From massive production to a more modest approach, all in a matter of two games – that was the lot of the Fayetteville-Manlius ice hockey team early in the 2012-13 season. But the team also displayed an ability to shake off a poor performance in a hurry.
The Hornets, who crushed Central Square 10-1 in its Nov. 30 opener, fell back in last Tuesday’s game at Baldwinsville, falling to the Bees 4-2 at Lysander Arena.
B’ville had lost its opener to Cazenovia in overtime on the same night that F-M’s Anthony Angello was scoring seven goals against Central Square.
Needless to say, the Bees were bent on shutting down Angello – and did so, holding the junior without a point and blanking F-M overall as it took a 2-0 first-period lead.
The Hornets tried to fight back, as Mateo Capriotti got one goal in the second period and assisted on another, by Tom Doucet. But B’ville answered those goals and maintained its edge as Parker Ferrigan, with two goals and one assist, led the Bees’ attack.
Try as it could, F-M could not catch up in the third period, stymied by B’ville goaltender Josh Pinard, who stopped 25 of the 27 shots he faced. The Hornets’ pair of netminders, Ben Napierala and Erik Badger, combined for 33 saves.
Two nights later, F-M traveled again, this time to face defending Section III Division II champion Oswego. But this turned out better as a big third period pushed the Hornets to a 6-3 victory over the Buccaneers.
After a quiet first period where F-M inched in front 1-0, Oswego came back, tying it 2-2 by the end of the second period, even though the Hornets were getting more of scoring chances.
In those last 15 minutes, though, it was all Hornets, a four-goal outburst where Angello reclaimed his top form, constantly setting up scoring chances as he finished with four assists.
That led to Capriotti and Trevor Chase both scoring twice, while Angello got the other goal. Doucet and Ryan Amidon also earned assists. F-M’s defense excelled, too, limiting the Bucs to 16 shots.
All of this sets up F-M’s clash with five-time defending Division I champion West Genesee on Wednesday at the Twin Rinks. The Hornets stay at home Friday to take on the newly-formed Syracuse Cougars, who are off to a 3-0 start and just won the Robert Conklin Tournament at Baldwinsville just after the Hornets went there.
