CAPITAL DISTRICT — No. 7 LaSalle scored three times in the first period and pulled away for a 5-2 victory over No. 2 Bethlehem in the Section 2 Division 1 hockey playoffs Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Bethlehem Area YMCA.
Bethlehem (14-7-0) got within a goal twice of LaSalle, but the Cadets (7-14-1) added a pair of goals in the third period to pull off the upset and set up a semifinal match-up against No. 6 Tri-Falls, which upended No. 3 Shenendehowa 5-1 in another quarterfinal contest.
Sam Mulson struck for two goals, and goaltender Zach Hurst stopped 31 shots for LaSalle. Logan DiScanio, Ben Leinweber and Chris Ryan also tallied for the Cadets.
Brian Harder and Andrew Yanowsky scored Bethlehem’s goals, and goaltender Alex Breiner made 17 saves.
Elsewhere, No. 4 Burnt Hills/Ballston Spa extended its winning streak to 10 games by beating No. 5 Christian Brothers Academy 5-3 at the Schenectady County Recreation Facility in Glenville.
BH/BS (16-4-1) jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first period, and then fended off a third period rally by CBA (10-11-0) to earn a semifinal berth against No. 1 Saratoga Springs, which handled No. 8 Niskayuna/Schenectady 5-1 in its quarterfinal victory.
Santino Benamati and Geordan Buffoline each tallied twice for BH/BS. Goaltender Mark Stocker had 33 saves.
Peter Galica, Owen Greene and Ryan Munro scored goals for the Brothers, and goaltender Justin Bryar stopped 23 shots.
