To be sure, the Skaneateles girls ice hockey team has vastly improved its play during the latter portion of the 2011-12 season.
Further proof of this was offered last Thursday night, against Ithaca, where the Lakers delighted the hometown fans at the Austin Park Pavilion, beating the Little Red 3-1.
Ithaca was ahead of Skaneateles in the Section III division, but it hardly mattered here, especially in the late going.
The Lakers took a 1-0 lead in the first period, only to see the Little Red tie it in the second period. But in the final period, Skaneateles scored twice and held on behind the work of goaltender Amanda Lupo, who stopped 22 of the 23 shots she faced.
Offensively, Sophie Kush, Mikaela Scanlon and Madison DuBeau each had one goal, while Sarah Sauda and Morgan Mathews found the assist column.
Still at home Friday night to face Oswego, the Lakers blanked the Buccaneers 3-0. Much like the Ithaca game, the game was tight until the third period, where once again Skaneateles would land a pair of goals and put away a victory.
Madison Singler led the attack, earning one goal and one assist, while Allison Weis and Claire Michel also scored. Sauda, Rachel Campbell and Erin Ganley picked up assists, and the defense was so effective that Lupo only had to make 10 saves for the shutout.
Monday’s rematch with Oswego at Crisafulli Rink would close out the Lakers’ regular season.
