By: Dan Kekis, Syracuse M.S Public Relations
SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. – The St. Lawrence Steel scored three goals in each the first and second periods and downed the Bethlehem Eagles 6-1 to grab the Empire State Winter Games boys hockey gold medal, played Sunday, Feb.2, in Saranac Lake.
The Steel scored their opening-period goals in a span of 2 minutes, 31 seconds. Grady Boyer put the team on the board first, with 2:31 remaining before the intermission. He was followed by Andrew Nezezon, who scored just 12 seconds later. Olin Smith tallied his first of two goals in the championship game when he found the back of the net with just 49-seconds remaining in the frame.
The Eagles did go into the first intermission, two goals down. Brody Fleming put the team on the board, with 3:49 left, making it 3-1.
In the second period, Boyer, Smith and Ryan Ward all scored for the Steel. Boyer scored with 6:34 left in the period, while Smith added his second goal with 5:53 remaining. Ward’s goal came with 3:39 left.
Steel goalie AJ Saber stopped 11 of 12 shots to get the win, while Theodore Curran turned away 30 of the 36 shots he faced.
This was the second time the two teams squared off in the Empire State Winter Games boys hockey tournament. Saturday, the Steel blanked the Eagles 7-0.
The Steel entered the championship match up with a perfect 3-0 record, outscoring their opponents 23-2.