At any level of ice hockey, it is difficult for an entire game to go without a goal.
Whether it’s 45 minutes in high school or 60 minutes in the college and professional ranks, plenty of time is allowed for skill or, in many cases, a lucky bounce of the puck, to allow something to find the net.
But when Fayetteville-Manlius and CBA/Jamesville-DeWitt battled for local bragging rights last Tuesday night at Onondaga Nation Arena, it would end 0-0.
Entering the game, the Brothers sat in fourth place in Division I, well-positioned behind the famliar trio of Syracuse, West Genesee and Baldwinsville on top.
The Hornets, who sat in eighth place, could move up the standings, and all through regulation and overtime applied regular pressure against CBA/J-D, only to get turned backs.
Yet the same thing happened to the Brothers, with all 23 of its shots stopped by F-M goalie Jake Johnston. That it wasn’t rewarded was a tribute to the work of CBA/J-D goalie Ethan White, whose 25 saves also produced a shutout.
F-M would get in the win column Thursday at Ontario Bay, prevailing 7-1 by building a 5-0 advantage through two periods, led by Ben Hammond’s pair of goals and Josh Kuchinski getting a goal and two assists.
Stephen Diblasi and John Manzi each had one goal and one assist, with Mike Hockenberger and Jason Tedeschi also scoring. Spencer Sasenbury got a pair of assists as Alex Corbett and Colin Debejian also had assists.
Hosting Mohawk Valley on Friday, the Brothers were pushed by the winless (0-10) Raiders, but did enough to gain a 3-2 victory, overcoming an incredible 50-save effort by MV goalie John Locke.
Goals by Mason McKie, Simon Lesser and Justin Thies proved enough, Kodi Dotterer getting two assists. Josh Greenwood and Brackton Bowler each had one assist.
Having climbed back above the .500 mark overall (6-5-1), F-M would meet Fulton at the Twin Rinks Wednesday and then challenge state Division II no. 1-ranked Skaneateles a night later as CBA/J-D (6-5-3) would host Liverpool Tuesday and then welcome reigning state Divisio I champion Syracuse on Friday.
