With an opening weekend of defense-centered activity behind them, the Skaneateles boys ice hockey team was all too glad to display the other side of its game in its first league action of the season.
The Lakers had just two combined goals in a 1-0 win over Queensbury and 1-1 tie with Glens Falls on Nov. 25 and 26. By the time the first period was over in last Wednesday’s 8-2 romp over Fulton, it had double that total.
Deciding matters early, visiting Skaneateles roared out to a 4-0 advantage in those first 15 minutes. Though the host Red Raiders briefly rallied within 5-2 in the second period, the Lakers finished strong, too, doubling the margin in the final period.
Taylor Haberstock led the charge, getting a three-goal hat trick for the first time in his Laker career. Brendan Major, with two goals and one assist, and Jake Cooney, with a goal and two assists, also managed three-point outings.
Jim Rodgers had one goal and one assist, with Connor Hill getting the other tally. Jon Rogalia contributed two assists as Gunnar Beck-Andersen and Tom Bronk had single assists. Trevor Diamond stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced.
All this led to Friday night’s home opener against Whitesboro at Allyn Arena, where the Lakers struck again, unleashing more offense as it beat the Warriors 7-3.
Skaneateles again took advantage of a quick start and led, 3-1, through one period. But it was the second period that proved crucial as it kept Whitesboro off the board and doubled its margin to 5-1, allowing it to absorb the Warriors’ late surge without stress.
This time it was Scott Longtin earning the hat trick, scoring three goals, but it was Cooney and Major gaining the best point totals as each picked up a goal and three assists.
Not far behind, Haberstock had a goal and two assists, while Rogalia also found the net. Mitchell Jones picked up a pair of assists as Hill, Rodgers and Owen Kuhns got one assist apiece. Diamond only had to make 14 saves.
So early in the Division II race, Skaneateles, at 2-0 in the league (3-0-1 overall), is tied for first with Oswego, also 2-0 in league play. The Lakers would visit Onondaga Nation Arena to face CBA/J-D on Tuesday before a Saturday non-league game at Cortland-Homer.
