Though it wasn’t the case in technical terms, the West Genesee ice hockey team’s post-season began in earnest two weeks early.
Going into this week’s action, the Wildcats were two points behind Baldwinsville for the fourth and final Section III Division I playoff spot. Every game, and every point (two for a win, one for a tie) is vital if WG wants to avoid elimination.
Confronting Fayetteville-Manliius last Tuesday night, the Wildcats took care of its part, knocking off the Hornets 3-1.
WG broke a 1-1 tie with two goals in the second period, and its defense was superb, holding the Hornets to just 17 shots all night.
Ryan McConnell and Tim Besio each had one goal and one assist. Adam Mazzoni also found the net, while Conor Thompson gained two assists and Rob Sauda added an assist of his own.
This allowed WG to pull within a point of B’ville, for the Bees managed to play Auburn to a 1-1 tie and, by doing so, caught Liverpool for third place as it heads toward a Thursday showdown with Ithaca.
Given all that, the Wildcats know the equation as it goes into a pivotal weekend of home-and-home games against Oswego, who sits one point behind WG and two behind B’ville and Liverpool in this ultra-tight race for two playoff spots.
