Part of the changes the Solvay ice hockey team underwent after its departure from State Fair Coliseum was the title of its annual holiday tournament.
Instead of the “King of the Coliseum”, it was now “King of the Arena”, as four sides gathered at Allyn Arena in Sknaeateles, including the Bearcats, who were looking to find top form again after a 4-2 defeat to first-place West Genesee on Dec. 23.
That wasn’t difficult in Monday’s opening round, as Solvay crushed Ontario Bay 11-2. The Bearcats’ production only increased as the game went on, as it scored four times in the second period and added five more goals in the third period.
Ben Walsh and Carmen Gacek each scored twice, while David Graf had a goal and two assists. Peter Lynch, Kyle McVey, Jimmy Farrella and Will Downs each had one goal and one assist, with Forrest Gilbert also converting. Pat Farrell and Ben Walsh got two assists apiece as Casey McHale and Tyler O’Mara claimed single assists.
Corcoran beat Liverpool 5-3 in the other part of the opening round, setting up Tuesday’s final between the Bearcats and Cougars, the second time they had met in eight days after Solvay prevailed 4-3 at Syracuse University’s Tennity Ice Pavilion on Dec. 20.
The rematch proved just as close, this time drifting into overtime before a quick strike allowed Solvay to win again, this time in a 3-2 decision.
Austin Webb would take center stage on this night. In the first period, he managed to take David Lilly’s pass and, in mid-air, redirected it past Corcoran goalie Liam Moore. Will Downs also scored, and Solvay led 2-1 going into intermission.
From there, though, the Bearcats went cold, unable to hold on to its lead as Corcoran pulled even in the second period. It then fell into a stalemate that lasted the rest of regulation, Moore making 23 saves but Solvay’s Ryan Bonk topping him as he got 24 saves.
The ending was quick and dramatic. Corcoran was on a power play in the first minute of OT when Downs made a steal and rushed the other way. Just as a Cougars defender approached him, Downs passed to Webb, whose 20-footer eluded Moore for the game-winner.
Downs garnered tournament MVP honors, as Graf, Bonk, McVey and Webb received All-Tournament selections, too. Liverpool rolled past Ontario Bay 7-1 in the third-place game.
These wins improved Solvay’s overall record to 9-2 as it now took a long, well-deserved rest. It would not play for 10 days until a visit to Cortland-Homer on Jan. 6.
