While everyone was already quite aware of what quality the Skaneateles boys ice hockey possessed, the girls Lakers remained more of a mystery through the early stages of the season.
This Skaneateles girls side that reached the state final a season ago lost its first two games of the season, both at home, to Salmon River and Beekmantown, managing just two goals in those contests.
Things improved on Dec. 6-7 during a long road trip north, with the Lakers handling Massena and Potsdam by a combined 10-3 margin as its all-around game showed vast improvement.
Now back home at Allyn Arena last Thursday night, Skaneateles took on Oswego, and while its offense cooled off, one big scoring surge, plus lots of defense, helped the Lakers hold off the Buccaneers 2-1.
They were scoreless going into the second period, but then Skaneateles struck twice, Rebecca Cain netting each of those goals as Lizzy Sachar and Campbell Torrey both got an assist.
During the third period, Oswego pulled within one thanks to Erica Greene’s goal, assisted by Julia Roman, yet it could not tie things up.
The Lakers’ resistance held up as Evie Sheridan stopped 22 of 23 shots she faced. Meanwhile, Bucs goalie Ashley Finch had 30 saves.
Now another road trip followed on the weekend, the Lakers going to Crisafulli Rink to take part in the Oswego Tournament.
During it, Skaneateles lost 3-1 to Saranac Lake, the lone goal coming from Adriana Barbuto in the second period, assisted by Emily Evans. Rose Kozub, taking her turn in goal to give Sheridan a rest, recorded 21 saves.
Another 3-1 defeat followed a day later, to Malone, which left the Lakers at 2-3 overall.
Before all this, the Skaneateles boys ice hockey team went to Ithaca last Wednesday and, making it five wins in a row, blew out the Little Red 8-2.
Speeding to a 6-0 advantage through two periods, the Lakers spread out its attack, Garrett Krieger getting two goals and two assists as Colin Weeks also scored twice.
Jack Henry and Charlie Russell both got a goal and three assists, with Charlie Major getting one goal and two assists. Ben Clymer contributed a goal as Cam Lowe had two assists, Jacob French and Cole Heintz one assist apiece.
On Tuesday night, Sknaeateles would host Route 20 rival Auburn for the first of two regular-season showdowns before the Lakers would go to Rochester Friday to face SectionV power Victor.
As for the girls Lakers, it would also play twice this week, hosting Clinton on Wednesday before Friday trip to Ithaca.
