With impressive early-December tournament victories behind them, the West Genesee and Syracuse ice hockey teams eased into their simultaneous quests to rise to the top of their respective Division I leagues.
As the heavy favorite in the American Conference, WG followed up its Wildcat Classic title with a trip to Kennedy Arena last Tuesday night that resulted in a 7-1 victory over Mohawk Valley.
Even with an early goal from Dan Colabufo, it was 1-1 until Dan Holzhauer’s goal late in the first period pushed the Wildcats in front for good.
Then Colabufo returned to complete his hat trick with a pair of second-period goals before Ryan Smith and John Galimi converted late in the period to make it 6-1.
Timmy Winn tacked on a third-period goal as Patrick McDonald accumulated three assists. Billy Fisher and Mike McGuigan had two assists apiece as Holzhauer, Smith, Winn, Chris Kleberg and Joe Comins had one assist apiece.
WG was back at Shove Park Friday night to face another Section V opponent, Pittsford. Here, a strong mid-game stretch proved important for the Wildcats to claim its fifth win in a row as it beat the Panthers 5-3.
An otherwise quiet first period turned out satisfactory for the Wildcats when McGuigan netted the go-ahead goal. Then it got to 4-0 during an active second period where Colabufo converted twice, including one with 10 seconds left, with Holzhauer scoring in between.
That cushion was needed, since Pittsford put together a big finish with a trio of third-period goals, which may have made things quite interesting had Colabufo not completed his latest hat trick off a feed from McDonald, giving him 13 goals for the season.
Syracuse began its week by traveling north to face Watertown IHC at the Fairgrounds Arena. Fresh from its victory in the Dec. 1-2 Bobby Conklin Tournament at Baldwinsville, the Cougars blew out the Cavaliers 9-1.
A five-goal first period set a decisive tone, Syracuse going up 8-1 after two periods as Andrew Corning, Jack Grooms and Bryan O’Mara each scored twice, Corning getting two assists as Grooms and O’Mara had one assist apiece.
Ryan Durand earned a goal and two assists, with Ryan Eccles and Philip Zollo both getting one goal and one assist. Nate Frye got two assists as single assists went to Steve Matro, Hugh White and Skariwate Papineau.
Two nights later, Syracuse welcomed Liverpool to Meachem Rink for its home opener. Quite eager to play in front of a friendly crowd, the Cougars put everything together and romped to a 10-0 victory over the Warriors.
This time Syracuse had four goals in the first period. Continuing from there until it reached double digits, the Cougars saw O’Mara net four more goals, giving him 12 for the season, as Corning scored twice and Eccles got three assists.
Increasing his profile, Papineau had a goal and two assists, while Matro and Zollo each got one goal and one assist. White also had an assist.
In its only game this week, Syracuse would travel to Kennedy Arena to face Rome Free Academy. WG would travel to Fulton Tuesday before hosting Cicero-North Syracuse Friday night.
