The Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey 14th Season started off with a 1-1 Overtime tie between St. Mary’s of Lancaster (STM), the host, and Hamburg/Eden/West Seneca/Holland (HHEWS).
St. Mary’s Avery Szczewsek scored not only the opening goal, but the first goal of the WNYGVIH season, with just 55.2 seconds left in the first period. She was assisted by Alana Pagano.
The second period only showed penalties on the scoreboard with no scoring.
It looked like the third was going to be a no scoring period when at 12:14 HHEWS Sophia Phillips got one past Avery Hall to tie the game. Samathana Miller and Brynn Holland had the assists. The game now heads to overtime at 1-1.
A five minute OT and no score sends the first game of 2023-24 into the record books with an overtime tie.
HHEWS Ella Buczynski, an eighth grader from West Seneca, stopped 10 of 11 shots and St. Mary’s Avery Hall, a junior, stopped 26 of 27 SOG.
Mercyhurst menÕs hockey vs. Air Force, Nov. 25, 2022. Photo by Ed Mailliard.
By Warren Kozireski —
To say that Kyler Head’s hockey career has taken some unexpected turns would be a gross understatement. The Mercyhurst University senior (with one more season of eligibility after this one) is just six games into his return from a January 2023 shoulder injury and surgery.
“It’s been good; started out against Notre Dame so it’s been getting easier as we go,” Head said. “Just trying to stay positive. I think I’m back to normal now. I’ve been practicing all year, just been waiting for contact in games.”
In 2017-18, Head jumped between three junior teams playing four games with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL, ten with the Central Illinois Flying Aces and 32 back with the New Jersey Jr. Titans in the NAHL.
“It was a mental year just trying to figure out where I could play and what I could do. I got cut from Green Bay and got picked up in the trade block by Central Illinois and did alright. But then I just wanted to back to the North American League where the coaches were good to me and a spectacular program with the Titans.
He committed to Robert Morris in December as a 21-year-old and played 23 games there as a freshman when the school announced that it would discontinue the hockey program at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.
“It was terrible what happened to us,” Head said. “I was basically going to quit hockey, but a door opened here (Mercyhurst), and I took it. Started here two weeks after school started (in 2021-22), so I was pretty behind, but I made it work.
“The portal is so (messed up) with covid, so I just had to wait for an opportunity, and I got it.”
Head had six points in 18 games his first season with the Lakers after the late start and had eight goals and 13 points in 28 games last season before getting hurt.
“What he possesses, the way he’s built; he’s just a big human being, he skates, he has good hands—there’s not a lot of guys like that in Atlantic Hockey,” Mercyhurst head coach Rick Gotkin said.
“He can be an absolute force. He got hurt last January and just played his first game at Notre Dame (end of October) and we haven’t seen Kyler Head yet. He is a big-time player and we’re confident he’s going to find that again, and when he does, he’s going to help us a ton.”
Now 6’4” and 210 lb., the now 24-year-old played for Franklin Academy in Malone before spending the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons largely with the Northern Cyclones program as a 16- and 17-year-old prior to his USHL and NAHL days.
Mercyhurst men’s hockey vs. Air Force, Nov. 25, 2022. Photo by Ed Mailliard.
Head is building back after not seeing game action from January to mid-October in his rebound from shoulder surgery, but he still isn’t looking ahead beyond the next practice or game.
“I don’t really like to think too far in the future, I just like to live in the present; life is real quick.”
Canisius scored the final three goals of the game to erase a 1-0 deficit and defeat Air Force, 3-1, in Atlantic Hockey Association action Friday at LECOM Harborcenter in downtown Buffalo.
Freshman Jack Budd, junior Matt Vermaetenand freshman Matteo Giampaall scored for the Golden Griffins (4-7-1, 4-3-1 AHA), who picked up their third win in their last four outings with Friday’s triumph. Senior goaltender David Fessenden finished with 24 saves to record his third victory of the season in goal for Canisius.
Will Gavin tallied the lone goal for the visiting Falcons (7-8-0, 4-3-0 AHA) while Guy Blessing made 17 saves between the pipes.
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE (PWHL) TO HOST PRE-SEASON EVALUATION CAMP IN UTICA, NEW YORK
December 3-7 camp features all six teams, nine scrimmages, exclusive Fan Fest
TORONTO, ON – The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) announced details for a pre-season evaluation camp taking place December 3-7 in Utica, New York. Over the five-day schedule, all six PWHL teams will assemble for a series of information and training sessions, practices, and scrimmages at the Utica University Nexus Center in preparation for the league’s inaugural season.
“The PWHL Pre-Season Evaluation Camp is a unique opportunity to bring all six teams together to build towards final roster selections and preparation for our inaugural season,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations. “We are excited to partner with the Utica University Nexus Center and share part of this special experience with hockey fans in upstate New York. The world-class facility and host of the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship makes Utica a great fit to showcase the best women’s hockey players in the world.”
A Fan Fest event on Tuesday, December 5, is the highlight of the camp schedule with an exclusive sneak peek at the PWHL. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET, the event offers free limited edition PWHL giveaways, an autograph signing and meet and greets with members of each team, and a full scrimmage between New York and Ottawa. This online form must be completed to reserve attendance at Fan Fest.
“It is an honor to host the PWHL at the Utica University Nexus Center,” said Nicole Kirnan Kelly, General Manager of the Utica University Nexus Center. “The excitement surrounding this league, and the opportunity to have the very best women’s hockey players, coaches, and administrators all under our roof is an amazing opportunity for our community and facility. As the PWHL continues to establish itself as an unprecedented and groundbreaking opportunity for women and girls in this sport, we are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to host all six professional teams for five days. Many of the players and coaches of the PWHL will be involved in the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship, so we are excited to give a welcoming first look at what our facility and region has to offer.”
Opened in November of 2022, the Utica University Nexus Center features three ice sheets and state of the art amenities. It is home to the Utica University Women’s hockey team, the Utica Jr. Comets’ Junior teams, and the Utica Yeti. The 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship is scheduled for April 3-14 and will include 10 competing countries and 29 tournament games played between the Nexus Center and the adjacent Adirondack Bank Center.
It may have taken four seasons, but RIT senior forward, Emma Roland, received her first College Hockey America (CHA) weekly honor when she recently was named CHA Forward of the Week. It was an honor well deserved.
In their recent two-game series at Robert Morris University, Roland tallied a CHA-leading six points, with two goals and four assists in the Tigers’ split with the Colonials. That included the first game which saw the Williamsville native score five points on two power play goals and three assists.
Add to that two blocked shots and eight shots on goal. Not a bad weekend.
Roland has come a long way since her freshman season which saw her score just s single point (an assist) in 12 games for RIT. Now a senior and in, what could be, her final season with the Tigers, Roland has seen just how quickly time can fly.
“It is really hard to believe that I’m in my senior year,” remarked Roland, the daughter of James and Traci Roland. “It’s been such an awesome experience.
“I’ve always say how happy I am that I chose to come to RIT. I’ve made a lot of friendships here and I think I’ve really grown as a person at RIT.
“It’s been a really fun four years.”
But these four years came after and exciting two years as a high scoring forward for the Williamsville girl’s High School varsity hockey team. Roland helped lead her team to back-to-back Section VI Girls Varsity High School Hockey Championships in 2018-19 and 2019-20.
On top of that the Williamsville girls varsity hockey team won the New York State Girls Varsity Championship for the 2018-19 season, but lost in the championship game the following campaign.
Individually, Roland had two outstanding seasons scoring 36 goals, 26 assists for 62 points in 24 games in 2018-19. She followed that with 31 goals, 14 assists for 45 points in 21 games in 2019-20.
With her high school success behind her, how difficult was it for Roland to make the jump to DI Women’s College Hockey?
“There was definitely an adjustment,” responded Roland, who has one sibling, a twin sister, Erin. “It is much quicker than high school hockey.”
In her sophomore year at RIT, Roland played in 33 game and led the Tigers in scoring with nine goals, nine assists for 18 points. Last season the 21 year-old Roland saw action in 29 game, but scored only five goal and an assist for six points.
Unfortunately, the RIT Women’s hockey team has struggled in all three of Roland’s seasons with the Tigers, winning just a single game each season for a total of three wins over the past three campaigns.
But this season seems to be different with the Tigers, who currently have a record of 7-6-2.
“We’ve been rebuilding the past three years, but our desire to win has never changed,” commented Roland. “We now have some experience under our belts, growing with those players I came in with as a freshman.
“We now have an older, experienced, veteran team that is winning some games. We seem to be coming together this year.”
Roland also admits that she has some great and wonderful memories of her high school hockey career.
“I think one of my fondest memory was playing for the State championship in Lake Placid,” remembered Roland, a graduate of Williamsville North High School. “That is a place that has a lot of hockey history.”
She also remembered her Williamsville hockey coach, Rick Hopkins.
“He played a huge role in my hockey career,” remarked Roland. “I still keep in touch with him.
“He’s awesome. I’m always excited for the Williamsville girls hockey team and I hope they have a good year again this year.”
One honor that Roland is proud of is being named to the CHA All-Academic Team for the past two seasons. Playing hockey and majoring in the Physician Assistant program would appear to be a difficult combination.
“That’s been the biggest challenge for me so far,” commented Roland. “My teammate, Lindsay Maloney, are both in the same Physician Assistant program which is a very tough program.
“Having each other has been very helpful. Our professors have been great.”
Roland has the upcoming spring semester to complete her studies which will be followed by next summer and the next academic year being spent in a hospital.
And, believe it or not, Roland could still play another year of hockey if she wanted thanks to her COVID year. Would she try and balance a hospital schedule with hockey?
“We’re trying to work through that right now,” answered Roland. “I don’t want this to be my last season of hockey, but if a next season is possible is to be decided.”
Roland concluded with some advice to those hockey players now playing for the Williamsville High School girl’s team.
“Time flies,” she said. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself because hockey is supposed to be fun.
“If you play that way you will have some great memories like I do.”
(Photos by Janet Schultz Photography/NY Hockey OnLine)
MERCYHURST’S ENA NYSTRØM AND SYDNEY PEDERSEN; RIT’S EMMA ROLAND
AND PENN STATE’S STELLA RETRUM EARN CHA WEEKLY HONORS
Quartet recognized for performances during games of Nov. 17-18
BOSTON, Mass. – Nov. 20, 2023 – College Hockey America is proud to honor four student-athletes as its CHA Players of the Week for their outstanding on-ice performances in games of Nov. 17-18. The Mercyhurst duo of graduate student Ena Nystrøm (Goaltender), and junior Sydney Pedersen (Defensemen) are joined by RIT’s senior Emma Roland (Forward) and Penn State freshman forward Stella Retrum (Rookie) as this week’s honors.
CHA FORWARD OF THE WEEK
Emma Roland, Sr., F, RIT (Williamsville, N.Y.)
RIT forward Emma Roland tallied a CHA-leading six points on the weekend with two goals and four assists in the Tigers’ split at Robert Morris. The Williamsville, N.Y. native registered a career-high five points on two goals and three assists to lead RIT to a 7-3 win over the Colonials in the series opener on Friday. She scored two power play goals and finished +3 in the contest. ON Saturday, Roland picked up her fourth assist of the weekend and was +1 in a 3-2 loss. Roland also added two blocks and eight shots on goal to her weekend totals. This is her first career CHA weekly honor.
Honorable Mention: Brianna Brooks, Sr., F, Penn State: Tallied two assists and won 26-of-38 faceoffs in Penn State’s road split at Mercyhurst.Jersey Phillips, Gr., F, Robert Morris: Scored her first career game-winning goal shorthanded to beat RIT on Saturday.
CHA DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK
Sydney Pedersen, Jr., D, Mercyhurst (Milestone, Sask.)
Mercyhurst defenseman Sydney Pedersen registered a goal and an assist in the Lakers’ 4-0 win over Penn State on Friday. The Milestone, Sask., native finished the series with eight shots on goal and three blocked shots. Pedersen leads the Lakers with 14 assists and shares the team scoring lead with 18 points, which leads all CHA blueliners. This is her eighth career CHA weekly honor and second this season.
Honorable Mention: Sarah Davies, So., D, Lindenwood: Contributed two power-play goals to the Lion attack as LU came away with a win and a tie at Syracuse. Lyndie Lobdell, Sr., D, Penn State: Led the Nittany Lions in blocked shots with four at Mercyhurst to raise her team-leading total to 24. Emma Pickering, Fr., D, RIT: Recorded five blocks, six shots on goal and an assist in the Tigers’ road split at Robert Morris.
CHA GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Ena Nystrøm, Gr., G, Mercyhurst (Stavanger, Norway)
Mercyhurst goaltender Ena Nystrøm, stopped 16-of-16 shots to earn her fourth shutout of the year against Penn State on Friday. The whitewash was the 12th of the Stavanger, Norway, native’s Laker career. On Saturday, Nystrøm equaled her season high with a 44-save performance for her fourth game of 40 or more saves this season. In all, Nystrøm turned away a CHA weekend-high 60-of-63 shots for a save percentage of .877. This is her 10th career CHA weekly honor and second this season.
Honorable Mention: Natalie Ferenc, Sr., G, Lindenwood: Backstopped the Lions’ first win at Syracuse, since the 2017-18 season with a 37-save performance on Friday. Sophia Bellina, So., G, RIT: Made 32 saves in RIT’s 7-3 win at Robert Morris, Friday, including a 19-save effort in the third period to preserve the win.
CHA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Stella Retrum, Fr., F, Penn State (Maple Grove, Minn.)
Penn State forward Stella Retrum tallied one goal and one assist in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Mercyhurst. The Maple Grove, Minn., native assisted on the Nittany Lions’ opening goal then potted her third goal of the season in the third period to give PSU a 3-1 lead. Both points came on the power-play. It was her third multi-point game of the season. Retrum finished the weekend with five shots on goal and a pair of blocked shots. This is her second career CHA weekly honor.
Honorable Mention: Sofia Nuutinen, Fr., F, Mercyhurst: Scored the Lakers’ second goal on her only shot of the game and added an assist on MU’s final goal in a 4-0 win over Penn State on Friday. Addie Alvarez, Fr., F, RIT: Tallied three points on two goals and an assist in the Tigers’ road split at Robert Morris.
Junior forward Orr had an excellent offensive week for Plattsburgh, scoring twice against No. 13 Norwich in a 2-2 tie, and then adding an assist against Potsdam in a 4-1 win. Orr tallied twice against the Cadets, finishing a +/- mark of +1 while putting three shots on goal. Against the Bears, she assisted on the third goal of the game, helping the Cardinals to build a cushion on the road for an eventual SUNYAC win.
Levy had 38 saves against #11 Cortland to help lead to a shutout draw for Oswego. Her performance on Friday marked her second consecutive shutout against Cortland.
Pazmandi continued her strong rookie campaign over the weekend, as she put up her second two-goal game of the season against Potsdam on Friday. Pazmandi registered the eventual game-winner late in the first period on a five-on-three power play and scored an empty netter to seal the win toward the end of the third period. On the week, she put 13 shots on goal and was +2 over two games played.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The SUNYAC selectes Paul Bryer (Plattsburgh), Adam Harris (Geneseo) and Vadim Kiriakov (Buffalo State) as this week’s Men’s Ice Hockey Player, Goaltender and Rookie of the Week.
Bryer was instrumental in Plattsburgh’s 3-2 win over Potsdam on Friday, as the senior helped the Cards stay undefeated in league play and atop the standings. The senior forward assisted on the team’s second goal of the game in the second period to give the team their first lead of the game, and then scored on the power play late in the third period for the game-winning goal.
Harris and the Knights handed out a pair of losses to Cortland and Oswego, both teams had not lost in conference yet this season. On Friday night, Harris tallied 37 saves and only allowed two goals in a 3-2 win over Cortland. On Saturday Harris followed it up with 40 saves in a 2-1 win over Oswego. The Burlington, Ont. native finished the weekend with a goals allowed average of 1.50, 77 saves, and a save percentage of .963.
Kiriakov had an excellent finish to the weekend for the Bengals, playing a crucial role in Buffalo State’s come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Morrisville on Saturday evening. The freshman forward scored the opening goal of the game, and added the primary assist on the game-winning goal in the final minute of regulation. For the night, Kiriakov totaled a plus/minus rating of +3.
CORTLAND, N.Y. – The nationally 11th-ranked Cortland women’s hockey team scored five second-period goals in earning a 6-3 victory Saturday afternoon in SUNYAC play at Alumni Arena. The Red Dragons improved to 7-0-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the conference. The Bears fell to 2-3 and 1-3.
Senior Jillian Hlasnick (Olean/Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) led Cortland with two goals and two assists, while junior Mia Hlasnick (Olean/Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) also netted two goals. Junior Meggan Cramer (Cicero/Nothwood School) scored a goal, and freshman McKenzie Brown (Peru/Lovell Academy) picked up the first goal of her career.
Sophomore Ainsley Delacourt (Stoney Creek, NY/Brampton Canadettes) collected three assists for the Red Dragons. Seniors Nicole Tulowiecki (Syracuse/Syracuse Nationals), Kait Bourgeois (Cobden, ON/Ottawa Thunder) and Molly McCabe (Webster/18UAA Webster), sophomore Fanny Aneborn (Linkoping, Sweden/Lulea HF Sweden) and freshmen Calista Brough (Port Perry, ON/Whitby Wolves) and Katie Mahoney (Toronto, ON/Toronto Leaside) each recorded an assist. Junior goalie Molly Goergen (Eden Prairie, MN/Eden Prairie H.S.) stopped 17 shots.
Graduate student Kaylee Merrill (Wasilla, AK/Anchorage North Stars) paced the Bears with a goal and an assist. Senior Rebecca Holmes (Lawtons/Buffalo Bisons) netted her first collegiate goal, and graduate student Megan Teachout (Auburn/Oswego St.) added a goal. Graduate student Alex Quinn (Potsdam/St. Lawrence Steel) and senior Megan Sheehan (Akron/Buffalo Bisons) registered assists. Sophomore Magalie Parent (Trois-Rivieres, QC/Les Diablos) started in goal, making 30 saves in 37:54 before giving way to senior Ellie Zurfluh (Arvada, CO/Tam Colorado), who stopped 10 shots in 22:06.
Cortland 6, Potsdam 3
Score by periods: Potsdam 0-0-3 3 Cortland 0-5-1 6
Saves: Magalie Parent (Potsdam) 30 saves (5 GA in 37:54), Ellie Zurfluh (Potsdam) 10 saves (1 GA in 22:06); Molly Goergen (Cortland) 17 saves (3 GA in 60:00)
Shots on goal: Cortland 46 (12-23-11), Potsdam 20 (5-7-8) Penalties: Potsdam 6-12:00, Cortland 4-8:00 Power Play: Cortland 2-5, Potsdam 2-4
Records after game: Potsdam (Bears) 2-3, 1-3 SUNYAC SUNYAC; Cortland (Red Dragons) 7-0-1, 4-0-1 SUNYAC (ranked 11th in Div. III)
GENESEO, N.Y. – The nationally seventh-ranked Geneseo men’s hockey team scored three first-period goals and held off a Cortland comeback to earn a 3-2 victory Friday night in SUNYAC action. The Red Dragons dropped to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference. The Knights improved to 6-1 and 3-1.
Senior Jona Hildreth (Williamsville/Walpole Express) and junior Johnny Facchini (Succasunna, NJ/P.A.L. Junior Islanders) scored Cortland’s goals. Seniors Sutter Donegan (Cicero/Buffalo Jr. Sabres) and Geordan Buffoline (Ballston Spa/Vermont Lumberjacks) and sophomore Stephen Kyrkostas (Selden/Johnstown Tomahawks) each collected an assist. Sophomore goalie Ronan Mobley (Playa Del Ray, CA/New Hampshire Avalanche) stopped 28 shots.
Alex Wilkins led Geneseo with a goal and an assist. Tyson Gilmoure and Alex Dameski added goals, while Cooper Fensterstock, Peter Morgan, Mitch Machiltt and Sterling Wolters chipped in with one assist apiece. Goalie Adam Harris made 37 saves.
The Knights jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening period on a power-play goal and two even-strength scores. Hildreth made it a 3-1 game at 18:07 of the second period, and Facchini pulled Cortland to within 3-2 at 12:35 of the third period. The Red Dragons pulled Mobley late for an extra skater but couldn’t score the equalizer as Geneseo held on for the 3-2 win.
Geneseo 3, Cortland 2
Score by periods: Cortland 0-1-1 2 Geneseo 3-0-0 3
Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists) Cortland: Jona Hildreth 1-0, Johnny Facchini 1-0, Sutter Donegan 0-1, Geordan Buffoline 0-1, Stephen Kyrkostas 0-1 Geneseo: Alex Wilkins 1-1, Tyson Gilmour 1-0, Alex Dameski 1-0, Cooper Fensterstock 0-1, Peter Morgan 0-1, Mitch Machiltt 0-1, Sterling Wolters 0-1
Saves: Ronan Mobely (Cortland) 28 saves (3 GA in 58:22), Empty Net 1:38, Adam Harris (Geneseo) 37 saves (2 GA in 60:00)
Shots on Goal: Cortland 39 (12-17-10), Geneseo 31 (13-10-8) Penalties: Cortland 5-10;00, Geneseo 4-8:00 Power Play: Geneseo 1-5, Cortland 0-4
CORTLAND VS. BROCKPORT
CORTLAND, N.Y. – The Cortland men’s hockey team scored three unanswered goals in the third period to break open a close game in earning a 6-2 victory Saturday night in SUNYAC action at Alumni Arena. The Red Dragons improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the conference, while the Golden Eagles dropped to 2-5 and 1-4.
Six different players scored goals for Cortland. Seniors Nate Berke (Williamsville/Buffalo Jr. Sabres) and Jona Hildreth (Williamsville/Walpole Express), juniors Domenic Settimo (East Meadow/P.A.L. Junior Islanders) and Anthony Bernardo (Hauppauge.P.A.L. Junior Islanders) and sophomores Evan Beaudry (Mississauga, ON/Kemptville 73s) and Zack Smith (Courtice/Cobourg Cougars) each notched a goal.
Sophomore Stephen Kyrkostas (Selden/Johnstown Tomahawks) recorded three assists for the Red Dragon, while seven others picked up one assist apiece. Freshman goalie Hunter Hein (Peoria, AZ/Texas Roadrunners) turned aside 27 shots.
Senior Connor Galloway (Sugar Hill, GA/Boston Jr. Rangers) and sophomore Josh Grund (Baldwinsville/Boston Jr. Rangers) each tallied a goal and an assist for Brockport. Graduate student Scott Ramaekers (Hamburg/Buffalo Jr. Sabres) and junior Jacob Rodrigue (Nashua, NH/Boston Jr. Rangers) collected an assist. Senior goalie Dylan Wiemer (Greece/East Coast Wizards) registered 31 saves.
Galloway gave the Golden Eagles the lead just 1:27 into the game when he scored on a wrist shot after Ramaekers caused a turnover in Cortland’s defensive zone. Beaudry tied the game a little more than a minute later on a rebound after a save on Brophy. Berke gave Cortland a 2-1 lead at 15:39 with a one-time shot deep on the left side of the crease.
Hildreth pushed the Cortland lead to 3-1 at 8:32 of the second period, finishing off slick pass work with a quick shot into an open side of the net. Grund made it a 3-2 game heading to the third period with a rebound goal at 14:04.
Settimo scored in front at 8:43 of the third period, and Bernardo scored after a Kyrkostas faceoff win just over a minute later to make it a 5-2 game. Smith completed the scoring with a one-time shot off a fed from sophomore Colby Seitz Eden/Corpus Christi IceRays) at 13:58 for the 6-2 final
Cortland 6, Brockport 2
Score by periods: Brockport 1-1-0 2 Cortland 2-1-3 6
Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists) Brockport: Connor Galloway 1-1, Josh Grund 1-1, Scott Ramaekers 0-1, Jacob Rodrigue 0-1 Cortland: Evan Beaudry 1-0, Nate Berke 1-0, Jona Hildreth 1-0, Domenic Settimo 1-0, Anthony Bernardo 1-0, Zack Smith 1-0, Stephen Kyrkostas 0-3, Ryder Brophy 0-1, Sam Nichols 0-1, D.J. Walsh 0-1, Colin Anna 0-1, Devlin O’Kane 0-1, Johnny Facchini 0-1, Colby Seitz 0-1
Saves: Dylan Wiemer (Brockport) 31 saves (6 GA in 60:00); Hunter Hein (Cortland) 27 saves (2 GA in 59:55), Empty Net :05 Shots on Goal: Cortland 37 (12-9-16), Brockport 29 (5-15-9) Penalties: Cortland 3-6:00, Brockport 1-2:00 Power Play: Brockport 0-2, Cortland 0-0
Records after game: Brockport (Golden Eagles) 2-5, 1-4 SUNYAC, Cortland (Red Dragons) 6-1, 4-1 SUNYAC
22-player roster set to compete at 2023 World Junior A Challenge, Dec. 10-17
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Hockey announced today the 22 players named to the 2023 U.S. Junior Select Team that will compete at the 2023 World Junior A Challenge from December 10-17 in Truro, Nova Scotia.
All 22 players on Team USA currently compete in the United States Hockey League, the nation’s only tier I junior hockey league.
The group features 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders.
The roster is highlighted by six players selected in the 2023 NHL Draft, including Brandon Svoboda (Level Green, Pa./Youngstown Phantoms) who was taken with the 71st overall pick in the third round by the San Jose Sharks; Chris Pelosi (Sewell, N.J./Sioux Falls Stampede), who was selected by the Boston Bruins 92nd overall in the third round; Columbus Blue Jackets fourth round (98th overall) selection Andrew Strathmann (Beach Park, Ill./Youngstown Phantoms); Boston Bruins fourth round (124th overall) selection Beckett Hendrickson (Minnetonka, Minn./Sioux Falls Stampede); Los Angeles Kings fourth round (118th overall) draftee Hampton Slukynsky (Warroad, Minn./Fargo Force); and Detroit Red Wings fifth round pick (137th overall) Jack Phelan (Hinsdale, Ill./Sioux Falls Stampede).
In addition, Zam Plante (Hermantown, Minn./Fargo Force) was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round (150th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Two players from the 2022 U.S. Junior Select Team are returning to World Jr. A Challenge action, including Gavin Lindberg (Fergus Falls, Minn./Waterloo Black Hawks), and Strathmann.
Several players have represented the U.S. at previous international events. Hendrickson and Slukynsky won gold with Team USA at the 2023 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship.
Additionally, Trevor Connelly (Tustin, Calif./Tri-City Storm), Will Felicio (Holden, Mass./Madison Capitols), Caleb Heil (Victoria, Minn./Sioux Falls Stampede), Tory Pitner(Greenwich, Conn.) and Mac Swanson (Anchorage, Alaska/Fargo Force) represented the U.S. at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, while Joe Connor (Amherst, N.H./Muskegon Lumberjacks), Griffin Erdman (Wilmington, Del./Waterloo Black Hawks), and Strathmann took part in the 2022 event.
The U.S. opens tournament play on Dec. 11 against Slovakia at 2:30 p.m. ET. For Team USA’s full schedule, click HERE.
NOTES: Since the inaugural World Junior A Challenge in 2006, Team USA has captured nine tournament crowns (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022), including the 2022 title… Marc Boxer (Hancock, Mich.) is the general manager of the 2023 U.S. Junior Select Team. Matt Smaby (Minneapolis, Minn./Waterloo Black Hawks) will serve as head coach of the U.S. Junior Select Team, joined by assistant coaches Mike Leone (Dearborn Heights, Mich./Green Bay Gamblers), Carter Krier (Moorhead, Minn./Fargo Force), and Evan Dixon (Novi, Mich./Dubuque Fighting Saints). To view the full staff, click HERE… To follow Team USA throughout the 2023 World Jr. A Challenge, click HERE.
POTSDAM, N.Y. – The No. 3 Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey team handled business on the road, taking down SUNY Potsdam in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) action. Zsofia Pazmandi (Kaposvar, Hungary/Ontario Hockey) scored two goals for the second time this season, including the game-winner, to help Plattsburgh stay unbeaten on the season.
The Plattsburgh State Cardinals are currently the No. 3 team in the USCHO.com Division III Top-15 Poll for women’s ice hockey.
Pazmandi scored the second and fourth of the game for the Cards, while Ava Mattaliano (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./Belle Tire) opened the scoring and Mattie Norton (Glen Carbon, Ill./St. Louis Lady Blues) added the game’s final goal. Chloe Lewis (Monson, Mass./Northwood School) earned the first start of her college career and picked up the win, stopping 18 shots over 60 minutes.
The Cardinals outshot the Bears 50-19 over the 60 minutes of game action, as Plattsburgh also went 2-5 on the power play and Potsdam was 1-3.
Plattsburgh State moves to 4-0-1 (4-0 SUNYAC) with the win and looks towards the Panther/Cardinal Classic for their next set of games. They will take on current No. 8 Wisconsin Eau-Claire in their first game and will play either No. 6 Middlebury or an Endicott team receiving votes. Potsdam falls to 2-2 (1-2 SUNYAC) and plays Cortland tomorrow, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. on the road.
Mattaliano opened the scoring for Plattsburgh just over four and a half minutes into the game, as Norton and Taya Balfour (Moorestown, N.J./Philadelphia Jr. Flyers) assisted the first-year on her second goal of the year. Potsdam was quick to respond, however, as Kaylee Merrill tallied a power play score less than two minutes later.
The game remained tied through the rest of the first period, until Plattsburgh found themselves in a five-on-three situation, with Julia Masotta (Tewksbury, Mass./Norwich) slowly working her way up the ice toward the goal. As she approached the goal, she dumped the puck off to Pazmandi, who went to a knew for a powerful one-timer past the Bear’s goaltender, giving the Cards they would not relinquish.
After a scoreless second period where Plattsburgh outshot Potsdam 14-7, the Cards gave themselves some breathing room with a score at the 7:35 minute mark of the third period. Working once more on the power play, Norton scored on a deep shot past the Potsdam goaltender, as she was screened and unable to get a clear look at Norton taking the slapshot. Aizah Thompson (Williamsville, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons) and Bridget Orr (Excelsior, Minn./North American Hockey Academy) each picked up assists on the play.
With Plattsburgh now leading by two goals, the Bears were desperate for a score, eventually pulling their goalie. Almost immediately after pulling their goaltender, the Cardinals were able to regain possession, allowing Pazmandi to score her second goal of the game with the empty net, assisted by Mattaliano, sealing the Cardinal win.
For Potsdam, Magalie Parent made 46 saves over 59:53 minutes of action, while Megan Teachout and Alex Quinn had assists.
BOX SCORESLindenwood 4 at Syracuse 4 (OT)* /Box Score(RV/UR) Penn State 3 at Mercyhurst 1* /Box ScoreRIT 2 at Robert Morris 3* /Box Score *- College Hockey America game
NIGHTLY NOTESWith today’s 3-1 victory, Penn State’s Josie Bothun has surrendered one or zero goals in 46 of her 104 games with the Nittany Lions. That total includes 18 career shutouts, which ranks No. 2 in CHA history. Penn State’s 47 shots on goal today is a season high for the Nittany Lions and equals the most by a team against a CHA opponent this season (47- Mercyhurst at RIT, Nov. 3). Mercyhurst’s Ena Nystrøm registered her fourth 40-save game of the season and equaled her season high with 44 saves against Penn State. This is her eighth game of 40 or more saves in her Laker career. Syracuse’s four goals today equals the Orange’s season high which came in a 4-4 tie at Boston University on Oct. 20.Syracuse goaltender Amelia Van Vliet made a career-high 27 saves in the Orange’s 4-4 tie with Lindenwood.Kate Holmes won a career-high 16 faceoffs for Syracuse in the tie. Sarah Coe’s 30-save performance for RIT today gives her 1,984 stops in her career and moves her into 17th place on the CHA career saves list. Maggie Hatch registered her fifth 30+ save game in five appearances this season with a 32-save effort for Robert Morris this afternoon.
BOX SCORESLindenwood 4 at Syracuse 3* /Box Score(RV/UR) Penn State 0 at Mercyhurst 4* /Box ScoreRIT 7 at Robert Morris 3* /Box Score *- College Hockey America game
NIGHTLY NOTESLindenwood’s Morgan Neitzke registered her sixth multi-point game of the season and 19th of her career tonight. Lindenwood goaltender Natalie Ferenc made 37 saves for her seventh game of 30 or more saves this season. Syracuse senior Sarah Thompson netted her seventh career power-play goal this evening, which ties her for fourth among active CHA skaters (Lindsay Maloney, RIT/Madison Primeau, Syracuse/Robert Morris).Rachel Teslak’s 11 shots on goal for the Orange against Lindenwood are the most by a CHA defenseman this season and ties for the second-most by any CHA player in 2023-24 (Morgan Giannone, Robert Morris vs. St. Anselm, Oct. 7). Mercyhurst’s two goals in 48 seconds in the second period tonight marks the fourth time this season the Lakers have scored twice in under a minute.Ena Nystrøm registered her 12th career shutout for Mercyhurst this evening. Tessa Janecke’s 22 faceoff wins for Penn State tonight marks her third game with 20 or more faceoff wins this season.RIT’s five second-period goals tonight equaled the CHA season high (Robert Morris vs. St. Anselm, Oct. 8). The total ties for fourth-most in a period in CHA history. RIT’s Emma Roland posted a career-and CHA season-high five points on two goals and three assists for the Tigers. The total ties for fifth in CHA history for a single game.
