Having made a quick and exciting rise to the top of the local ranks, the Cicero-North Syracuse ice hockey team wanted to take one more step up and reach the Section III Division I championship game.

However, Rome Free Academy denied that opportunity, using a high-powered offense to overwhelm the Northstars 9-3 in Tuesday night’s Division I semifinal at Kennedy Arena.

The two sides had met once in the regular season, on Jan. 4, also at Kennedy Arena. CNS lost, 5-2, and since then the Black Knights had only improved, building a 19-game unbeaten streak and going 17-0-1 in that stretch, the only blemish a 3-3 tie with West Genesee.

Now, with the Wildcats looming as a possible opponent in Saturday’s sectional final at Utica Memorial Auditorium, the Northstars looked to cool RFA down, but by the time it got moving, RFA was already in control.

During the first period, the host Black Knights moved in front, 2-0, getting a particularly damaging goal when Mike Pekarski beat Zach Hall just 19 seconds before the intermission.

CNS did find the net twice in the second period, but RFA countered with three goals, expanding its margin, and pulled away in the final period as its relentless push wore the Northstars down.

In defeat, Eric Hamilton assisted on all three of CNS’s goals, with Brian Hamilton, Nick Hall and Matt Fiume scoring. Zach Hall made 22 saves, but RFA had too much firepower as T.J. Reilley landed three goals and one assist. Five others – Pekarski, Max Bartell, Garrett Reilley, Seth McCormick and Tim Philley – finished with three points apiece.

Despite this disappointment, CNS closed its season at 14-8-1, having made enormous progress this winter. Long gone are the days where CNS was pushed around by all Division I opponents, as this season gave the Northstars the belief that it can win a championship, and soon.