ONONDAGA COUNTY – For the second time in less than a month, the Skaneateles boys ice hockey team was to put its long unbeaten streak on the line against the West Genesee Wildcats.
Having won at Shove Park on Nov. 23, the Lakers instead would see its Dec. 18 rematch with the Wildcats postponed until a later date.
WG also had to push back a game last Tuesday against Cicero-North Syracuse and cancel its annual Wildcat Classic the following week. If all goes as planned, the Wildcats will return Jan. 4 against Fulton at Shove Park.
When Skaneateles welcomed New Hartford to Allyn Arena last Tuesday night, it had not played in nearly a week, and perhaps that had to do with how close it got as the Lakers held off the Spartans 2-1.
For the most part, the game stayed in New Hartford’s end during the first two periods. But the Skaneateles attack was far from sharp, only managing goals by Henry Major and Luke Renaud, each of them asisted by Garrett Krieger.
Derek Joy would finish with 26 saves and keep the Spartans within range going to the final period, where Caden Kramer scored to cut the Lakers’ lead in half.
Yet the unbeaten streak still reached 64 games, Skanetaeles able to turn back New Hartford’s late chances as, overall, goalie Chad Lowe stopped 20 of 21 shots.
Meanwhile, the Skaneateles girls ice hockey team was off to a 4-0 start when it welcomed Massena to Allyn Arena on Dec. 18 and, making it six wins in a row, beat the Red Raiders 5-2.
A fast start proved to be the difference as Sknaeateles jumped out to a 3-1 advantage, more or less maintaining that lead the rest of the way.
Rebecca Cain and Lizzy Sachar led the way, each scoring twice and benefiting from passes by Scout Oudemool, who finished with three assists.
Adriana Barbuto put in the Lakers’ other goal, with single assists going to Rachelle Cain, Katie Combs, and Alexis Fassinger.
Syracuse had a five-game unbeaten streak which it extended on Dec. 16 when it welcomed Section V’s Pittsford to Meachem Rink and beat the Panthers 4-2.
Following a 1-1 first-period deadlock, the Cougars never trailed again, keeping Pittsford off the board in the second period and then, down the stretch, able to answer when the Panthers tried to rally.
Through it all, Owen Mahar set the pace, scoring twice and gaining an assist. Nick Rayfield had one goal and one assist, while Brady Hubbard also converted. Liam Mahar and R.J. Kirkby earned one assist apiece.
Then COVID-19 issues affected the Cougars when it had to postpone last Tuesday’s game against Rome Free Academy and another game with Rochester McQuaid a night later. Syracuse would hope to resume early this week against CBA/Jamesville-DeWitt.
