Back home at Shove Park Friday night to face 2-9 Oswego, the West Genesee ice hockey team was supposed to roll — but once again the Wildcats needed some late drama to prevail, edging past the Buccaneers 4-3.
Three days earlier, WG needed a third-period rally to get past Fayetteville-Manlius 2-1, but at least the Hornets were second in the Division I standings. Oswego was supposed to be an easier foe.
But though Erich Haney, Zach Lewis and D.J. Mazzoni produced goals, Oswego matched them each time as Tom Darling, Trent Yule and Greg Unger each put shots past Evan Mazzoni. Matt Howard proved to be an equalizer, the Bucs’ goalie earning 37 saves on the night.
WG kept up the pressure, though, right up until the late stages of regulation. And just before Oswego could force overtime, D.J. Mazzoni pushed the tie-breaking goal past Howard with 23 seconds to play.
On Tuesday night, the Wildcats take its 14-1 mark on the road to Auburn, just before a big Friday showdown with fellow Division I contender Baldwinsville at Shove Park.