The sweet smell of playoff hockey is in the air as we approach the final games of the Sharks inaugreal season. The Sharks looking to gain some momentum for the playoffs hosted the Beantown Bees and Massachusettes Mullisha this past weekend. The major team has already locked up a playoff spot and are currently in a three way battle for first place in the New England division. While the minor team is looking to secure a playoff spot and avoid traveling to Boston for the first round of the playoffs.

Before the games began the Sharks minor team were six points out of second place behind Beantown Bees and Hartford Fireants. With two wins they would be able to stay home and have the home ice advantage as the Sharks fans make it a tough place for visitors. In Game 1 the Sharks came out with speed and quickly jumped up 1-0 as Charles Nack put in the rebound from Trey Hartwell. The energy continued to grow and shortly after Adam Koziel made it 2-0 on a nice feed from John Hartwell. The Sharks minor team was out looking to dominate as they completly out hustled Beantown the entire first period and with two more first period goals from Bryan Wish and William Hopper, Suffolk ended the period up 4-1. The second period was a different story. Suffolk began to relax and not pressue Beantown in their offensive zone and the ice started to tilt towards Beantown. Sloppy play ensued and Suffolk once again had trouble staying out of the penalty box. Beantown began to close the gap and eventually tied it up as an errant pass from Mikey Mannino landed on Mike Upton's stick as he beat Greg Braska with only 33 seconds left in the game. In overtime Suffolk controled the play wearing out Beantowns skaters for four and a half minutes of the five minute overtime. On a fluke play Beantown was able to put in a loose puck as a scramble took place in front of Braska and with only 5 seconds to go Suffolk had been defeated.

In the second minor game, needing the win to split, Suffolk's goalie Greg Braska stepped up for the team. Soft defense at times left Greg facing some difficult shots. Looking like a young Marty Broduer, Braska stopped 17 of 18 as the Sharks won 2-1. With in the final minute of the game Braska went post to post to stuff Beantown's leading scorer Joe Brennan to preserve the lead. Team co-captain Mikey Maninno also stepped up and grinded out both of the Sharks goals. With the win the minors were able to take three of the four possible points and put themselves in a good position with only six games to go.

The Sharks elite team then took the rink and put on a great show for the fans. The Massachusettes Mullisha got on the board first at the 7:29 mark as they were firing shots from all angles. Suffolk goalie Sal Capito was on point as he stopped 19 of 20 in the first period and finished with 34 saves. Once Suffolk was able to settle in the scoring brigade began. Mike Prainito (2g, 1a) started the scoring of what would be 5 unanswered goals. Only a minute later Steven Noto fired a blast from 40+ feet out that beat the Mullisha goalie high glove side (see video highlight). At the end of the first it was a close game as Suffolk led 2-1. The second period was a goalies nightmare. A total of 11 goals were scored between the teams. The Sharks started the scoring binge as the line of Rob LoPinto and Rob Mannino hooked up for their first of goals. The Sharks spread the scoring around as John Lechmanski scored 2, Max Stern added one and Mike Prainito added his second of the game as Suffolk easily won 9-5. Within just over 3 minutes starting at the 9:09 there was 7 goals scored with five of them from Suffolk. With 4 points (3g, 1a) Rob LoPinto earned the games #1 star, Mike Prainito was the second star and with four assists Eric Rieger earned the third star.

In game 2 fans were treated to the Sharks best showing of the season. Once again they put up 9 goals, but this time holding the Mullisha to a lonely goal. Highlights from this game can be seen on the main page. Suffolk out shot Massachusettes 21-7 in the first and took a 4-0 lead. Rob Lopinto continued his torrid scoring pace when he opened the scoring at 5:56 in the first on a pass from Eric Rieger. Thomas Cartwright the first of his three 2 minutes later. Late in the period frustration started to show on the Mullisha's faces and with a clear breakway John Lechmanski was tripped up by Brian Rousseau earning Suffolks most deadly scorer a penalty shot. As expected Lechmanski came in and forced the goalie to move side to side opening up his 5-hole as Lechmanski slid the puck in. Just 45 seconds later Thomas Cartwright netted his second a short handed goal as he put in the rebound of a 2 on 1. In between periods the Sharks honored their newest member to the family, the Suffolk Sharks 8 and Under team. Earlier in the day they played in their first tournament, and played very well. The second period was similar to the first as Suffolk once again out shot Massachusettes 26-7. John Lechmanski added two more early and the Mullisha took 2 misconduct penalties shortening their already short bench. Noto added a powerplay goal, Eric Rieger scored his first of the day, and Thomas Cartwright reorded his hat trick as the Sharks earned the sweep 9-1. John Lechmanski was the first star with 4 points (3g, 1a), Cartwright the second with 3 goals and Eric Rieger was once again the third star with 2 points (1g, 1a).

With six games left to go each game is a must win for both teams. The larger rink gives the Sharks a big a big advantage over the Boston teams. April 18th Suffolk will travel to Jersey to face the New Jersey Surge. The next day they will be back on the Island for another match up with Boston. This time the Swamp Donkeys will be the oppenent. Currently Boston holds 1st place in in both divisions, the majors posting a 19-8-1-0 record 4 points ahead to Suffolk, while the minors are 25-3 and have locked up home rink in the playoffs. Come see your Sharks, tickets are only $5 at the door.