Much changed for the Baldwinsville ice hockey program in the 11-plus months since it last competed.
Aside from the usual roster turnover, the Bees’ home facility in Lysander underwent an ownership change, the result of which was a new name for the facility – Three Rivers Athletic Complex.
Also, Liverpool, who played home games in Lysander in recent years, moved back to its original home at State Fair Coliseum.
Ironically, when the Bees had its long-awaited 2021 opener, it was against Liverpool – and B’ville would flourish, keeping the Warriors off the board in a 7-0 shutout.
Brayden Penafeather-Stevenson put the Bees on the board with the lone goal of the first period, assisted by Brayden Lynch.
Then B’ville added three more goals in the second period. Sam Ciappa scored off a feed from Alex Pompo, with Penafeather-Stevenson finding the net for a second time and Lynch, who assisted on that goal, converting late in the period to make it 4-0.
More followed in the third period, Matt Carner assisting on Luke Hoskin’s’ goal before Reece Gilmore converted midway through the period and Fernando Moreno finding the net, assisted by Hoskins.
A night later, B’ville met Fayetteville-Manlius at Cicero Twin Rinks, and while it was a lot closer than the opener, the Bees were successful again, toppling the Hornets 4-2.
It all hinged on the second period, where B’ville broke out of a 1-1 tie by scoring twice and, more importantly, keeping F-M quiet, goalie Jon Schrimer ultimately stopping 22 of he 24 Hornets shots he faced.
Again, the production was spread around, Leo Vona and Zach Cole getting two assists apiece as Penafeather-Stevenson, Hoskin, Matt Fawwaz and Garrett Sutton each netted a goal. Pompo and Alex Marsallo also earned assists.
B’ville’s first big test would come Monday (weather permitting) against the reigning two-time sectional Division I champion Syracuse Cougars, after which it has a rematch with F-M on Saturday.
