The Syracuse Stampede handed the Lockport Express their fifteenth consecutive loss with a 6-2 victory Saturday evening. The win solidifies the Stampede's hold on third place in the Northeast Division. They sit 5 points ahead of Roc City, and trail Jersey Shore by 9.
Syracuse opened the scoring early in the game during a 5-minute powerplay. Nate Walker drove one home, assisted by Matt Allen and Rich Hart. Lockport remained on the penalty kill while Josh Evoy served the major for head contact. Lockport was able to hold off Syracuse throughout the rest of the penalty time. The Stampede added a second goal at 15:53, by Nick Sanborn, to carry a 2-0 lead into the second period.
Momentum carried over into the second for Syracuse as they were able to shut out the Express during the frame, while adding three more goals to their scoresheet. Josh Wallace, Oscar Lande, and Matt Allen each notched a goal to give Syracuse a 5-0 lead through 40 minutes of play.
The third period was much more in the favor of Lockport. The team was more engaged and had more zip in their step. It showed on the scoreboard for the period. Syracuse did tally the first marker of the period on a power play goal by Nick Sanborn at 7:15. Lockport saw renewed spirit two minutes later when Luca Mazzo buried one for the Express, assisted by Andrew Logar and Pavel Kovtunov. Brandon Schweickert netted Lockport’s second goal at 17:57, assisted by Mitchell Thornton and Frankie Bodami.
“I thought we played really well in the third period. We had some good pressure in their zone,” said head coach, Frank Vecchio.