ONONDAGA COUNTY – All the game action the Baldwinsville ice hockey saw in the last three weeks of the regular season meant that it had richly earned the rest it would get before the Section III Division I playoffs started.
After a 1-0 defeat to Watertown IHC Jan. 29, the Bees found itself staring at another third-period deficit against New Hartford at the Three Rivers Athletic Complex three days later before yet another late comeback produced a 4-4 tie.
New Hartford used a trio of second-period goals to move out in front 4-2, but the Bees’ relentless pressure on Spartans goalie Xavier Obernesser (who finished with 44 saves) led to scoring twice in the final period to catch back up
Rocco Weaver led the comeback, finishing with two goals and one assist. Alessio McGrane had a goal and assist, with Dan Hinman earning the other goal and Dom Derito contributing an assist. Chase Brooks, getting another turn in goal, recorded 23 saves.
The Bees then went to Meachem Rink last Tuesday to face Syracuse, an underrated rivalry full of tough and physical games in seasons past.
It proved again close and low-scoring and would eventually drag all the way to overtime as the Cougars got the best of it, prevailing 3-2.
B’ville led 1-0 through a period, only to have Syracuse catch up in the second. Then there was an exchange of third-period goals before the Cougars were able to net the OT game-winner.
Will Scanlon carried Syracuse with a goal and assisting on both of Nick Rayfield’s tallies to overcome 30 saves by Zach Bice, which equaled the total on the other end by Conor Rose.
McGrane continued his goal-scoring streak, with Joe Toland also finding the net. Weaver, Dom Purtell and Rylan MacCollum had one assist apiece.
B’ville takes on CNY Fusion Monday night in its last game action prior to the start of the sectional tournament.
