Oceanside skates into playoffs

The 2013-14 Nassau County hockey campaign has been a bit of a roller coaster ride for Oceanside, which enters its Liberty Division regular-season finale Thursday at 9 p.m. against Wantagh/Seaford at Bethpage Ice Skating Rink with a .500 record and a spot in the playoffs already locked.

“We’re a little inexperienced compared to recent seasons, but we’ve got a bunch of go-getters and pretty much every game has been close,” Sailors coach Bill Clark said. “It’s good to be headed back to the playoffs, and we should have a full squad ready to go.”

Oceanside (8-8-1) sits in fourth place in the seven-team division behind Levittown/Hicksville, Lynbrook/East Rockaway, and Manhasset. Thirteen of the Sailors’ 17 games have been decided by three goals or fewer, and one wasn’t decided at all when they played Manhasset to a 6-6 deadlock at Long Beach Arena on Jan. 26. “It was one of the most exciting games of the season,” Clark explained. “It was mostly back-and-forth, and we ended up rallying from three goals down to tie.”

Senior Daniel Bonaker, one of the team’s top defensemen, scored the equalizer against Manhasset late in the third period. “I was saying to Danny throughout the game how he was playing too much offense,” Clark recalled. “Then he made a great rush and got the big goal. That’s the kind of player he is. He’s an all-around steady defenseman.”

Senior Daniel Landstom is the other big piece of the defensive puzzle, which also includes juniors Dylan Toron, Shane Clark, and Matt Levitz. The coach said he rarely uses Bonaker and Landstom at the same time, unless the Sailors get a power play opportunity. “They both hit and move the puck really well,” Clark said. “We split them up during regular shifts and on the penalty kill.”

The goaltending duties have been handled by starting senior Dom Lamanno, a key contributor to the 2011-12 county championship and state runner-up team, and sophomore Michael Devine. Lamanno, selected to the Nassau County All-Star team in each of the past two seasons, juggles club obligations with the high school league. “Dom’s a strong and experienced goalie,” Clark said. “When he’s available, he’s been our guy. Michael has filled in well when he’s been called upon, and he’s our No. 1 looking ahead to next season.”

The offense is led by senior captain Michael Jennings, a playmaking center with 18 goals and 14 assists. “He’s a lefty with size and lots of offensive ability,” Clark said. “He’s got some dazzle in his game.”

Senior Jeremy Leider, who centers the second line, has talents similar to Jennings and is another playmaker and scorer, Clark said. A right-handed shot, Leider has 11 goals and 10 assists. Speedy junior Greg Verdino (eight goals, 10 assists) has emerged as the top winger in his first season with the program.

The Sailors are likely to face Levittown/Hicksville in the first round of the playoffs this Sunday. For a start time and location, visit www.allprosoftware.net/HSHLNC.