Careening in completely opposite directions, the Liverpool and Cicero-North Syracuse ice hockey team entered 2014 in vastly different moods. For the Warriors, the feeling was a good one, made even more so by what it done before and after Christmas. On Dec. 23, Liverpool had shut out Auburn 3-0, but that was just the start of things. Four days later, the Warriors went to Crisafulli Rink (better known as “The Fort”) to face Oswego, and again was in top form, dominating in the latter stages to beat the Buccaneers 5-2. Both sides were productive in the first period, as goals by Jake Oleyourryk and Bentley Brosch helped Oswego forge a 2-2 tie. Liverpool would prove deeper, though, as it edged out in front during the second period and scored twice more in the final period, just to be sure. Kody Gaulke, with two goals, led a deep, well-balanced Warrior attack. Dalton Horton had one goal and one assist, while Richie Hart and Rocco Leone also managed goals. Bobby Welch got two assists as Tom Bianchi and Donny Husted earned single assists. As that went on, Liverpool’s defense was sensational, keeping the Bucs off the board throughout the second and third periods as Steven Kozikoski shut the door, finishing with 19 saves. Oswego counterpart Donovan Roy had 23 saves. C-NS, meanwhile, struggled again in a 3-0 defeat to the Syracuse Cougars at Meachem Rink. The Northstars were under constant attack in this game as Syracuse peppered Brandon Gloska, who would have to make 48 saves to keep this game close. Still, the Cougars got all of its goals in the first two periods, with Collin Thompson finding the net twice. Pat Farrell also had a goal as Mark Purcell and Nick Matro each had two assists. Mitch Laffin also had an assist as Sam Walsh stopped all 24 C-NS shots he faced. Back home for its own Optimist Tournament, the Northstars were unable to play Ithaca until Saturday due to bad weather. When it did happen, though, the Little Red would take control and keep it, beating C-NS 6-1. Led by Nate Walker, who posted a three-goal hat trick and added an assist, Ithaca roared out to a 6-0 lead by the end of the second period. The Northstars were able to prevent the shutout, though, as Ben Cummings scored in the third period off a feed from Matt Siegel. Liverpool, who saw last Thursday’s game with Watertown IHC on Thursday at Greater Baldwinsville Ice Arena snowed out, returns to action Tuesday, against Fayetteville-Manlius, and then takes its shot at state no. 1-ranked West Genesee Friday night at Shove Park in Camillus. C-NS hosts IHC on Monday night at the Twin Rinks and faces F-M Friday at Onondaga Nation Arena.