The Tribune

THE Nassau Street Hockey League kicked off its 2017 season on Wednesday night.

In the first game, the Hurricanes took on the Sharks in a heated battle. With both teams playing strong positions, the fight was tough. At the end of the first, though, the Hurricanes took the quick lead at 3-1.

The second and third periods had the Hurricanes defending stronger as the Sharks fought and attempted to split the scoring gap. The Hurricanes held strong and solidified a 5-1 win.

Brian Simms of the Hurricanes dominated with a four-point game with two goals and two assists. Jon Pendlebury (Hurricanes) followed at a solid three points (two goals, one assist).

The Sharks saw their captain, Jeff Pease, bring in their only goal of the night. Game two was an even fiercer battle between the Potters Cay Pirates and the Nassau Maple Reefs.

Immediately, the game took on an unusual twist as within the first 10 minutes, there were five goals scored between both teams.

The Pirates and the Reefs were neck and neck throughout the entire three periods with only a goal or two splitting the lead.

In the second period, there was a contested goal that brought a referee call challenge. The refs discussed and it was determined that Tom Vukoda did score the fifth goal for the Reefs, bringing the score to a 6-5 split for the Pirates.

The Reefs fought hard but the Pirates had solidified their lines and the Pirates won with a 8-7 score.

Kevin Taylor of the Pirates brought in six points (three goals, three assists) while Frank Goncalves, of the Reefs, nailed a solid five points (four goals, one assist).