With shutouts in more than half its wins, the West Genesee ice hockey team continues to separate itself from the rest of the Division I crowd as its win streak stands at 16 games.
Patience worked for the state no. 1-ranked Wildcats in last Tuesday’s game at Cicero Twin Rinks, where it did most of the offensive work late in a 5-0 victory over Cicero-North Syracuse.
Though it had to play defense most of the time, the Northstars held up quite well in the first two periods, only letting WG push in front 2-0, goalie Zach Hall working his way to 32 saves on the night.
Gradually, the Wildcats’ relentless pressure took a toll, though, as Nick Holzhauer, with two goals and one assist, led a late charge. Adam King and Shawn Lynch each had one goal and one assist, with Ryan Michel also scoring.
Casey Schattner had two assists, with Zach Lewis, Erich Haney and Tim Bubnack each landing single assists. Again, the Wildcats’ defense locked up an opponent, holding CNS to nine shots in its ninth shutout of the winter.
Back home at Shove Park Friday night to face Liverpool, the fun continued as the Wildcats wiped out the Warriors 8-0 for its 10th shutout of the season.
Already, the Wildcats had enough with a 2-0 lead going into the second period, but it really implied its will through a five-goal flurry in that 15-minute frame, one of the season’s best outbursts.
Seven different players scored, with only King finding the net twice. Haney backed up his goal with three assists, while John Sabert had a goal and two assists. Michel, Schattner, Erik Kurz and R.J. Tinklepaugh got single tallies as Bubnack earned two assists. Lynch, Lewis, Holzhauer, Matt Skrupa and Cody Ryan had one assist apiece.
Another threat to the Wildcats’ preeminence will come this Friday with a trip south to face Ithaca, always a tough team at its home rink.
