What the Cazenovia ice hockey team hoped for, in the immediate aftermath of its come-from-behind overtime win over CBA/Jamesville-DeWitt on Jan. 16, was to get more chances to prove itself as a Division II league and sectional title contender.
But the weather didn’t completely cooperate. Last Tuesday’s snowstorm postponed the state Division II no. 7-ranked Lakers’ visit to Clinton, so the Lakers will have to wait until Feb. 9 to make that trip to Clinton Arena, which could prove important in the American Conference race.
Thus, Cazenovia was off Thursday, when it did make the trip to Haldane Arena to face Ontario Bay. Despite a 3-9 record, the Storm stayed within range most of the night, but steady play down the stretch on both ends allowed the Lakers to prevail by a 3-2 margin.
They were tied, 1-1, through one period, and while Cazenovia went in front during the second period, it was still 3-2, and nervous, going into the final frame. In those last 15 minutes, though, the Lakers’ defense kept Ontario Bay from catching up and tacked on an insurance goal.
Brenden Whalen led the way, his goal and two assists part of a balanced attack where Jake Lewis, Jake Stowell and Alex Marshall also found the net. Together, they overcame the 45 saves put up by Storm goaltender Austin Bovee as Matt Gurasce netted one Ontario Bay goal and assisted on the other, by Mike Yard.
Yet another road game took place Saturday afternoon, Cazenovia going to Kennedy Arena and taking on struggling Rome Free Academy. And the Lakers would add to those struggles, breaking loose in the second period and claiming a 4-1 victory over the Black Knights.
Already with a 1-0 advantage through one period, Cazenovia took charge by finding the net three times in that second period and, more importantly, shutting down anything RFA tried, Cameron Fry recording 14 saves and blanking the Black Knights until Shaun Burris scored in the third period.
Colin McGaugh led the Lakers’ charge, twice finding the net. Matt McGaugh and R.J. Smith had the other goals as Stowell, Graham Demo and Nate Morgan earned one assist apiece.
Cazenovia (12 points) entered this week one point ahead of New Hartford and two points ahead of Auburn in the American Conference standings.
Games remain against both of those chasers in February, but only after the Lakers take on Cicero-North Syracuse Tuesday at the Morrisville State IcePlex and then visit Whitesboro on Thursday night.
