The ice was almost ready and fans were filing in on a recent Tuesday night at Allyn Ice Rink, which is now the place to be in Skaneateles.

“I think the big part of how we play and perform is we all come together to play and make sure they get a good game to watch," said Jack Buff, a Skaneateles senior defenseman.

“Mr. Major needs to talk to him," Wyatt Pinkley said from the stands after a questionable call by the ref.

Lakers fans are invested.

“We play for the Skaneateles Lakers younger, and we want to play up here someday," Pinkley said.

“Most of these people at Skaneateles play hockey. They really enjoy it, so it’s fun to come watch these games and watch everyone’s support," Nathaniel Orsen said.

A lot of the guys on the ice were just like them.

"It’s amazing. I grew up watching these guys here, so I’m happy I can play and be a part of it," Carter Corbett, a Skaneateles sophomore defenseman, said.

“You’re the Lakers and kids come out to watch you. It’s cool to be a role model in that way," Buff said.

To be successful on game days, it starts at practice. Just like the banners at Allyn Ice Rink, the standard is set pretty high.

The Lakers have four state titles, and are riding an unbeaten streak of 62-0-4.

“The streak, it’s a big part of Skaneateles hockey, but it’s always good not to get too much in your head," Buff said.

Streak or no streak, it’s always been about this word on the back of their practice sweaters.

“We’ve been building a culture here for years, it’s been engrained in us since we’ve been Mites," Corbett said.

“Culture is the main thing here. Being a family is how we succeed," Buff said.

State titles are back on the line for the first time since 2019.

“It’s always cool to win a state championship for your hometown, and I think it would be cool to leave here knowing that we got the job done in the end," Buff said.

But they’re not just fighting for banners or hardware. It's more about winning for the kids and the community.

"I think that’s what motivates us to keep going. Not just winning for ourselves, but winning for them," Buff said.