In two games, and six periods of work, the Cazenovia ice hockey team could not get on the board against those other Lakers from Skaneateles.
The second of those shutouts took place last Tuesday night, at Allyn Arena, where Skaneateles delivered a 3-0 decision, far less lopsided than the 7-0 shutout on Dec. 11 at the Morrisville State IcePlex, but just as effective.
Tom Bronk scored the game winner 4:54 into the first period. The senior wing got loose near the face-off circle and sent a high wrist shot that slipped through the pads of Cazenovia goalie Mario Benedetti.
Skaneateles took total control less than five minutes into the second period. Owen Kuhns made it 2-0 on the power play when he one timed a Mitchell Jones pass home at 57 seconds. Taylor Haberstock tripled the hosts lead at the 4:29 mark,completing a long 2-on-1 rush with linemate Kuhns.
Cazenovia (4-8-3 overall, 3-5-3 Division II) held a territorial edge the rest of the second period, but couldn’t solve Kupp. Neither team generated much offense in a free flowing third that only saw pair of coincidental minor penalties called.
Cazenovia coach Jon Davignon came away impressed with Skaneateles. “They’re the best team we’ve played thus far,” Davignon said. “I think it’s going to be hard to beat them.”
Back home at the IcePlex Friday night, the Lakers faced New Hartford, who was also in the Division II playoff mix, and again things did not go well as it lost to the Spartans 6-2.
Sporting a deep, well-balanced attack, New Hartford overwhelmed Cazenovia and built a 5-2 lead through two periods, negating the goals put up by Brad Nardella and Niklas Meiler. Connor Cannizzaro assisted on both tallies as A.J. Davis and Jeff Stowell also got credit for assists.
Ryan McCann played most of the game in the net and finished with 27 saves. For the victorious Spartans, Tommy Mandel led the way, with two goals and one assist.
Cazenovia (4-9-3, 3-6-3 league) would remain at home Tuesday to face Auburn, and plays at Fulton on Friday night.
