When the Liverpool and Cicero-North Syracuse ice hockey teams first confronted each other Dec. 2 at State Fair Coliseum, the Northstars rode Brian Hamilton’s goal to a 4-1 victory over the Warriors. Eight short days later, a lot had changed.
The same two teams met again, this time at Cicero Twin Rinks, and this time it was Liverpool in full command, taking over early and rolling past CNS in a 5-0 shutout. Liverpool bolted to a 2-0 first-period lead, then scored three more times in the second period as it eventually put 44 shots on the Northstars’ net. Brad Capone led the way, with two goals and two assists. Matt McCaffrey and A.J. Lamacchia each had one goal and one assist, with Anthony Eno also scoring and Michael Bay getting an assist. Mike Sportelli had to make just 12 saves for the shutout. Both teams had lost on Tuesday — but at least the Warriors got close in last Tuesday’s visit to Baldwinsville, holding the Bees scoreless until the third period of a 3-0 loss to the Bees at Lysander Arena. Mike Sportelli had a superb showing in the first two periods, earning most of his 32 saves to keep the game 0-0. Only in the third period, when John Waldon assisted on two Paul Schneid goals and scored the other, did the Warriors crack. By contrast, None of Liverpool’s 29 shots got past B’ville goaltender Mark Miller. CNS, by contrast, never got close in a 10-0 defeat to West Genesee. Between them, Zach Hall and Sean Black made 52 saves, but the Wildcats still rolled as Zach Lewis got four goals and Nick Holzhauer three goals. Erich Haney had a goal and four assists. Liverpool takes its own shot at West Genesee Tuesday at the Coliseum before Potsdam visits on Friday. CNS is home Tuesday to face Baldwinsville.