For the only time this winter, the Liverpool and Cicero-North Syracuse ice hockey teams brought the ‘Star Wars’ rivalry to the rink – or more specifically, to the Twin Rinks, and Monday night’s showdown provided plenty of excitement.
Up until the last minute of regulation, the two sides were on even terms, but the Warriors, backed a large contingent of visiting fans, surged out in front and held on to defeat to the Northstars 4-2.
Each side had plenty of chances to attack early, but Liverpool took more advantage of them, grabbing a 2-1 lead through one period. Then it went quiet for a while, shut out in the second period as C-NS pulled even, 2-2.
And it remained 2-2, with less than five minutes to play. Instead of overtime, though, the Warriors pushed in front with the go-ahead goal and tacked on another in the waning minutes to double its margin.
Bobby Welch returned to the lineup and sparked Liverpool’s attack, earning a pair of assists, though It was Tyler Dorval earning two goals and one assist and Tommy Bianchi getting one goal and two assists. Jeff Gentile had the other goal.
As for C-NS, Parker Lane and Zach Matyasik found the net, with Logan Field, Matt Cramer and Robert Mitchell getting one assist apiece. Jack Doren made 19 saves in goal, but Liverpool counterpart Sebastian Jesmore topped him, earning 22 saves.
Liverpool, who improved to 3-4 on the season, plays Canton this Thursday at Lysander Arena, its only game in a 16-day stretch until Jan. 4, when it faces Mohawk Valley.
Having lost its third straight game following a 2-0 start, C-NS would get time to regroup before going to Casey Rink Wednesday to face Auburn and confronting West Genesee on Friday afternoon at the Twin Rinks.
