The Bellmore-Merrick Bulldogs are 7-8-1 on the year and currently are tied with Cold Spring Harbor for the fourth and final ticket to the post season. Sunday night, the Bulldogs faced off against the Lynbrook Owls at Icework, the Islanders practice facility in Syosset.
The Bulldogs, lead by Coach Christopher Patten, are playing hard and following the plan of late as they won their second in a row over Lynbrook 8-2.
"The boys played well, they looked for each other out there, and made clean, crisp passes, they worked," said Assistant Coach Lee Mattes.
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Coach Patten missed the matchup due to the stomach flu, but Assistant Coaches Lee Mattes and Mike Haggens were solid in his place.
Sophomore James Karp struck first for the Bulldogs when he fired a shot off at about six minutes into the first period.
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"He's playing good hockey," said Mattes.
Junior James Bobb continued his scoring touch on a second effort backhander, extending his team lead in goals and giving the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead by the end of the first period.
"He's a phenomenal player and leader. He quietly plays and help everyone elevate to his level," said assistant coach Mattes.
In the second period, the Owls hit the score sheet on a fluke from the right side that seemed to avert the pad of Bulldogs goaltender Michael Barry. But almost instantly to get back their two goal lead, Bobb scored again on a rebound to the middle that he tucked away for his second of the game. The Bulldogs lead 4-1 after two.
The Bulldogs seemed to have a poise going into the evening's matchup and it showed all night long. The Bulldogs set a season high in shots out shooting the Owls, 63-8.
"We playing together," said Mattes. "We knew the other team would be light on players, and knew we needed to keeping fresh."
If not for a tremendous effort from Lynbrook goalie Nick Korzevinski, the Bulldogs would have lit the lamp all night.
"He is a quality goaltender, but we wore them down as a team," said Mattes.
One save in particular off the butt end of his stick shocked the crowd.
"He played outstanding, we just had a short bench and ran out of gas, but he stayed strong," said Lynbrook Coach Gerry Nizich.
In the third, the Bulldogs seemed to be in the offensive zone the entire period, making pass after pass, a tired Owl team seemed to be playing on steam. The Bulldogs added four more from junior Brett Capilupi, sophmore Nick Abbenne, sophomore Dan Smith, and James Bobb notched another giving the Bulldog faithful a magic show. "We're peeking at the right time", said Mattes.
The Bulldogs take on Locust Valley tonight at 9:25 p.m. at the Newbridge Arena.
