Dealing with defeat for the first time in 28 games was made easier for the Skaneateles girls ice hockey team by the fact that it would have an immediate opportunity for payback.
Ithaca, who beat the Lakers 4-1 on Dec. 19, arrived at Allyn Arena for last Tuesday’s rematch, and the result proved different as Skaneateles used a pair of second-period power-play goals to take charge and beat the Little Red 3-1.
A key to the outcome was the way the first period unfolded. Skaneateles had most of the early opportunities, but then Ithaca attacked hard, eventually taking 10 shots, all of which were stopped by Jessica Smith.
Deep into the second period, it remained 0-0, but the Lakers gained momentum by killing off three Little Red power plays. Then, at the 8:33 mark, Skaneateles converted on its own power play when Megan Teachout scored, assisted by HeatherTanzella.
Given another power-play opportunity late in the period, the Lakers doubled its margin at the 13:35 mark, Teachout this time joining Campbell Torrey as they assisted on Ioanna Christou’s goal.
To get a further cushion, the Lakers made it 3-0 with 10:18 left as Tanzella swooped on the rebound of a Teachout shot and put it in the net.
Ithaca broke up the shutout with Hannah Partigianoni’s power-play goal midway through the third period, but that was all Smith would allow, finishing with 26 saves, three more than Little Red counterpart Catie Eisenhut.
Skaneateles wanted to seek its third win in a row at Clinton last Friday night, but it got snowed out. If the weather holds, the Lakers and Warriors will meet this Saturday at Allyn Arena after a Monday visit from Potsdam.
