Not only did the West Genesee ice hockey team assume the favorite’s mantle in Division I by defeating Syracuse 3-1 on Jan. 14 at Meachem Rink, it also passed the Cougars in the state rankings.

Now the Wildcats were in the no. 2 spot, with the Cougars at no. 4, but WG’s spot would get tested in a tough weekend road trip to the north country where it took on state no. 6-ranked Massena on Friday and then, on Saturday, clash with no. 3-ranked Canton.

Almost on cue, Massena proved the toughness of this trip last Friday night, ending the Wildcats’ 12-game win streak and prevailing by a 3-1 margin.

This was largely a showcase for Red Raiders goaltender Noah Karmanyos. No matter how many times WG’s forwards charged to the net, Karmanyos met them, amassing 27 saves and setting the tone with a first-period shutout.

Only once did the Wildcats convert, on Dan Colabufo’s goal assisted by Marshall Winn 1:46 into the second period. But Massena countered with Nick Koszan, off a feed from E.J. Miller, tied it at the 10:35 mark of that same period.

They were still 1-1 when, 1:27 into the third period, a WG turnover turned costly when Josh Underwood seized the loose puck and put it past Sammy Colabufo. The Wildcats had all kinds of opportunities to get even again, but Karmanyos turned them back, and Massena clinched it on Turner Thomas’ empty-netter with 29 seconds left.

And now WG had to face Canton, a gave with more meaning since the Wildcats did not want back-to-back losses. And it was quickly evident that the defeat to Massena jolted the Wildcats, who responded by putting together a strong all-around performance and blanking Canton 4-0.

A pair of first-period goals got WG in front, and it eventually doubled that margin, seeing Matt McDonald take the lead, earning one goal and assisting on two others.

Winn, Dan Colabufo and Jimmy Zolla joined McDonald in the goal-scoring column, while Jay Considine got two assists. Jeff Kopek and Steve Anderson had one assist apiece, and the defense was so effective that Sammy Colabufo only had to make six saves.

Before all this, both teams resumed action last Wednesday night – WG hosting Fayetteville-Manlius at Shove Park, Syracuse taking on Mohawk Valley at Rome’s Kennedy Arena. And both would win with relative ease.

In WG’s case, that meant defeating the Hornets in another 4-0 decision, getting on the board with Ryan McDonald’s goal five minutes into the first period. Considine scored later in that frame to make it 2-0, and it stayed that way through the end of the second period, the Wildcats unable to get anything past F-M goalie James Kaffenberger, who finished with 33 saves.

But WG made it 3-0 just 38 seconds into the third period thanks to McDonald’s second goal, assisted by Anderson, and Dan Colabufo converted three minutes later as McDonald tacked on an assist, with Winn and Ryan Smith also gaining assists. Sammy Colabufo stopped all 10 shots he faced.

Meanwhile, against Mohawk Valley, Syracuse reclaimed the formula that had taken it to the top of the state rankings in the first place – a diverse attack using multiple lines to produce plenty of scoring chances and converting on a regular basis, too.

Matt Eccles and Matt Frye both found the net twice, with Eccles adding an assist. Bryan O’Mara had a goal and two assists, with Colby Skrupa piling up three assists. Philip Zollo added the other goal as he, along with Hugh White, Owen Rodgers and Joe Lamson, earned one assist apiece. Eddie White scored both of the Raiders’ goals.

A night later, the Cougars hosted Cicero-North Syracuse at Meachem, and it proved far from easy – but again, the depth of Syracuse’s attack proved a major asset as it outlasted the Northstars 6-4.

Six different players – O’Mara, Eccles, Frye, Zollo, Ryan Evanchak and Conrad Skrupa – picked up the Cougars’ six goals. O’Mara tacked on a pair of assists as Andrew Hodgens also earned an assist.

But C-NS did find some inroads against Syracuse’s defense, led by Noah Koenig and Logan Field, who each produced two goals and one assist. Turning other shots away, Jake Polacek earned 28 saves, with Northstars counterpart Jack Doren earning 32 saves.

Syracuse tests itself Tuesday against reigning state Division II champion Skaneateles at Allyn Arena before hosting Liverpool Thursday night.

WG only plays once this week, hosting Mohawk Valley Friday as the last tune-up before next Tuesday’s long-awaited return to Lysander Arena, where the Wildcats’ season ended a year ago and Baldwinsville waits again.