At least in the last two weeks of the regular season, the Cazenovia ice hockey team’s mission is clear – hang on to second place in the Division II National Conference and secure a Section III playoff home game for the Morrisville State IcePlex. Any hope of the Lakers climbing to the top disappeared last Saturday afternoon, at the IcePlex, where New Hartford clinched the regular-season league title and beat Cazenovia 4-1. These teams had first met Dec. 20, at New Hartford Recreation Center, a close game won 3-2 by the Spartans, and the closeness of that game gave the Lakers reason to think it could fare better the second time around on its bigger, friendlier home ice. And for a period, that feeling held up. New Hartford took an early 1-0 lead, but late in the opening frame Matt Mistur tied it up for Cazenovia, getting an assist from Collin McGaugh. Most of the second period proved a defensive struggle, but the Spartans inched back in front for good, 2-1, and then proceeded to score twice in the final period, getting away despite 26 saves from Lakers goalie Ryan McCann. Evan Strassberger led New Hartford, scoring twice, while Mike Fiorentino and Peter Rayhill both found the net, too. Alec Bard, Mike Mercurio, Jordan Romeo and Garrett Mahoney had one assist apiece. With an overall record of 7-8-1, Cazenovia would have a non-league game at home against Fayetteville-Manlius on Wednesday before a crucial league game Friday at Cortland.