With the defensive part of its game in sound shape, the West Genesee ice hockey team turned to the other side of the ice – with sheer volume. The Wildcats disposed of Liverpool 12-1 last Tuesday night at State Fair Coliseum, and its offense got better as the night went on. Already ahead 3-0 after one period, WG tacked on four more goals in the second period and five in the third period, reaching double digits on the board while taking an astonishing 89 shots. Amid it all, Nick Holzhauer and John Sabert both had three-goal hat tricks. Josh Duquette had two goals and one assist. Shawn Lynch managed a goal and three assists as Matt Skrupa, Jason Keyes and Erik Kurz also converted. Rob Michel had three assists as R.J. Tinklepaugh, Jimmy Sauda, Ryan LaVallee, Nate Colabufo, Tommy Hanley and Travis Wager earned single assists. Back home at Shove Park Friday, WG met Rome Free Academy, an important game since the Black Knights were situated right behind the Wildcats in the Division I standings. It proved quite tough, though, as WG had to battle just to earn a 3-3 tie. RFA, behind two goals from T.J. Reilley, moved into a 3-2 lead through two periods and were getting a fine effort in goal from Anthony D’urso, who had 26 saves. Yet the Wildcats, who saw Lynch and Holzhauer get the early tallies, pulled even as John Sabert notched the tying goal with just 2:39 left in regulation. That would hold through overtime as Michel, LaVallee and Matt Schattner joined Lynch in the assist column. Solvay played Hamilton to a 2-2 tie last Tuesday at Colgate’s Starr Rink. David Graf assisted on goals by Mike Sniffen and Tyler O’Mara in the first two periods, with the Emerald Knights countering on goals by Alex Brink and Alex Foster. All through the third period and overtime, the Bearcats had chances to move ahead, only to get denied as Hamilton goalie Brady Carroll had 26 saves. Solvay netminder Ryan Bonk was even busier, but stopped 38 of the 40 shots he faced. Then the Bearcats took its shot at Liverpool Friday, and while it was closer, Solvay still used a late surge to bury the Warriors 5-2. With a 2-1 advantage, Solvay finally got some cushion in the third period by scoring three times. Forrest Gilbert, who scored twice, and Sniffen, with a goal and two assists, were at the forefront of the attack as Zach Sweet and Peter Lynch also converted. Alex Tripp, Josh Wilton and Kyle McVey got assists as Bonk recorded 22 saves. At 5-4-2 on the season, Solvay takes its turn against RFA Tuesday, just as West Genesee (8-2-2, 5-0-1 league) meets Cortland-Homer. Then it’s the Bearcats’ turn against the Golden Eagles on Friday as WG has what could amount to a first-place showdown with Corcoran at Shove Park.