UTICA - Time is never wasted. Not when the Skaneateles hockey team takes the ice.

The Lakers scored two goals in a five-minute span in the first period, setting the tone for the Section III, Division II title game.

Skaneateles had too much speed and too many scorers for Whitesboro to handle, in a 5-2 victory at Utica Memorial Auditorium on Saturday. The sectional title is the fourth in Skaneateles hockey history, their second in Division II, and the first, in any division, since 1983.

The Lakers open up play in the State Regional Tournament on Saturday at Allyn Arena in Skaneateles. The Lakers play the winner of today's game between Glens Falls and Queensbury. The contest is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start.

The championship matchup between the second- and third-seeded teams in the state was a back-and-forth affair early. The Lakers fell behind early, 1-0 just two minutes into the game, but Kaj Beck-Anderson answered with Skaneateles' first goal of the game with assist coming from the Division II West Player of the Year, Keith Buehler. Exactly one minute later, Buehler set up another goal for Sean Morley, putting the Lakers up 2-1.

“We had been down one (goal) every playoff game this year.” Lakers coach Mitch Major said. “We just fought back. These kids play for the love of the game and it shows with the way they are out there.”

The Warriors would battle back to tie the score 2-2 in the second period on a goal by Dustin Farley and assists by Logaan Schaaf and George Hajjar, but sure enough, the Lakers would respond quickly.

Tory Cole provided the final go-ahead goal for the Lakers with an assist from captain Matt Wood. Skaneateles wouldn't trail again.

“I saw Tory and knew how well he was playing today.” Wood said. “So I passed him the puck and just started to pray for him to finish it off.”

Cole would score the fourth goal for the Lakers with another assist by Buehler just five minutes into the third period. Buehler put the final icing on the championship cake with an open-netter at the end of regulation. Erik Stevens had the assist.

Alex Richichi, who allowed just 1.42 goals per game during the season, had a tremendous game against a battle-tested Whitesboro squad. Richichi had 17 saves and allowed just the two goals.

“It's such a confidence boost for me.” Richichi said. “(My teammates) look at me and I look at them, it's like a support system. If I let in three goals I know they will get me four or more goals.

“I try not to think about my opponents. I just work with my system and know I have a great defense around me.”

The Division II crown has been in the sights of the Skaneateles hockey team for much of the season and making it a reality was surreal for not only the players.

“It feels great, especially for the kids.” Major said. “They worked so hard for it and it just shows how hard work has its rewards.”

But the Lakers aren't ready to clean out the lockers. They have a full week to prepare for states and they plan on making an impact.

“We will practice hard this week, eat well and get a well-deserved rest.” Buehler said.

The Lakers believe they have an advantage in any game they play because they are a senior-laden bunch, with eight in all.

“I feel so very close to this senior class.” Richichi said. “I saw last year's class go out crying in the locker room and I vowed coming into this year I would play for this senior class. I'm very close to them and it's special for me to be doing what I'm doing for them.”

Skaneateles, which will likely take over the No. 2 spot in the state rankings from Whitesboro, has already made history.

The Lakers would like to play a few more games, but still, many of the players allowed themselves to soak in their accomplishments on Saturday.

“It feels great to have accomplished what we did today.” Cole said. “It's nice to know we will go down in history because we won sectionals.”