Though it sometimes isn’t pretty, and it always is stressful, the Cazenovia ice hockey team has shown that, at its best, it could threaten front-running New Hartford in the Division II National Conference race by the time the winter is over.
The Lakers hosted Oswego on Dec. 19 at the Morrisville State IcePlex, and in a contest that went back and forth, Cazenovia made the last move and defeated the Buccaneers 3-2.
Oswego got in front, 1-0, early in the first period, only to have Cazenovia counter with Jake Stowell netting the equalizer.
They stayed that way until the second period, when Adam Race fired a shot home to give the Lakers a brief edge. This time, it was the Bucs rallying with a goal midway through that frame, and they stayed 2-2 until deep into the third period.
With 7:24 to play, Race was well-positioned again, and he converted his second go-ahead goal of the night. This time, though, it proved the game-winner as a stingy Lakers defense turned back all of Oswego’s late-game opportunities.
Cazenovia now had six points in the National Conference, two behind New Hartford, a team it lost to by that same 3-2 margin on Dec. 13 and doesn’t face again until Jan. 31 at the IcePlex.
On Tuesday, two days before Christmas, Cazenovia would play Cicero-North Syracuse on the Northstars’ home ice at the Twin Rinks, and struggle from start to finish in a 6-0 defeat to the Northstars.
A close game broke open when C-NS scored three times in the second period, overcoming goalie Cameron Fry’s 21 saves. Matt Siegel (two goals, two assists) and Sutter Donegan (three assists) led the Northstars’ attack with Robert Mitchell also scoring twice.
On Friday, Cazenovia would begin play in the Cortland-Homer Tournament, taking on the host Golden Eagles at the McDonald Sport Complex. The consolation and championship games are Saturday.
