SLP’s Ryan Bartholomew, left, battles for the puck with Saranac Central’s Landon Giroux during Wednesday’s game at the Olympic Center’s 1932 Rink.
(Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)
LAKE PLACID — The Saranac Lake Placid boys hockey team suffered a 5-1 loss to the Saranac Central Spartans in a league contest on Wednesday at the Olympic Center’s 1932 Rink.
Landen Duprey and Brody Macomber netted two goals each as the Spartans improved to 7-6-1 overall. Adrian Barnes also scored, while Gabe Moore had two assists. Duprey, Barnes, Declan Baker, Evan Patrie and Jonathon Roy also collected assists in the win.
While SLP head coach Josh Spanburgh acknowledged that the result wasn’t ideal, he was happy with the effort and progress the team has made in recent weeks.
“We feel like we kind of outplayed them a lot of that game,” he said. “They are another good team, but we outplayed we’re almost where we want to be with our D-zone stuff, but we’re really proud. Our shots were up to 24 which was really nice. We knew we needed to shoot more.”
Kellan Duffy scored for SLP, who have lost seven straight games, dropping to an overall record of 3-9. Forwards Carson St. Louis and Carver Bell recorded assists on the goal.
SLP’s Kellan Duffy looks to make a play during Wednesday’s game against Saranac Central at the Olympic Center’s 1932 Rink in Lake Placid.
(Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)
Despite being outshot 41-24, SLP had some opportunities to score, predominantly from its first line of freshman trio of Bell, St. Louis and Ayden McCormick.
“They busted their tails today,” Spanburgh said. “They worked very hard, they’re pushing. I think everyone is, but they are just leading the way. For not having a lot of size, they have a lot of grit and are pretty strong in skills. We’re happy with what they are doing.”
SLP’s goalie Scottie Nicholas, a sophomore, had 36 saves, while the Spartans’ Shawn McLane recorded 23 stops in net.
Saranac Central’s Macomber opened the scoring at 10:09 into the first period on a pass from Gabe Moore. SLP had a couple of chances to tie it shortly after but was unable to convert.
In the middle period, the Spartans picked apart SLP’s defense on back-to-back goals from Duprey to extend their lead to 3-0. Spanburgh said the SLP coaching staff has been trying to implement a new defensive system where the players aren’t watching the puck.
Saranac Central’s Nolan Miner takes a shot on net that was turned away by SLP’s goalie Scottie Nicholas during Wednesday’s game in Lake Placid.
(Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)
“We’re taking our man first and then we are dealing with where the puck is,” he said. “If we can get everyone to continue to work on that — and I think we’re getting better and better — we’ll start having some success soon.”
SLP buried its lone goal at 10:41 in the second when Duffy, a senior captain, grabbed a rebound and netted his second goal of the season.
The Spartans closed out the contest with back-to-back goals from Barnes — on a pass from Duprey — followed by a powerplay goal from Macomber at 14:29.
Following Wednesday’s game, SLP will look to rebound during the Lake Placid Winter Carnival Tournament this weekend. SLP will kick off the tournament at 5:30 p.m. today against the Northeastern Clinton Cougars. The Franklin Academy (Malone) Huskies and the Aquinas Institute Little Irish will play in the other match at 8 p.m. on Friday.
The following day, the two winning teams will play in the championship contest at 2 p.m. There will also be a consolation match between the other two squads at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday. All tournament games will be played at the 1932 Rink in Lake Placid.
SLP’s Evan Harvey looks to make a play during Wednesday’s game in Lake Placid.
(Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)
SLP’s Owen Lawrence looks to make a play during Wednesday’s game in Lake Placid.
(Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)
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