10/25 Recap: Rapid FIre (Semi)

The second half of the Metropolitan Division’s back-to-back weekend at Rapid Fire Arena brought the PIHA Semi-Pro level to center stage, as four of the division’s six teams clashed under the lights in Moriches, New York.
The evening featured eight games packed with offensive bursts, physical play, and stellar goaltending performances, setting an early tone in the race for the top spot in the Metro standings.

The Long Island Empire Snipers emerged as the class of the field, while the Suffolk Sting, Fusion Steel, and Moriches Sting each battled through a demanding double-round format in what proved to be one of the most entertaining nights of the young Semi-Pro season.

Recap Overview

The Long Island Empire Snipers finished the night unbeaten at 4-0-0, showcasing speed, structure, and scoring depth across all four lines.
The Suffolk Sting followed closely at 2-1-1, starting strong with two early wins before dropping a tight one to the Snipers and falling in a shootout in their finale.
Fusion Steel rebounded from a slow start to end the night at 2-2-0, including a dramatic shootout victory over Suffolk.
The Moriches Sting, still developing chemistry in their first full Semi-Pro season, went 0-4-0, playing disciplined hockey despite running into three of the division’s most complete lineups.

Individual Game Recaps

5:40 PM – Suffolk Sting 5, Fusion Steel 2
The Sting opened their night with a commanding performance, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back. Josh Weger tallied twice, while Dan Healy and John Healy each added goals. Suffolk’s transition game overwhelmed Fusion Steel, who got goals from Matt Hawkins and Brady Marszalek in the loss.

6:20 PM – Long Island Empire Snipers 3, Moriches Sting 1
The Snipers set the tone for their undefeated night with a balanced win over Moriches. Will Lalor, Nick Casazza, and Vinny Pontrello provided the scoring, and Conor O’Leary was sharp in goal, stopping 19 of 20 shots. Michael Rovinsky notched the lone Moriches tally.

7:00 PM – Suffolk Sting 5, Moriches Sting 1
In the second of back-to-back games for both squads, Suffolk’s offense stayed red hot. John Healy and Dan Healy combined for four points, while Drue Santora made 17 saves in goal. Moriches’ Michael Luzopone opened the scoring just seven seconds into the game, but Suffolk’s response was emphatic, with five unanswered goals.

7:40 PM – Long Island Empire Snipers 7, Fusion Steel 1
Long Island’s offense exploded for seven goals, led by Stephen Falkowski’s two-goal effort. Daniel Nelson and Will Lalor also contributed multipoint nights, while Ryan Wolsiefer and Brendon Nelson anchored the defense. Fusion’s lone goal came from Josh DiBlanda early in the first.

8:20 PM – Long Island Empire Snipers 2, Suffolk Sting 1
In a marquee matchup between two unbeaten teams, the Snipers held off a late Suffolk push to earn their third straight victory. Will Lalor and James Rieger scored for Long Island, while Matt Bernot had the Sting’s lone goal. Goaltenders Conor O’Leary and Drue Santora combined for 39 saves in a tight, playoff-caliber contest.

9:00 PM – Fusion Steel 5, Moriches Sting 2
Fusion found their stride with a dominant second period, led by Matt Hawkins and Josh DiBlanda, who each recorded multiple points. Anthony Tarquinio’s crew controlled possession and finished strong, while Daniel Pagano and Michael Luzopone provided the Moriches offense.

9:40 PM – Fusion Steel 5 (SO), Suffolk Sting 4
In the night’s most dramatic finish, Fusion erased a late two-goal deficit and won in a shootout, with Matt Hawkins scoring the deciding goal. Josh DiBlanda led Fusion with a pair of goals, while Suffolk’s Dan Healy had three points in defeat. The result marked the Sting’s first shootout loss of the season.

10:20 PM – Long Island Empire Snipers 5, Moriches Sting 1
The Snipers closed the event the same way they started it — in control. Stephen Falkowski capped an outstanding night with two more goals, while Daniel Nelson and Nick Casazza added tallies. Michael Rovinsky scored again for Moriches, but the Snipers’ structure and speed proved too much.

Team Recaps

Long Island Empire Snipers (4-0-0)
The Snipers were electric from start to finish, outscoring opponents 17-5. Stephen Falkowski (5 G, 3 A) and Will Lalor (3 G, 4 A) were unstoppable, while goaltender Conor O’Leary anchored the group with a .933 save percentage. Their blend of depth and pace has made them an early-season favorite in the Metro.

Suffolk Sting (2-1-1)
Suffolk looked every bit like a contender, opening 2-0 before dropping a close one to the Snipers and a shootout to Fusion. Dan Healy and John Healy combined for 10 points, while Josh Weger continued his hot start to the season. Their transition game and discipline keep them near the top of the standings.

Fusion Steel (2-2-0)
After early struggles, Fusion rebounded impressively with consecutive wins, including a shootout thriller over Suffolk. Matt Hawkins led the way with four goals and two assists, and Josh DiBlanda added steady offensive production. The team’s second-period surges were key in both victories.

Moriches Sting (0-4-0)
Though winless, Moriches’ effort never wavered. Michael Rovinsky and Michael Luzopone provided offense, while Danielle Speroff made several highlight-reel saves in goal. The Sting will look to regroup ahead of their next divisional event, with positives to build upon in all zones.

Individual Event Stars

1st Star – Stephen Falkowski (Long Island Empire Snipers)
A force throughout the event, Falkowski scored five goals and three assists across four games, including two multi-goal performances.

2nd Star – Dan Healy (Suffolk Sting)
The Sting’s engine on both ends of the floor, Healy recorded multiple points in three of four games and was clutch in key moments.

3rd Star – Matt Hawkins (Fusion Steel)
Provided a consistent spark for Fusion with four goals, including the shootout winner against Suffolk in one of the night’s most dramatic games.

Honorable Mentions:

• Will Lalor (Long Island Empire) – 3 G, 4 A, constant playmaker presence

• Josh Weger (Suffolk) – 3 G, 2 A, reliable finisher

• Josh DiBlanda (Fusion Steel) – 3 G, 3 A, steady on both ends

• Conor O’Leary (Long Island Empire) – .933 SV%, 4-0 record

What’s Ahead

The Metropolitan Division Semi-Pro race remains tight at the top, with the Long Island Empire Snipers and Suffolk Sting poised for another possible division showdown come playoff time.

That next stop comes on Saturday, November 8, 2025, when the Metropolitan and Mid-Atlantic Divisions collide at Marple Sports Arena in Broomall, Pennsylvania — a key early-season measuring stick in the race toward the 2026 PIHA Finals.