By: STEVE SINISKI
³We¹ve been getting into the playoffs with a low seed but we¹re playing the best [opponents] in the County,² coach Fred Graham said of his team¹s last two appearances.
Comprised largely of sophomores and juniors this time around, the Rams were still looking to a quartet of veterans ' Mike Palmer, Abir Rahman, Mark Sniffen and Mike Nuzzi ' to lead the way. Prior to the loss against the Vikings, the Rams had run off consecutive victories over Malverne/East Rockaway (11-3 on May 10) and Wheatley Heights (11-10 on May 5).
³Without any one of those two wins we wouldn¹t be in the playoff [picture],² Graham said.
The offensive output was keyed by Palmer, the top scoring weapon, who scored seven goals in the two victories. ³He¹s double- and triple-teamed,² Graham said of Palmer, the No. 1 focus of every opposing defense. ³But he¹s either getting an assist or a goal.²
Rahman equaled Palmer¹s output during the two-game hot streak, and even tallied the overtime winner against Wheatley Heights with less than 10 seconds to play. It thwarted the Wildcats comeback bid from a 6-1 first quarter deficit. Sniffen scored three times against Malverne/East Rockaway.
Nuzzi, the final line of defense, has been a dual threat in net. While he combined to stop 26 shots in the team¹s two most recent victories, it¹s his play after he makes saves that sets him apart from other goaltenders. ³He¹s making saves and getting outlet passes and getting the transition going,² Graham said. ³He¹s the last guy on defense and the first guy on offense.²
Across town, East Meadow was set to wrap up its regular season last Tuesday against Massapequa. The Jets (6-9 overall) were looking to go out on a winning note after suffering a 7-5 defeat at MacArthur on May 12. Entering the fourth quarter trailing 4-2, the Generals offense rallied for five goals in the final eight minutes. Dan Masopust topped the scoring charts for the Jets with three goals.
The hat trick came on the heels of his one-goal, seven assist performance on May 9 in a 17-4 victory over Herricks. A 5-0 lead after the first quarter quickly swelled to a 12-1 bulge at intermission, and East Meadow coasted from there. Steven Diaz netted four goals, while Jesse Garrity added three.
