The Auburn Maroons went winless at their season-opening tournament. Bad sign? Coach Mike Lowe doesn't think so.
The Citizen file photo
Senior Matt Chadderdon, left, will be one of the Maroons' top scoring threats on a team that returns 17 players from a year ago.
Senior Matt Chadderdon, left, will be one of the Maroons' top scoring threats on a team that returns 17 players from a year ago.
“We play a tough non-league schedule to prepare for a tough league schedule,” Lowe said. “This way we're battle-tested when league play starts.”
Tough could be an understatement the way his team's schedule stacks up. Some of the best squads in the state await the Maroons - including Potsdam, Canton and McQuaid (Rochester) in the upcoming week - before they begin a difficult league lineup that includes Ithaca, Liverpool, Oswego and Baldwinsville, all of whom are perennial state title contenders.
The beauty of Lowe's system is that the non-league games don't affect his playoff chances - the teams with the four best league records will go to the postseason.
He has good reason to think his team will get there this year, too.
“For us to advance, it's going to be a team effort,” Lowe said. “We have a lot of kids that can play at this level and we'll roll out a lot of lines.”
That's what you'd expect with 17 returning players.
The bulk of the experience will be patrolling the blue line. Though the Maroons will miss Chris Daly - a captain from last year - they have four returning impact defensemen from a year ago: Chris Clifford, J.T. Foltz,Chris Murdoch and B.J. Simmons, who has yet to hit the ice in a game since winning a state title in football.
Also among the returners is forward Matt Chadderdon, who was the Maroons' top goal scorer and scored three times over the weekend.
Also a threat will be Kevin Festa, who already has four points in the first two games (one goal, three assists).
The main question mark lurks between the pipes, though. Lowe rotated two senior goalies last season, but his two netminders this season are less experienced. Sophomore Tommy Trowell has played in the first two games for the Maroons and stopped 49 of 56 shots.
“Tommy has improved tremendously from last year,” Lowe said. “He's stronger and faster.”
He will likely be joined by Eric Miller, a senior who is also on the football team and therefore hasn't suited up yet this season. Lowe expects the two to compete for the No. 1 spot.
Despite losing twice this season, the Maroons have yet to be out of a game.
In the season opener, Auburn fell to Albany CBA, 4-3. Chadderdon, Foltz and Brian Anderson scored, and Festa and Reggie Townsend each added an assist. Trowell made 21 saves.
In their second game, Chadderdon scored twice in a 5-4 loss to Shenendehowa, which scored the winning goal with just 33 seconds left in the game. Festa had a goal and two assists, and Townsend scored the other goal. Andrew Chadderdon assisted as well.
The key in that game was a four-goal second period the Maroons allowed.
“We have to play a disciplined style of hockey,” Lowe said.
“With the teams in our league, all it takes is a couple mistakes and the other teams are going to capitalize on you. We need to play 45 minutes of good hockey.”
The Maroons travel for games against Potsdam, Canton, Ithaca, and McQuaid before hosting Oswego Dec. 12 at Casey Park.
Skaneateles Lakers
Last season: 15-10-1; 11-3-0 league
Coach: Mitch Major (seven years)
Top returners: Senior Nick Augustine (D), junior Matt Wood (D), senior Will Kraus (F)
Top newcomers: sophomore Keith Buehler (F), sophomore Kyle Christine (D)
Outlook: The Lakers lost 13 players from last year's playoff squad, so Skaneateles has a young team. But if the rookies can learn the new system and step up, the Lakers should be able to contend for a playoff spot.
So far: Skaneateles two games during opening weekend, going 1-1 in Williamsville.
On Friday, Skaneateles fell to Williamsville North, 5-1. The Lakers were trailing 5-0 in the third period until Keith Buehler found the back of the net on an assist from Matt Wood.
Freshman goalie Alex Richini made 27 saves.
In Saturdays' game, the Lakers topped Williamsville South, 4-2. Sophomore Patrick Emmer netted a hat trick, and Buehler and Adam Severance each added two assists.
Sean Morley scored the other goal, and Wood, Kyle Christine, Sean Cooney and Erik Stevens each had assists.
Richini stopped 13 shots.
The Lakers (1-1) scrimmage Ithaca at home Wednesday at 7 p.m., before heading to the Wildcat Classic in Camillus this weekend.
Tough could be an understatement the way his team's schedule stacks up. Some of the best squads in the state await the Maroons - including Potsdam, Canton and McQuaid (Rochester) in the upcoming week - before they begin a difficult league lineup that includes Ithaca, Liverpool, Oswego and Baldwinsville, all of whom are perennial state title contenders.
The beauty of Lowe's system is that the non-league games don't affect his playoff chances - the teams with the four best league records will go to the postseason.
He has good reason to think his team will get there this year, too.
“For us to advance, it's going to be a team effort,” Lowe said. “We have a lot of kids that can play at this level and we'll roll out a lot of lines.”
That's what you'd expect with 17 returning players.
The bulk of the experience will be patrolling the blue line. Though the Maroons will miss Chris Daly - a captain from last year - they have four returning impact defensemen from a year ago: Chris Clifford, J.T. Foltz,Chris Murdoch and B.J. Simmons, who has yet to hit the ice in a game since winning a state title in football.
Also among the returners is forward Matt Chadderdon, who was the Maroons' top goal scorer and scored three times over the weekend.
Also a threat will be Kevin Festa, who already has four points in the first two games (one goal, three assists).
The main question mark lurks between the pipes, though. Lowe rotated two senior goalies last season, but his two netminders this season are less experienced. Sophomore Tommy Trowell has played in the first two games for the Maroons and stopped 49 of 56 shots.
“Tommy has improved tremendously from last year,” Lowe said. “He's stronger and faster.”
He will likely be joined by Eric Miller, a senior who is also on the football team and therefore hasn't suited up yet this season. Lowe expects the two to compete for the No. 1 spot.
Despite losing twice this season, the Maroons have yet to be out of a game.
In the season opener, Auburn fell to Albany CBA, 4-3. Chadderdon, Foltz and Brian Anderson scored, and Festa and Reggie Townsend each added an assist. Trowell made 21 saves.
In their second game, Chadderdon scored twice in a 5-4 loss to Shenendehowa, which scored the winning goal with just 33 seconds left in the game. Festa had a goal and two assists, and Townsend scored the other goal. Andrew Chadderdon assisted as well.
The key in that game was a four-goal second period the Maroons allowed.
“We have to play a disciplined style of hockey,” Lowe said.
“With the teams in our league, all it takes is a couple mistakes and the other teams are going to capitalize on you. We need to play 45 minutes of good hockey.”
The Maroons travel for games against Potsdam, Canton, Ithaca, and McQuaid before hosting Oswego Dec. 12 at Casey Park.
Skaneateles Lakers
Last season: 15-10-1; 11-3-0 league
Coach: Mitch Major (seven years)
Top returners: Senior Nick Augustine (D), junior Matt Wood (D), senior Will Kraus (F)
Top newcomers: sophomore Keith Buehler (F), sophomore Kyle Christine (D)
Outlook: The Lakers lost 13 players from last year's playoff squad, so Skaneateles has a young team. But if the rookies can learn the new system and step up, the Lakers should be able to contend for a playoff spot.
So far: Skaneateles two games during opening weekend, going 1-1 in Williamsville.
On Friday, Skaneateles fell to Williamsville North, 5-1. The Lakers were trailing 5-0 in the third period until Keith Buehler found the back of the net on an assist from Matt Wood.
Freshman goalie Alex Richini made 27 saves.
In Saturdays' game, the Lakers topped Williamsville South, 4-2. Sophomore Patrick Emmer netted a hat trick, and Buehler and Adam Severance each added two assists.
Sean Morley scored the other goal, and Wood, Kyle Christine, Sean Cooney and Erik Stevens each had assists.
Richini stopped 13 shots.
The Lakers (1-1) scrimmage Ithaca at home Wednesday at 7 p.m., before heading to the Wildcat Classic in Camillus this weekend.
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