Though the progress remains slow at times, the Skaneateles girls ice hockey team is getting better and starting to flourish as the days run out in 2013.
The Lakers went to Ithaca last Wednesday night, and it led most of the way, only to see that advantage get away in the third period, forcing the visitors to settle for a 2-2 tie with the Little Red.
Madison Singler owned the first period. Twice, she broke free and put shots into the net, getting assists from Riley Donahue, Lynn Copeland, Sophie Kush and MaryKate McHale.
And that 2-0 Laker lead held up for a long while, the Little Red unable to get anything past Amanda Lupo, who was working her way to a 21-save night.
Yet Ithaca kept plugging away, and in the final period it twice beat Lupo for the goals that evened up the contest. A five-minute overtime period provided no resolution.
Back home at Austin Ice Pavilion Friday night, the Lakers met up against Canton, the same team it beat 2-1 up north six days earlier.
The rematch proved even more decisive as, for the first time all season, the Skaneateles attack opened up on a consistent basis, leading to an impressive 6-0 shutout victory.
And the best part for the Lakers was that the production picked up as the game went along. Skaneateles led Canton 1-0 after one period, and then tacked on two more goals in the second period and scored three times in the final period.
Sarah Sauda proved to be the catalyst, notching three assists to go with her lone goal. It was a well-balanced attack, too, as only Grace Schnorr scored twice.
Singler, Mallory Kovacs and Caroline McGuigan each had one goal, with Copeland, Donahue, McHale and Claire Michel getting assists. Lupo stopped all 11 shots she faced.
And the Lakers carried that momentum into Saturday’s game against visiting St. Lawrence, pulling off yet another shutout, this one by a 5-0 margin.
This time, Skaneateles did most of its damage in the first period, bolting out to a 3-0 lead. By game’s end, eight different Laker players had earned points.
Copeland led the way, scoring twice. Michel, Schnorr and Paige Postalwait had one goal apiece, while Singler, Donahue and Kush got one assist apiece. Three different goalies saw action, with Lupo, Kathryn Lindgren and Maria McLean combining for 14 saves.
Now at 3-2-2 on the season, the Lakers play in a tournament hosted by Albany Academy next Friday and Saturday before taking a two-week holiday break.
