Though it had to wait longer than other Section III ice hockey teams to begin its 2019-20 season, the Cazenovia Lakers still had to deal with plenty of early obstacles.
The Lakers’ first game was on the road at Meachem Rink against reigning state Division I champion Syracuse, and it caught the Cougars off a defeat to Baldwinsville a few days earlier.
Syracuse proceeded to overwhelm Cazenovia 10-0, and after some fine early defense, the Lakers saw the Cougars score six times on them in the second period alone.
Between them, Lakers goalies Owen Bailey and Nick Korosec made 34 saves. For Syracuse, Cameron Walsh got a three-goal hat trick, with Kaleb Benedict notching two goal and three assists. Luke Dwyer and Colin Johnson also finished with three assists. Ryan Durand got a goal and two assists.
This followed scrimmages against Cortland-Homer and Rome Free Academy, and preceded Friday’s home opener at the Morrisville State College IcePlex where Cazenovia would host Fulton.
Again the Lakers would struggle against the Red Raiders, taking an 8-1 defeat despite getting its first goal of the season from Josh Whaley, assisted by Bryson Weaver.
Derek Schumaker led Fulton with two goals and four assists as John Dingman had two goals and two assists. Bailey finished the night with 21 saves for the Lakers.
Cazenovia would stay at the IcePlex this week, welcoming CBA/Jamesville-DeWitt on Tuesday and Auburn on Saturday.
