Photo by Hal Henty

As the ice hockey Warriors entered this much anticipated season, getting quality wins within their league was a major goal. Sadly, the team has underachieved.

“We have had our moments this season but we could be doing a lot better. We have the talent to do so,” said goalie Mike Sportelli.

The Warriors have won two out of their last eight games, with losses to rivals West Genesee and Oswego. They were outscored nine goals to two in these two games.

Defense has proven to be the Achilles heel of the Warriors. The number of points against to points for is a staggering fifty-one to twenty-eight.

“I just feel like we could be doing a lot of more to help our goalie out,” said goalkeeper Joe Ciciarelli.

One thing that the Warriors have proven is that good defense does comes from a strong offense. Captain Brad Capone leads the team with six goals on the season. Forward Matt McCaffrey trails Capone with four goals.

“These two guys have really been helping out our offense,” said Sportelli.

Capone has responded to the anticipation that surrounded him at the beginning of the season. Not only does he lead the team in goals, he also leads the team in assists (7) and points (13).

“Capone is by far our best player. He plays every aspect of the game extremely well. His effort in the games is uncanny. He deserves to wear the captain’s jersey,” said Ciciarelli.

Despite the offense that the Warriors have been producing, they are still struggling. Surprisingly, the Warriors are struggling more at their own arena than on the road. The team has won only one out of six games at the Coliseum. Forward Justin Hambrecht attributes this poor play at home to quality opponents.

“A lot of amazing teams have come to play us at the Coliseum. They are jacked,” said Hambrecht.

Despite the team’s woeful season they have produced a few impressive wins. On December 22, the Warriors beat Fayetteville-Manlius by a score of 5-3. Five different players scored goals including Mike Amodie, Michael Bay, Brad Capone, Anthony Eno, and Matt McCaffery. The team also received quality goalkeeping from Ciciarelli. He stopped fourteen out of seventeen shots.

The Warriors also beat the Auburn Maroons, on January 8, by a score of 4-3.

“Sportelli played like a pro,” said Hambrecht.

If the Warriors have any hopes of playing in the Section III tournament, they need to maintain their focus despite poor play. Ready or not, they will play crucial league games against rivals West Genesse and Baldwinsville.

The team is looking to get some payback after a heartbreaking loss to the Baldwinsville Bees on December 8. The game was tied through two periods but a quick third period onslaught from the Bees sent the Warriors packing.

The Warriors will also attempt to get revenge on the Wildcats of West Genesse. The Wildcats are state-ranked and by far the best team in Section III. The Warriors lost to them 1-4 on December 15.

“I think we can turn this season around,” said Sportelli.