Caz hockey cools off in loss to Ontario Bay

By PHil BlACkwEll

Undefeated in five consecutive games heading into February, the Cazenovia ice hockey team was making a case as an under-the-radar contender for the upcoming Section III Division I playoffs.

Yet the Lakers managed to stumble in last Wednesday’s game against Ontario Bay at SUNY Morrisville IcePlex, where its potent offense was well-contained during a 4-1 defeat to the Storm.

This was the same Ontario Bay side Cazenovia outscored 7-5 in the opening round of Cortland-Homer’s holiday tournament on Dec. 28, but here all the Lakers could manage was Logan Hull’s first-period goal, assisted by Jack Donlin and Jack Casey.

Zach Blevins converted twice and added an assist to help the Storm lead 3-1 through one period, and the Lakers were unable to answer.

Ontario Bay goalie Colin Ben - nett stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced. Tucker Ives had 24 saves and blanked the Storm in the second period, but gave up another goal in the third as Julian Watts and Eric Mashaw joined Blevins in the goalscoring column.

Two nights later, a game with Cicero-North Syracuse at the Twin Rinks was postponed, but Cazenovia would play on Saturday against Mohawk Valley and claim a 2-1 victory over the Jugglers. They traded first-period goals,

Hull again finding the net as Donlin and Tyson Frederiks earned assists, leading to a second period where Donlin pounced on a rebound and put in the go-ahead tally.

Puck control mattered as Cazenovia ultimately took 38 shots, more than twice Mohawk Valley’s total. Ezra Stahlberg continued a fine freshman season, earning 17 saves. Now at 9-7-1 overall, Cazenovia hosts Rome Free Academy this Friday at 7:30 at the IcePlex.