Here, in front of the Skaneateles girls ice hockey team, was a week-long opportunity to show home crowds that it had the capability to equal its perfect 2016-17 run to a state championship.
The Lakers were already 3-0 going into last Tuesday’s game against Oswego at the Community Center, but then made it four in a row against the Buccaneers with a steady all-around effort that led to a 5-1 victory.
On one end, the Skaneateles defense closed ranks following Monica Cahill’s first-period goal. For the rest of the game, Oswego could not generate anything as Jessica Smith stopped 18 of the 19 shots she faced.
Meanwhile, the Lakers, with a pair of second-period tallies, got away, and Megan Teachout led the way, ultimately netting four of her team’s five goals to run her season total to 11. Heather Tanzella had the other goal, contributing an assist as Cecily Kawejsza had the other assist.
A weekend homestand began with Skaneateles taking on Beekmantown Friday night. The first 15 minutes proved decisive as the Lakers put up big totals and rode that early wave to a 6-4 victory.
During the first period, the Lakers built a 4-1 advantage. While unable to sustain that pace, Skaneateles did offer timely goals in the latter stages whenever Beekmantown would convert.
As she earned yet another hat trick, Teachout augmented her three goals with a pair of assists. Sophia Burns also had two assists as she, along with Ioanna Christou and Genevieve Morrow, earned single goals. Tanzellla and Grace Kush got one assist apiece.
Then, on Saturday afternoon, it was the Lakers against Plattsburgh, a game that featured yet another virtuoso effort from Teachout that keyed a 4-0 victory over the Hornets.
Teachout was involved in both scoring plays during the first two period, and then two more in the ensuing periods as she put in three goals and assisted on Burns’ tally.
Aside from that, and the assists from Christou and Kush, what stood out was the sheer puck possession of the Lakers, who kept it away from Plattsburgh and held the Hornets to just four shots all afternoon.
Two long road trips awaited the Lakers this week as it went to Alexandria Bay on Tuesday and then visit Saranac Lake Friday night.
