ROME – As it charges into the regular-season homestretch, the Baldwinsville ice hockey team is riding a 14-game unbeaten streak.
More importantly, the state no. 7-ranked Bees still has a chance to ascend to the top of the Division I standings, if it can first-place Syracuse next Tuesday night in Lysander.
The Cougars took over the league lead in a dramatic 6-5 victory over West Genesee at Meachem Rink, not decided until goalie Connor Rose stopped Jeremy Keyes on a penalty shot with 1.2 seconds left.
Now Syracuse would take its shot at a B’ville side, in the course of going two months without a defeat, has managed to shut out six different opponents.
The sixth shutout was recorded Wednesday at Kennedy Arena, where the Bees were able to keep Mohawk Valley off the scoreboard in a 6-0 victory.
B’ville’s defense clamped down all night, limiting the Raiders to 15 shots, all stopped by Jon Schirmer, which allowed the offense to stay patient as it took 36 shots overall.
Up 1-0, the Bees broke it open with a trio of third-period goals, with Matt Carner at the forefront as he finished with a three-goal hat trick and added an assist.
Sam Ciappa had one goal and one assist, with Keegan Lynch and Harrison Bragg also getting goals. Brayden Penafeather-Stevenson got two assists and Matt Fawwaz also had an assist.
Winter weather forced a postponement of Friday’s game at Whitesboro. B’ville is also set to visit Ithaca next Saturday before a Feb. 15 game against reigning state Division II champion Skaneateles.
