As it turns out, the wait to see the West Genesee and Syracuse ice hockey teams meet for the first time since last February’s Section III Division I final at the War Memorial would get extended by two weeks.
A winter storm that struck just as the two teams would have faced off last Friday night forced a postponement, and they’ll make it up Jan. 27 at Shove Park at 6:30, the later date only adding to the anticipation for this showdown.
Before this, Syracuse would get tested by 6-3-2 Cicero-North Syracuse at Meachem Rink last Wednesday night, but did a superb job on both ends passing that test as the Cougars blanked the Northstars 4-0.
True, it helped that C-NS had played the night before (a 4-3 home loss to Ithaca), but Syracuse didn’t take the task for granted, grabbing a 2-0 lead by the end of the first period.
Defensively, the Cougars proved it could it could ably contain a skilled opponent, holding the Northstars to 15 shots, all stopped by Klawitter.
Meanwhile, Ryan Eccles got two goals and Bryan O’Mara had three assists to lead a well-balanced Syracuse attack. Philip Zollo and Andrew Corning had the other goals, with Zollo joining Ryan Durand, Zach Delaney and Emmett Barry by getting single assists.
One night earlier, West Genesee met Watertown IHC, and it turned into a 14-0 romp, the Wildcats setting a season mark for goals by getting to double digits by the end of the second period.
Dan Colabufo piled up four goals and three assists, with Dan Holzhauer getting two goals and four assists. Joel Comins also scored twice and tacked on a pair of assists.
Patrick McDonald had a goal and three assists as Jimmy Bergan had one goal and two assists. John Bergan, Billy Fisher, Jacob Farrell and Chris Kleberg also scored, with Ryan Washo and Colton Rahner each getting two assists. Timmy Winn and Andrew Schneid earned single assists.
WG would face Fayetteville-Manlius Monday at Cicero Twin Rinks and return to Shove Park a night later to take on Ithaca. Meanwhile, Syracuse’s lone game this week is a big one, against reigning sectional Division I champion Skaneateles Friday night at Allyn Arena.
