Weather caused all kinds of havoc to high school sports schedules in the first full week of 2015, and hockey teams from Liverpool and Cicero-North Syracuse were not immune.
The Warriors had its game with Watertown IHC last Wednesday postponed because of the massive snow in the north country that kept the Cavaliers from traveling.
Those problems did not face Fayetteville-Manlius, though, and the two sides squared off Friday at Cicero Twin Rinks (the Hornets’ home rink), where the Warriors took charge in the third period and pulled away for a 7-1 victory.
Through those first two periods, F-M had plenty of chances, but could not get it past Steven Kozikoski, who finished with 25 saves and gave the Warriors plenty of time to work out problems in its attack as it took a 3-1 lead to the final period.
During those final 15 minutes, Liverpool rolled, outscoring F-M 4-0 as Tyler Garofalo and Tom Bianchi both had two-goal efforts, with Bianchi adding an assist.
Nate Bittel proved the anchor of Liverpool’s attack, earning a goal and adding three assists. Bobby Welch also found the net, with Richie Hart and Riley Thompson adding one assist apiece.
This put the Warriors back to the .500 mark (6-6) going into Monday night’s home game against reigning Section III Division I champion West Genesee, who sits at 4-4-3. Liverpool also plays at Fulton Friday.
The Northstars (5-5-1) had its game with state-ranked Syracuse snowed out, too, but had no other action during the week and would get its own shot at West Genesee this Friday at Shove Park in Camillus.
