A week in advance of next week’s showdown with Division II leader Skaneateles, the Cazenovia ice hockey team got its first league win of the season in a tense, low-scoring affair.
The Lakers and Clinton went at it Tuesday night at the Morrisville State Complex, rarely giving each other room to work – but a single power play would make the difference as Cazenovia beat the Warriors 1-0.
Cazenovia controlled the flow of play from the opening faceoff onward, constantly putting pressure on Clinton’s defense. Right away, though, it was clear that Warriors goalie Joe Bonanza was on his way to a memorable night as he made a series of key early stops to keep it 0-0.
They were still scoreless when, midway through the second period, the Lakers got another power play. This time, though, it converted as passes from Connor Cannizzaro and Conor Race set up Jeff Stowell for the go-ahead goal.
That was it in terms of solving Bonanza, as Clinton’s netminder finished with 34 saves. Yet the Warriors didn’t get much of a chance to reward that effort, its attack stymied as Cazenovia gave up just 13 shots, all of them smothered by Mario Benedetti.
Aside from meeting Skaneateles next Tuesday, Cazenovia (2-1) will make a trip to New Hartford on Dec. 15.
