On Wednesday, La Salle defeated Shenendehowa 3-2, thanks to a hat trick by senior Logan DiScanio. On Saturday, the Cadets defeated BHBS, again thanks to a hat trick by senior Logan DiScanio.
La Salle’s 5-4 win moves them to 5-0-0 in the league (5-0-2 overall), with 8 points. It’s the first loss in the league for BHBS, who are in second place at 3-1-0 league (4-2-0 overall), with 5 points.
The Cadets struck first after a defensive breakdown left DiScanio with room in the slot, and he flicked a backhander home to make it 1-0. La Salle dominated the first period, outshooting BHBS 17-8. But yet, Miles Grabb found room while the Cadets were changing, and made a beautiful pass to junior defenseman Sam Swingruber, who finished it off to tie it 1-1. That was the score after 1.
The Spartans looked a lot better in the second period, and Geordan Buffoline found room and slipped a shot home to give BHBS a 2-1 lead less than 2 minutes into the frame. And La Salle had an answer again. Actually, they had 2. DiScanio scored twice in the next 4 minutes to give the Cadets a 3-2 lead. The game was pretty evenly played in the second period, but La Salle got another one thanks to Sam Mulson, making it 4-2. However, BHBS is known for their resiliency, and Saturday was no different. Buffoline scored again to cut the lead to 4-3 at the end of the second.
The third period was controlled by BHBS, but La Salle got another bounce a little over 5 minutes into the period and Mulson scored again to make it 5-3. Just a minute later, Alec Lind carried the puck into the zone and made a nice pass to senior defenseman Henry Koch, who put it home past La Salle goaltender Casey Boone to cut the lead to 5-4. It was the first career high school goal for the former Berkshire skater, who was ineligible to play last year because he transferred to Ballston Spa while the season was already in full swing. The last 8 minutes were action-packed. Both teams had great chances, but both goalies were stout. The Spartans controlled most of the chances, but couldn’t get anything to go. With 2 minutes left, DiScanio took an interference penalty to give BHBS a power play. They pulled the goalie as well, giving them a 6-on-4 advantage. Nothing they threw at the net was able to get past Boone, and La Salle held on for the win.
It’s a big win for the Cadets, who remain unbeaten in league play, and might make them the favorite for the #1 seed. For BHBS, it’s a tough loss, but in a tight game like that against another top team, it’s nothing to be seriously concerned about. La Salle will face off next against CBA at home on Wednesday, and the Spartans’ next game is also against CBA, on the road Friday.
GOALS
1ST PERIOD:
LSI (11:25): Logan DiScanio (9) ASST: Kevin Mainello (8)
BHBS (2:50): Sam Swingruber (2) ASST: Miles Grabb (1)
2ND PERIOD:
BHBS (13:14): Geordan Buffoline (3) ASST: Connor Cecala (1), Sam Swingruber (4)
LSI (12:45): Logan DiScanio (10) ASST: Ryan Murray (1)
LSI (8:47): Logan DiScanio (11) ASST: None
LSI (6:04): Sam Mulson (5) ASST: Jack O’Bryan (2), Tom Ryan (6)
BHBS (5:35): Geordan Buffoline (4) ASST: None
3RD PERIOD:
LSI (9:36): Sam Mulson (6) ASST: Taylor Nitz (2), Tom Ryan (7)
BHBS (8:04): Henry Koch (1) ASST: Alec Lind (3)
SAVES:
LSI: Casey Boone 26-30 (.867 %)
BHBS: Trevin Tidmarsh 38-43 (.883 %)
