ROME – Though it didn’t finish first in West Genesee’s Ice Breaker Tournament on Nov. 29 and 30, the Baldwinsville ice hockey team still emerged from that event with more belief and confidence than before.
The Bees’ close call against reigning state Division II champion Skaneateles and the fact that West Genesee got out by Skaneateles offered a hint that the Bees could get itself in position for another championship push.
Those good feelings did not last, though.
In Tuesday night’s trip to Kennedy Arena to face Rome Free Academy, B’ville got a close look at a Black Knights squad also intent on moving into contention and proving it by defeating the Bees 3-1.
RFA, like B’ville, had split its first two games, beating Whitesboro but falling 5-1 to New Hartford. Here, though, its defense smothered most of the Bees’ attack, limiting it to just 19 shots overall.
Brody Clookey did score in the second period, yet the Black Knights still extended its margin and blanked the Bees the rest of the way.
Overcoming Nate Sotherden’s 12 saves, RFA got goals from Logan Waterman, Jacob Bruno and Tyler Lokker, with assists going to Jackson Marchione, Carmen Orton, Nate Van Wie and John Sharrino.
So the Bees carry a 1-2 record into next Tuesday’s home opener against Fayetteville-Manlius, with Whitesboro paying a visit to Lysander on Dec. 16.
