Recovering from a frustrating week that saw a tie with CBA/J-D and a loss to Corcoran, the Skaneateles ice hockey team would beat two other Division II West foes by a combined 18-2 margin and move back to the top of the standings.
First, the Lakers toyed with Central Square last Wednesday night at Allyn Arena, ripping past the Red Hawks 11-2.
It was the highest offensive total for the Lakers’ this season, and most of it was done in the first periods. Camping out in Central Square’s end, Skaneateles bolted out to a 9-0 lead by the time the third period came around, allowing everyone on the roster to see ice time.
Packy Jones, in particular, hurt the Red Hawks with three goals and four assists. Dylan VanHoltz scored twice, adding two assists, while Zach Augustine and Sean Cooney each earned one goal and two assists.
Dan Tarolli, Max Weiss, Jake Cooney and Tyler Stanton joined the goal-scoring parade, too, as Jon Rogalia earned two assists. Tom Jones, Jim Rodgers, Jake Bird and Mike Benson had single assists.
Two nights later, Skaneateles stayed home and looked to avenge its 2-1 defeat to Fulton on Dec. 17. And it did so in a big way, crushing the Red Raiders 7-0.
Unlike the Central Square game, the rout here was done on a gradual basis, with at least two goals in each period and a steady, relentless attack that converted on nearly a fourth of its 30 shot opportunities.
VanHoltz and Rogalia both had two goals and one assist, with Jones picking up a goal and three assists. Benson and Sean Cooney each got one goal and one assist as Brendan Major earned two assists. Augustine and Jim Rodgers earned one assist apiece.
These two wins helped the Lakers return, at least for the moment, to first place in Division II West with 21 points, one more than Cortland/Homer and CBA/J-D. And Skaenateles meets Cortland/Homer Friday at Allyn Arena, two nights after meeting Watertown IHC.
