Once all the snow stopped last weekend, the Skaneateles ice hockey team seized the opportunity to streak to the top of the Division II West standings.
In fact, the Lakers didn’t even have to take the ice last Saturday against Central Square, as the first-year varsity Red Hawks forfeited the game.
A day later, Skaneateles did play, against Ontario Bay, and put together one of its most impressive all-around efforts of the season to stop the Storm 9-3.
What motivated the Lakers was the way the first period progressed. Despite lots of chances, a couple of defensive lapses allowed Ontario Bay to seize a 2-1 lead.
Charging itself up at intermission, Skaneateles went out and, in the second period, took the Storm apart with five goals, then rubbed it in with three unanswered tallies in the final period.
Keith Buehler earned a hat trick, finding the net three times and adding two assists. Tory Cole wasn’t far behind, as he scored twice, while Kaj Beck-Anderson, Kyle Christine, Drake Hill and Jacob Bird all took turns with single goals.
Matt Wood earned three assists, with Patrick Emmer and Anthony Navarolli each getting two assists. Will Kraus and Ryan Dove got one assist apiece.
Ultimately, th Lakers earned second place in Division II East and, by doing so, will host Whitesboro Friday night in the opening round of the Section III playoffs. The winner is likely to face two-time defending state champion Clinton in the semifinal round.
