Already jostling for top spots in Division II, the Skaneateles boys ice hockey team maintained an active travel schedule, making two more road trips in the first full week of December and not losing either time – but not winning, either.
The Lakers had a chance to seize the league lead in last Tuesday’s game against CBA/J-D at Onondaga Nation Arena in Nedrow, and did so – but had to rally to earn a 2-2 tie with the Brothers.
Most of the first period was played in CBA/J-D’s end, but Skaneateles had nothing to show for it, the game remaining 0-0. That nearly proved costly as the Brothers, with a pair of goals from Scott Firman, seized a 2-1 advantage in the second period.
Staying calm, Skaneateles tied it in the third period and went all-out through the remainder of regulation and overtime, only to get stymied by CBA/J-D freshman goaltender Tim Decker, who made 38 saves, twice the total of Laker counterpart Trevor Diamond.
Jake Cooney and Mitchell Jones earned the Skaneateles goals, while Matt Clymer, Gunnar Beck-Andersen, Jon Rogalia and Connor Hill had one assist apiece.
Skaneateles went to McDonald Sports Complex Saturday night for a non-league game at Cortland-Homer, where again it ended up with the same goals as the opponent in a 1-1 tie.
On the girls side, Skaneateles lost on Dec. 4 to Albany Academy 3-1, leaving it at 0-2 going into Friday’s home opener against Lake Placid at the Austin Park rink.
But the Lakers would break into the win column here, winning over Lake Placid 3-2 as it bolted to a 2-0 lead in the first period. After the margin was cut to 2-1, the Lakers tacked on a goal in the third period that proved enough to win.
Claire Michel, with two assists, anchored an attack where Erin Ganley, Paige Postalwait and Sophie Kush each had one goal. Nora Garrett and Madison Singler had one assist apiece. Amanda Lupo played in goal and earned 16 saves.
The Skaneateles girls are home again this Friday to face Salmon River, while the boys Lakers have two of its high-profile home games this week, meeting defending state Division II champion Cazenovia on Tuesday and Oswego on Friday night.
