The Syracuse Stars had a big road weekend as they traveled to LI and swept 2 games from Apple Core this past weekend. The Stars offense really got untracked as they put up 17 goals combined in the 2 games. Last weekend the Stars lost to Apple Core by a 3-2 count in Haverhill and only managed 8 goals in the 3 games at the Valley Showcase. The Stars put 9 on the board in Saturday’s 9-3 win and followed that up with 8 goals in the Sunday tilt.
In Game 1 the Stars PP got clicking as they had 4 PP goals in the first 2 periods to erase an early 1-0 deficit. The Stars put up 3 goals in each period as they played a consistent 60 minutes. In Game 1 Ryan Farnan and league goal scoring leader Rob Morton had 2 goals each. John Hero, Joe Wilson, Mike Montagna, Matt Wilson and defenseman Eric Bonawitz added single tallies. Chris Cannizzaro continued his hot streak with 4 assists. John Hero added 3 assists to his goal. Josh LaRose also had 3 helpers. Bonawitz added 2 assists from the back line. Matt Wilson, Joe Wilson, Adam Graff, Montagna, Ken Nosky and Morton had single assists. The Stars scored a bunch of pretty goals in this one along with getting a little dirty in front of the net in scoring some rebound goals. Joe Dawson was solid in the pipes as he had 18 saves for the win.
In game 2 on Saturday the Stars jumped out to a 6-0 lead midway through the 2nd period and on the way to the road sweep. Apple Core made it interesting as they got it to 7-4 but a Matt Wilson goal just 40 seconds after the Apple Core 4th goal on a nice cycle play from Montagna and Joe Wilson sealed the deal. In Sunday’s game Joe Cosimo got the Stars going with 2 early goals as he took a great feed from Adam Graff on a 2-1 to put the Stars up early. Dillon Black made a nice neutral zone play to start the rush. Cosimo got his second as he camped out in front and took a feed from Rob Morton and jammed it in the empty net to put the Stars up 2. Ryan Farnan got a nice set up from linemates John Hero and Josh LaRose to put the Stars up 3-0 after 1. LaRose got a nice feed from Hero right out front to put the Stars up 4. Farnan also had a helper as the line stayed hot. Chris Cannizzaro scored on a nice set up on a great fore check by Matt Wilson and Montagna to put the Stars up 5. Hero took a nice feed from Farnan for the 6th Stars goal and his 7th (2G, 5A) point of the weekend, Black also had a helper on the play. Adam Graff scored on a beautiful feed from Cannizzaro early in the 3rd for the Stars for the Stars 7th goal. Farnan added an assist for a playmaker. From here Apple Core made it interesting as the y scored 3 quick goals but Matt Wilson’s goal stemmed the tide. Anthony Cadieux got the win in the nets for the Stars and he made some big saves, especially early in the game to frustrate the Apple Core shooters and allow Syracuse to jump out to the lead with early momentum. Cadieux finished with 38 saves.
The Stars are in first place on percentage in the very tough North Division of the EJHL and know that each game is huge as they have played 3 more games then the Bruins and 2 more then the Monarchs. The Stars head home for 2 games this weekend vs. the South Shore kings before getting their first weekend off of the season over Thanksgiving.
