SKANEATELES – Like all others in “high-risk” sports approved for competition, the Skaneateles/West Genesee girls ice hockey team were grateful to have an opportunity for a season after it was in doubt for so long.

The Lakers had last seen action in February 2020, when it reached the Section III final before falling to Clinton, the eventual state champions.

Nearly a year later, Skaneateles returned to game action when it made a trip north to face Oswego Feb. 19. Proving it had not let the wait affect them, the Lakers put together a 5-0 shutout of the Buccaneers.

Having grabbed an early 2-0 advantage, Skaneateles stayed patient through a scoreless second period before scoring three times in the final frame to pull clear.

Those five goals came from five different players – Adriana Barbuto, Scout Odemool, Rebecca Cain, Rachelle Cain and Lizzy Sachar.

Barbuto and Odemool also had assists as four others – Torrey Campbell, Emily Evans, Molly Mahoney and Alexis Fessinger – also got assists. The Lakers’ defense held Oswego to 10 shots, all stopped by Isabelle Wells.

Back home last Wednesday night, the Lakers faced Ithaca and tore in front with all of its goals in the first two periods on the way to a 9-1 victory over the Little Red.

Leading the way, Rebecca Cain put together a three-goal hat trick, plus an assist, with Evans scoring twice.

Odemool and Barbuto each had three points thanks to a goal and two assists. Sachar had one goal and one assist, with Rachelle Cain also getting a goal and Campbell gaining an assist.

Another game with Ithaca takes place this week after two encounters with Oswego, with two games the following week against the reigning state champions from Clinton.