When the Cicero-North Syracuse ice hockey team put a scare into West Genesee in a 3-2 defeat Jan. 9 at the Twin Rinks, it gave the Northstars reason to think that it could make the rematch at Shove Park four days later just as tough.
But the Wildcats took away those dreams in a hurry, bolting out to a 4-0 lead before the first period ended and going on to defeat C-NS 7-1.
Led by James Schneid, who had two goals and two assists, WG used its depth to wear the Northstars down and nearly had a shutout before Carter Wisely scored in the third period, assisted by Tanner Long and Aidan Long.
C-NS goalies Jordan Miller and Kaii Van Luven had 26 saves. James Schneid was the only Wildcats player to score twice, single goals going to Andrew Schneid, Tom Shields, Billy Fisher, Alex DeSantis and Joe McLaughlin.
When it was Liverpool’s turn against West Genesee 24 hours later on that same Shove Park ice, the Warriors were unable to get on the board in a 3-0 loss.
Liverpool managed just seven shots all night against a stingy WG defense, while it had to absorb plenty of pressure, which James Welch handled well, recording 28 saves.
Ultimately, the Wildcats found the net three times, all in the first two periods, with single goals by Fisher, Jake Kopek and Anthony Felix.
Again on the road Wednesday, C-NS faced Rome Free Academy at Kennedy Arena, and things did not turn around as the Northstars fell 5-1 to the Black Knights.
Other than Tyler Murray’s third-period goal, C-NS was quieted by an RFA defense anchored by goalie Isaiah Nebush, who had 29 saves. On the other end, the Black Knights’ Jake Hall burned the Northstars with three goals and one assist.
Another road trip followed on Friday night, C-NS now at the Morrisville State College IcePlex taking on a Cazenovia side that had won back-to-back games after starting the season 0-7.
And the Lakers nearly made it three in a row, bolting to a 4-1 lead through two periods, But the Northstars made it all the way back in the third period to tie it and then won 6-5 in overtime.
Matt Cramer led the comeback, netting a three-goal hat trick plus an assist. Carter Wisely had a goal and two assists, with Tanner Long and Braylen Tuff also converting. Holden Sarosy and Nick Tangretti each had one assist.
Back on Thursday, it was Liverpool against reigning state Division I champion Syracuse at Meachem Rink. The Cougars, who had won four in a row, had little trouble running that streak to five as it overwhelmed the Warriors 11-1.
Connor Boland’s first-period goal, assisted by Matt Gagnon, prevented a shutout, but that came as Syracuse built a 5-1 advantage in that opening frame, and would take it further.
Gavin Buza finished with 19 saves for Liverpool as the Cougars’ Kaleb Benedict got five goals and two assists, while Ryan Durand had four goals and two assists.
On Tuesday night, Liverpool takes on CBA/Jamesville-DeWitt at Onondaga Nation Arena before the Warriors host Ithaca on Friday. C-NS hosts Ontario Bay that same Friday after meeting Baldwinsville Tuesday at Lysander.
