemen tally. The Crush then tightened defensively and limited any real Minutemen threats for the remainder of the match.
Loser's Bracket
E5 - Payback - Minutemen gain revenge with 6-5 sacking of Crush
Continuing their unexpected playoff run the Minutemen charged from behind in the third to upset the top seeded Crush 6-5. Chris Vogel was the big star of the comeback as he scored twice in the Minutemen's three goal third. After Chris Csabon halved a two goal deficit, Vogel scored the tying and go-ahead goal with the gamewinner coming with only 1:13 left off as his slapshot trickled in.
E3 - Minutemen ole Raging Bulls 6-5 in overtime
Chris Vogel's third, just 1:33 into overtime, advanced the Minutemen past a scrappy Raging Bulls club 6-5 in a classic playoff match. A see-saw affair throughout, neither team could maintain a lead. After trading leads through the first two periods, the Minutemen seemingly staked a winning 5-3 lead early in the third. The Bulls, however, refused to go away and quickly narrowed the lead to 5-4. In a furious last two minutes, after clanging two potential game tying goals off iron, the Bulls Dan Riccio converted the third post ringer with only 30 seconds remaining to fittingly send the game into extra time.
Wildcard
E0 - Minutemen master Misfits 4-3 in OT
Chris Csabon power play goal 3:23 of overtime leads the Minutemen past the Misfits. The Minutemen forced the extra session with only 27 seconds left also while on the power play. This tying goal came on the heels of a short-lived Misfits go-ahead goal which occurred while the Misfits were short-handed.

3C League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
3C4 - Rangers get early jump and leash the Bulldogs 7-4 for 3C title
Firing straight from the locker room, the Rangers swamped the Bulldogs early en route to a 7-4 win and the 3C championship. The Rangers scored twice on the first shift and quickly built a 5-1 lead just eight minutes into the match. Sandy Sandorfi scored twice early and Tom Wallace scored twice later but it was the inspired play of 3C League MVP Tom Peterson that epitomized the Rangers effort. Peterson seemed a half stride ahead with forceful play both in`leading the rush and picking up the backcheck. He teamed with Wallace for the critical shift of the game. In the middle of the first, after the Bulldogs had stemmed the early Ranger onslaught and had scored to close within 3-1, Peterson and Wallace each took turns setting each other up just 25 seconds apart to stretch the lead to an insurmountable 5-1 advantage. The Bulldogs sparked to halve the four goal lead but netminder Chris Vience made two sparkling saves on Bulldog breakaways to hold the two goal lead which the Rangers later extended back to four.
Winner's Bracket
3C2 - Rangers best Bladerunners 7-3
Surviving some shaky early lapses, the Rangers righted themselves as the match progressed to beat the Blades 7-3. The Rangers repeatedly built leads only to see the Blades battle back. It finally was late in the third that the Rangers could comfortably shake free. Alex Sandorfi and Tom Peterson each scored twice to lead the Rangers attack.
3C1 - Bladerunners blank Bulldogs 2-0
Despite the Bulldogs controlling play for the majority of the game, the Bladeunners left the 'Dogs panting with a 2-0 whitewash of the defending champs. Blades goalie Damien DiStasio turned away all 27 Bulldogs shots, several in spectactular fashion, in a remarkable playoff performance. After scoring one each in the first two periods, the Blades successfully executed the rope-a-dope in the third to secure the shutout.
Loser's Bracket
3C3 - Bulldogs bite back, blast Bladerunners 8-0
Avenging their earlier playoff loss to the Bladerunners, the Bulldogs left no doubt in their 8-0 romp over their long time rivals. Three goals in a span of 1:39, late in the first period, put this game on ice early. Mike Schmaeling and Tom Rajic each netted a pair in the victory as the Bulldogs travel the now familiar road through the Losers Bracket.
Wildcard
3C0 - Bladerunners banish Bucs 3-2
Pat Peace's powerplay blast from the top of the right circle broke a 2-2 deadlock and proved enough for the Bladerunners to advance past an undermanned Bucs squad. After skating to a scoreless first period, each team scored twice in the second with the Blades chasing a Buc goal each time.

3D League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
3D4 - One More Time - Sabres add another title with 4-1 battle over Blues for 3D crown
Adding yet another piece of hardware to their crowded championship mantel, the Sabres worked extra hard before putting away a gallant Blues squad 4-1. In this hard-earned title, the Sabres needed all weapons of their offense arsenal. In throwing the kitchen sink (and appliances) at the the Blues net, they were repeatedly stymied by the sublime performance of 3D league MVP Tom Zdrojeski - the Blues goaltender and the first MVP recipient from a losing team. Throughout the playoffs, Zdrojeski was simply the best player on the ice. While merely spectactular in the Blues' other playoff games, in this match he was out-of- body. Time and time again he left the Sabres shaking in disbelief as he turned away 32 shots, many point blank from within the center slot. Ultimately, he was betrayed by bad luck. Middle of the third, with the score tied at one, Jim Moore uncorked a center slot blast that caught a Blues stick and became airborne. Like a infield fly frozen in a high sun, Zdrojeski lost sight of the biscuit. The puck fluttered undetected over his head, landed softly on his back, and trickled into the net. Moore struck yet again, just 16 seconds later, when he conventionally beat a still reeling Zdrojeski off a nifty pass from Chris Brown, who had five helpers in the two Sabres win. The Blues gamely tried to create any offense but none would come, and the Sabres yet again raised the Long Island Cup.
Winner's Bracket
3D2 - Sabres rally past Blues 4-3 in OT
Flashing a champion's mettle, the playoff hardened Sabres dug themselves out of a 3-0 third period hole to deflate the Blues 4-3 in overtime. Mike Caporale provided the dramatics with a onetimer in the slot that found the five-hole of gallant Blues netminder Tom Zdrojeski (26 saves). Caporale and linemates Ken Scileppi (2 goals, 1 assist) and Chris Brown (3 assists) imposed their collective will in dictating the third period. The key sequence was a single shift in which the threesome scored twice in 25 seconds early in the third. This sudden momentum swing stunned the Blues, who struggled to regain their bearings the rest of the way.
3D1 - Blues eke past Banshees 3-2
Hanging on after dominating early, the Blues survived a Banshees late push 3-2. The Blues opened strong establishing a 3-0 lead a little before halfway. Save for the stellar play of Banshee netminder John Carlisi this match was over early. The Banshees, however, found focus in the third and had the Blues on their heels before falling short.
Loser's Bracket
3D3 - Blues bounce Banshees 6-5 in OT thriller
With Pete Piciulo's redirect just 36 seconds into overtime, the Blues survived another shaky third to move into the 3D championship with a 6-5 overtime win. The Blues raced to a 3-0 first period lead to only squander it by the nailbiting third period. In the final stanza, the Banshees stormed all the way back to take two different one goal leads. The Blues, however, refused to concede and forced the overtime when Dale Lewis flipped the disc top shelf with only 11 seconds.
Wildcard
3D0 - Banshees bop Moose 5-2
Scoring three times in the decisive third period, the Banshees wore down the Moose 5-2. The Moose seemingly ran put of gas in the third after killing off several second period Banshees powerplays. Five different players scored for the Banshees.

3E League - [draw] | [box scores] | [back to top]
Championship Game
3E5 - Wild Horses - Mustangs run over Rats 4-0 to take inaugural 3E crown
Completing an unexpected run through these playoffs, the Mustangs completely shut down the Rats 4-0 for their second LI Cup crown. Through most of the playoffs, the Mustangs rode a resurgent offense to victory. In the playoffs, they scored 20 times after scoring only 28 times during the season. It was, however, the familiar formula of defense and goaltending that put away the Rats. The Mustangs previous championship (in Fall '01) was earned through stingy team defense and an opportunistic forecheck. Epitomizing this winning style this night was 3E League MVP Tony Wolken. Exhibiting a tenancious forecheck from the get-go, Wolken scored twice and helped on another. He consistently disrupted the Rats break-out to create scoring chances for himself and his teammates. By the middle of the second, the Mustangs had built a 3-0 lead and the heavy set lady began to warm. For the remainder of the game, the Rats could not generate much offense as they were repeatedly frustrated by the lock-down defense the 'Stangs played in front of their net. For the period, the Mustangs limited the Rats to just 4 shots, 15 in total.
3E4 - Stayin' Alive - Rats fight back and force the decisive game with a 4-1 win over Mustangs
With hard hats atop and lunch pails in hand, the Rats went to work to defeat the Mustangs 4-1 to force the winner-take-all championship match-up. Both teams played close to the vest defense limiting offense chances. The Rats, more focused than the previous game between these two clubs, ultimately outworked the Mustangs during keys stretches of the game. Rob Bentrewicz scored twice for the Rats.
Winner's Bracket
3E2 - The Stampede continues - Mustangs rankle Rats 6-3
Behind a resurgent offense and another stellar performance by netminder Jim Bauman, the Mustangs grabbed a late first period lead and never looked back in their 6-3 upset of the Rats. After a slow start, the Mustangs effectively opened up the ice and capitalized on some Rats defensive miscues. Seb Raspanti scored three but the critical goal proved Lee D'Amico's breakaway conversion just two minutes after the Rats had closed within one and seemingly had swung the momentum to their favor.
3E1 - Mustangs nip Napper Tandys 2-1 in OT
Bill Altomare's onetimer trickled in 9:38 into overtime to propel the Mustangs past Napper Tandys 2-1. Altomare capitalized on a fortuitous ricochet from behind the net off a wayward blueline slap shot. This well-played, intense game saw each team continuosly stymied by the stellar play of both netminders - Jim Bauman (Mustangs) and Ed Derudder (Napper Tandys).
Loser's Bracket
3E3 - Rats eradicate Napper Tandys 5-2
Five different players scored as the Rats established a big early lead and finished off the Napper Tandys 5-2. The Rats scored twice in the first three minutes and ultimatley built their first period lead to 4-0 before Napper answered back. Napper could never threaten the rest of the way as the Rats defense kept Napper's offense mostly on the perimeter.
Wildcard
3E0 - Mustangs ambush Tribe 7-2
In an uncharacteristic offensive display, the Mustangs blitz the Tribe in the second and third periods to pull away for a 7-2 win. In 12 minutes, the Mustangs scored 6 times to build an insurmountable lead. The Mustangs were led by the "B&B" boys with Jeremy Bernstein scoring thrice and Mark Bernstein scoring twice.