Kenmore East goalie Trevor Taggert stops the puck that had been cleared into the zone during the Bulldogs 12-1 win over St. Mary’s Saturday at the Northtown Center. Taggert made 14 saves to pick up the win. Photo by John RusacPurchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com The Kenmore East Bulldogs put together a pair of dominant performances in picking up two victories during the past week.

The Bulldogs were never threatened in rolling to blowout victories over St. Mary’s and West Seneca East on Saturday and Monday respectively. The two victories improved the Bulldogs to 12-2-1 overall and 8-1-1 in the Federation Small School league.

Kenmore East has now won three league games in a row since a 5-3 loss to West Seneca West on Jan. 9. Everything appears to be clicking right now for head coach Kyle Pray and his Bulldogs.

“It is (clicking) right now,” Pray said. “We’re excited right now.”

The Bulldogs have been sparked ever since they moved sophomore Taylor Davis from defense to forward. Davis has been paired on a line with junior Andy Robinson and senior Nick Pagliacci. The trio have exploded together.

“They’ve been clicking and they’re really on fire right now,” Pray said.

The line combined for 12 points in Kenmore East’s 12-1 victory over St. Mary’s on Saturday afternoon at the Northtown Center. Pagliacci led the way with five points as he netted a hat trick and two assists. Robinson had two goals and two assists, while Davis had three assists.

Not to be outdone was the line of Dan Giliforte, Don Battista and Rob Burket as they combined for nine points. Giliforte had two goals and an assist.

The Bulldogs continued their dominance on Monday with a 12-0 rout of West Seneca East at West Seneca Rink. Robinson posted his second-straight four-point game with a hat trick and an assist. Giliforte also had a four-point night with two goals and two assists. Pagliacci added two goals and an assist and Battista found the back of the net twice.

While Kenmore East’s deep and balanced scoring attack is rolling, the Bulldogs have also been helped by the play of their defense and goaltending. The defense was hit hard by injuries earlier in the season and is now starting to see guys return to the lineup, though David Hopfer is still out with a shoulder injury.

“The defense is getting healthy; we’re starting to solidify that,” Pray said. “We’re hoping by the playoffs we’ll be completely healthy.”

The Bulldogs have also seen better play from their goaltending as all three netminders on the roster - Derrick Ford, Michael Davern and Trevor Taggart - have seen playing time. Pray now has the difficult task of deciding which one to use in the postseason.

“Goaltending’s been a big thing,” Pray said. “We’ve been using all three. They’re all battling it out for the playoffs. We’ll have some tough decisions come playoff time.”

The New York State Division II rankings give the Bulldogs a lot to feel good about heading into the postseason. The Bulldogs are ranked second in the New York State Division II rankings by the New York State Sportswriters Association. They were ranked No. 1 in Division II by United States High School Hockey Online. Those prestigious rankings have guaranteed nothing, though, for the rest of the regular season. The Bulldogs are still in a dog fight for the No. 1 seed in the Small School division as Williamsville East remains in first place. In fact, the Flames 10-1 record has them in the drivers’ seat for the first seed as long as they win out.

“We’re definitely in a battle and a fight for the No. 1 seed with Williamsville East and West Seneca West,” Pray said. “East is in control if they win out. We need to get help.”

The Bulldogs can help themselves with wins over Grand Island this Thursday and Sweet Home next Thursday. This week’s game is at Hyde Park at 5 p.m. and next week’s contest will by at the Northtown Center at 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Kenmore West Blue Devils are still searching for their first win. A 4-1 loss to West Seneca West on Monday dropped the Blue Devils to 0-9-1 overall on the season. Kenmore West also lost to Bishop Timon St. Jude on Saturday, 8-0.

Rob Seiler had the lone goal for Kenmore West on Monday with assists to Kyle Maida and Jeff Becker. Goaltender Sean Guetti stopped 29 of 33 shots by West Seneca West.

Seiler continues to lead the team with five goals in eight games, while Becker leads the team in points with six.

Kenmore West will have a chance to break into the win column when they face St. Mary’s of Lancaster at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Northtown Center. The Blue Devils’ final game of the regular season will be on Feb. 9 when they take on Hamburg at the Northtown Center.

email: mmigliore@beenews.com