The move of the Cazenovia ice hockey team from Division II to Division I was challenging enough even before a series of early-season games proved that more work lay ahead.
With changes in how the New York State Public High School Athletic Association handled combined teams, the Lakers, who have players from Cazenovia and many other neighboring schools, were moved up to Division I, as were CBA/Jamesville-DeWitt and Ontario Bay.
Ironically, Cazenovia’s first game was against a powerhouse still in Division II – Skaneateles, on Nov. 21 at Allyn Arena, where the visiting Lakers were unable to get on the board in a 9-0 defeat.
Skaneateles got away with four goals in each of the last two periods. Only Logan Palmer’s 60 saves kept it from more as Ryan Gick led the hosts with three goals and one assist, while Cole Heintz scored twice.
After a nine-day layoff, Cazenovia was back in action during last weekend’s Bobby Conklin Memorial Tournament at Lysander Arena, where on Friday it was blanked again, this time by Watertown IHC in a 2-0 decision.
Gabe Horner scored both of the Cavaliers’ goals, the only one to solve Palmer, who stopped the other 15 shots he faced. None of the Lakers’ 20 shots got past IHC goalie Colton Young.
A day later, the Lakers faced Fulton, who had lost 11-0 to host Baldwinsville the day before. Here, in its third game, Cazenovia finally got on the scoreboard, yet still lost 4-2 to the Red Raiders, who had Eric Shear score twice and Joe Galvagno and Derek Schumaker each get a goal and two assists.
For its home opener Tuesday night at Morrisville State IcePlex, Cazenovia challenges defending sectional Division I champion Syracuse, with last year’s other sectional finalist, Baldwinsville, visiting the IcePlex Friday night.
