CENTRAL NEW YORK – All the headlines in area ice hockey early in 2022 centered around Skaneateles seeing its epochal 65-game unbeaten streak ended by Pelham in the Jan. 7 opening round of the Duke Schneider Memorial Tournament.
Less noted, but still impressive, was the eight straight wins put together by West Genesee since it lost its season opener to the Lakers in late November.
Atop the league standings and no. 2 in the state Division I rankings, the Wildcats would see that win stopped Thursday night in Rochester as unbeaten, state no. 6-ranked Victor prevailed by a score of 5-3.
Though it was able to score first, WG was caught and then overtaken by the Blue Devils when it converted twice early in the second period, only to have the Wildcats stage a rally of its own to pull back even, 3-3, by intermission.
But Simon Kowal’s power-play goal early in the third gave Victor the lead for good, and Charlie Romels tacked on an insurance goal as the Wildcats absorbed its second defeat of the season.
WG’s three goals came from three different players – Will Schneid, Ryan Considine and Jack Mellen. Schneid and Considine also had assists, joining Ryan Stratton, Jeremy Keyes and Ryan Kemp in that column as Dylan Desena, in goal, recorded 19 saves.
That same night at Allyn Arena, Skaneateles returned to action for the first time since the Schneider tournament, challenged by Cortland-Homer but relying on a mid-game surge to earn a 6-3 win over the Golden Eagles.
They were tied, 1-1, through one period, but in the second frame the Lakers put up three unanswered goals, giving itself enough of a cushion against Cortland-Homer’s late attempt to rally.
Just as important was the balance shown on offense. Only Mike Blowers scored twice, with Garrett Krieger earning the most points thanks to his goal and two assists.
Henry Major and Luke Renaud each got one goal and one assist. Andrew Gaglione also found the net as Aidan McGowan got two assists. Single assists also went to Jack Torrey, Jack Weeks, Carter Corbett and Curran McGowan.
Syracuse managed to maintain pace with the Division I leaders with a quick start in Thursday’s game against Fayetteville-Manlius on the way to beating the Hornets 5-1.
After its game against state-ranked Cazenovia on Jan. 7 was postponed, the Cougars were eager to get back on the ice, and proved it by racing to a 3-0 lead on F-M by the end of the opening period.
Cruising from there, Syracuse had Jameson Bucktooth score twice and get an assist, with Owen Mahar getting three assists. Vern Cooke and Nick Rayfield each had one goal and one assist, with Liam Mahar also finding the net and Colin Johnson contributing an assist.
