Everything has to stay smooth for the Baldwinsville ice hockey team in order for the team’s home date with state no. 1-ranked West Genesee on Jan. 15 to have maximum value. On that path leading to the Wildcats, the Bees passed a tough examination Tuesday night, going to Auburn and beating the Maroons 2-1. Vastly improved from its last-place Division I finish of a season ago, Auburn carried a 6-4 record into the game and had the home-ice advantage, too. The two sides played through a scoreless first period. In the second period, things changed, as B’ville’s John Waldon earned one goal and assisted on Greg Tedd’s tally. Paul Schneid added an assist, too. Auburn countered with Matt Festa’s unassisted goal, but once again the Bees’ defense would pull through. In a tense third period, B’ville clung to the one-goal margin as the back line fell in front of pucks and Mark Miller finished with 18 saves.