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Purple Eagles Net a No. 17 Ranking in the USCHO.com Poll

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NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara hockey team has found itself on the national polls for the seventh straight week after dropping Air Force this weekend, jumping up one spot to the No. 17 ranking in the most recent USCHO.com Division I poll.

The Purps have been ranked in the prior six polls, tying the program record of seven consecutive weeks that was earned during the 2006-07 season (Jan. 2 – Feb. 12).  The team’s highest ranking this season came during the week of Dec. 10, pulling down a No. 16 ranking in the USCHO.com Poll which was the team’s best position in the poll since the 2006-07 season when NU earned the 16th spot for two consecutive weeks (Jan. 22 & Jan. 29).

The NCAA Tournament Pairwise Comparison Ratings has NU tied at No. 16 with Robert Morris and Colgate.

A thrilling 4-3 victory over the Falcons this past weekend pushed the Purple Eagles to an 11-3-4 overall record, and a 10-0-1 Atlantic Hockey mark.  The team is tops in the conference, five points ahead of second-place Army.  The win on Saturday also marked the team’s 14th straight contest without a loss on the scoresheet while on home ice.

The Purple Eagles travel to Springfield, Mass. to battle the AIC Yellow Jackets in a weekend series that begins on Friday, Jan. 11, and wraps up the following day.  The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:05 p.m. at the Olympia Ice Center for both contests.

Vote Carsen Chubak & Giancarlo Iuorio for the Hobey Baker Award

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NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Center Giancarlo Iuorio and goaltender Carsen Chubak are among 77 initial candidates on the fan ballot for the 2013 Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the nation’s best player in NCAA Division I men’s college hockey.

Fans can vote once per every 24 hours through March 10, 2013 for Iuorio and Chubak HERE.

Chubak anchors Niagara’s defense, which ranks ninth in the nation, allowing 1.46 goals-per game which is good enough for second in the country.  Leading the Purps to a No. 17 national ranking and an 11-3-4 overall record, Chubak ranks first in the nation in save percentage .954 and shutouts (5).

Starting in all, but two games over the last 17 games, he is a five-time Atlantic Hockey Goalie of the Week this season and was the AHA Goalie of the Month for October and November.

Iuorio, who serves as the team’s assistant captain, has played a pivotal role in the NU offense.  The two-time AHA Player of the Week and Player of the Month for November is tied for third in the nation in goals (12), and goals-per game (0.67).  His 1.11 points-per game places him 24th in the nation, while his four power-play tallies slates him in the 22nd spot.

He became the first Purple Eagle to net three consecutive 20 point season since Egor Mironov and Chris Moran achieved it during the 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 season, while he is only 12 points away from joining the 100-point club that only 13 Purple Eagles have attained.

In Niagara’s 17-year history, Niagara has had a pair of top-10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award.  Paul Zanette earned this distinction after the 2010-11 season, and Joe Tallari was in the final 10 following the 2002-03 campaign.

The Hobey Baker Award is given annually to college hockey’s Most Valuable Player.  Award criteria include candidates emulating the exceptional character traits exhibited by the award’s namesake, Hobey Baker, a World War I flying star better known as America’s greatest amateur athlete in his day.  Award candidates must demonstrate strength of character both on and off the ice, contribute to the integrity of his team and display outstanding skills in all phases of the game.  Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and sportsmanship.

Finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award are determined by an initial round of balloting by all 58 Division I college coaches; the top 10 names then advance to the award’s selection committee composed of media, NHL scouts, college hockey coaches and supervisors of officials. A fan vote conducted online at hobeybaker.com allows college hockey fans a one-percent vote in each round of balloting.

The top-10 finalists will be unveiled on March 21.

 

Bears conquer Spartans, extend unbeaten streak to five

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POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team (6-8-1) shook off an
early goal to defeat Castleton State (6-4-1) 4-1 for its fourth straight
victory. The Bears got two goals and an assist from junior captain
Brittany Lucky (Kanata, Ontario/Ottawa Senators) and 36 saves from junior
goalie Dawna Salvarinas (Mississauga, Ontario/Brampton Thunder). Potsdam
is now 4-0-1 in its last five games.

The Spartans capitalized on their first power play. At the 4:04 mark of
the first period, freshman forward Anna Daniels (Falun, Sweden/Leksands
IF) buried a rebound for a 1-0 lead. Senior forward Jade Werger (Maple
Ridge, B.C./Warner Hockey School) assisted on the goal. Potsdam answered
just 1:35 later as Brittany Lucky beat Castleton freshman goalie Brittany
Brayman (FortAnne, N.Y./Adirondack Phantoms) with a shot from the point.
Junior forward Jessica Silveira (Brampton, Ontario/Brampton Thunder)
recorded the assist. Salvarinas and Brayman were the story the rest of the
period. The Spartan goalie finished the opening stanza with 10 saves and
Salvarinas with nine.

Less than two minutes into the second period, freshman forward Sarah
Nelson (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Colorado Selects) jammed home the rebound
from a Brittany Lucky shot to give Potsdam a 2-1 advantage. A Castleton
penalty following the goal allowed the Bears to maintain their momentum
through the middle of the period, but they were unable to extend their
lead. Brayman and Salvarinas continued their strong play and the score
remained 2-1 after 40 minutes.

After an early barrage of shots from the Spartans in the third, Potsdam
struck again. At the 3:08 mark, sophomore forward Izzy Fayerman (Calgary,
Alberta/The Edge) fired a shot off Brayman from the right side of the net
for an unassisted goal and a 3-1 lead. Castleton resumed peppering
Salvarinas after the goal, but the junior continued to stonewall the
Spartans. At 5:46, Brittany Lucky beat Brayman five-hole on another shot
from the point to make it 4-1. Junior forward Amanda Lucky (Kanata,
Ontario/Clarkson University) notched the assist on her sister’s goal.
Shortly after the tally, Brayman was replaced by freshman goalie Jess
Cameron (Mount Mellick, Prince Edward Island/Brester Academy). Castleton’s
offense continued to create scoring chances despite trailing by three, but
Salvarinas frustrated them time after time and sealed the 4-1 victory.

Brayman made 20 saves in the first 46:59 and Cameron stopped five shots in
the final 13:01. The Spartans finished 1-5 on the power play, while the
Bears were 0-2.

Potsdam is back in action with a home-and-home series with conference foe
Utica College this weekend. The Bears face the Pioneers at 4 p.m. in Utica
on Saturday and 2 p.m. at Cheel Arena on Sunday.

Buffalo Stars Beginner Hockey Program

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(Cheektowaga, NY) –  The Buffalo Stars will offer a 5 session Beginner Hockey & Learn to Skate Program.  The program will be held at Holiday Twin Rinks January 9, 16, 23, 30 and February 6.

The program is open to boys and girls ages 4-8.  Registrations will be accepted prior to the first session on January 9th. You can also register by visitingwww.buffalostars.com and completing the on line application.

 For more information about the Buffalo Stars visit us on line at:www.buffalostars.com or contact Pete Preteroti at 685-1122.

 

Oswego’s McConney Named SUNY Player of Week

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CORTLAND, N.Y. – Oswego State men’s ice hockey player Jesse McConney (Barrie, Ontario) has been named the SUNY Athletic Conference Men’s Ice Hockey Player of the Week for the week ending January 6, 2013.

The senior defenseman was named the Most Valuable Player of the Pathfinder Bank/Oswego State Hockey Classic after posting six points on three goals and three assists. He scored the first Laker goal against Plymouth State on the power play in the first period, which came 32 seconds after the Panthers scored. McConney added another power-play assist later in the first, as Oswego State won 6-2.

In the championship game versus Lawrence, he posted another power-play goal early in the third period to give the Lakers a 4-2 lead. McConney tallied another goal and an assist before the game was over with a final score of 7-2. On the weekend, he recorded two power-play goals and two power-play assists.

Oswego State (12-3-0), which split action on Friday and Saturday against Elmira and Utica, will host Nazareth on Saturday at 7 p.m.

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Domanski, Holowka earn ECAC West Honors

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POTSDAM, N.Y.—SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey players Kristen Domanski
(Brooklin, Ontario/Barrie Sharks) and Alexandra Holowka (Winnipeg,
Manitoba/Balmoral Hall) have been recognized by the Eastern College
Athletic Conference West for their play during the week ending January 6.
Domanski was named the conference’s Rookie of the Week and Holowka earned
a spot on the league’s Honor Roll.

Domanski scored her first two collegiate goals to help the Bears win the
2013 DoubleTree Ice Hockey Classic in South Burlington last weekend. The
freshman defenseman scored Potsdam’s first goal of the tourney with a
marker just 3:34 into the Bears’ 6-4 opening win over Nichols College. She
then scored the second of her career in the third period of Potsdam’s 4-1
victory over host Saint Michael’s on Saturday. Domanski has played in all
14 games of the Bears’ contests this season and has two goals and two
assists for four points.

Holowka had a four-point weekend for the Bears as they swept the Bison and
Purple Knights in Vermont. Against Nichols, the forward recorded three
assists to help Potsdam to the win. The following afternoon, the sophomore
notched the game-winning goal in the second period of the Bears’ victory
over Saint Michael’s. Holowka has played in all of Potsdam games in
2012-13 and has three goals and four assists for seven points.

The Bears (5-8-1), who have a 3-0-1 mark over their last four contests,
are back in action tomorrow as they host the Castleton State Spartans
(6-3-1) at 7 p.m. in Clarkson’s Cheel Arena.

Purple Eagles Net Highest Ranking Ever

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NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles pocketed their highest ranking in the program’s 17-year history on Monday, pulling down a No. 16 ranking in the USCHO.com Division I Poll.

This is the team’s best position since the 2007-08 season when the Purps earned the 17th spot for two consecutive weeks (Nov. 19 & Nov. 26).  Niagara has been ranked for the prior three weeks, cracking into the poll at the 20th position on Nov. 19 before holding the 18th spot for the last two weeks.

The Purps have gone eight consecutive games without a loss on the scoresheet, and are currently riding a nation-best 11-game unbeaten streak, going 9-0-2 in that span.  The team is a perfect 9-0-0 in Atlantic Hockey Conference action, outscoring their opposition 34-8 to top the nation for the fewest goals allowed during conference play this season.

Niagara has several Purple Eagles who have cracked into the top-10 in several statistical categories.  Giancarlo Iuorio is one of the top offensive threats in the nation, ranked first in goals per game (0.80), and 10th in points per game (1.33).  Mike Benedict has scored a career-high six goals so far this season, including three game-winning tallies which rank him eighth in the nation.

Goaltender Carsen Chubak holds the top spot in the nation in save percentage (.962), goals-against average (1.21) and shutouts (5), while his .821 winning percentage places him third nationally.

Along with the team’s present unbeaten streak, the Purps are ranked in the top-10 in five statistical categories including third in team winning percentage (.767), fourth in combined special teams (57.4), seventh in penalty killing (90.5) and ninth in scoring defense (2.00).

The NCAA Tournament Pairwise Comparison Ratings has NU tied at No. 15 with Harvard and Colgate, while D1Hockey.com lists the Purple Eagles at the No. 14 spot in the country.

Fresh off a weekend sweep of the Sacred Heart Pioneers, the Purps will enter their final home game of the 2012 portion of the schedule with a battle against the RIT Tigers on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 7:05 p.m.

A reminder for those attending, Niagara will be hosting its Teddy Bear Toss during Wednesday’s game, benefiting the Carly’s Club for Kids & Cancer Research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  Fans that bring a new, stuffed animal to the game will receive a discounted ticket, and will be able to toss them onto the ice following the Purple Eagles’ first goal of the game.  There will also be teddy bears for purchase provided by the Beverly Hill Teddy Bear Company.

For ticket information, please call the Niagara Tickets Office (located inside Dwyer Arena) at 716-286-TIXX, visitwww.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets or by emailing [email protected].

 

Bears pull away from Bison, 6-4

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SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT.—The SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team (4-8-1) scored
three third period goals to defeat Nichols College (2-9), 6-4, in the
first round of the DoubleTree Ice Hockey Classic on Friday afternoon.
Junior forward Amanda Lucky (Kanata, Ontario/Clarkson University) scored
two goals, while junior forward Jessica Silveira (Brampton,
Ontario/Brampton Thunder) (1g-2a-3pts), junior assistant captain Jenn
Crawford (Burlington, Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres) (0-3-3), and sophomore
forward Alexandra Holowka (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Balmoral Hall) (0-3-3) each
had three-point nights for the Bears.

Potsdam wasted no time jumping on the Bison. Freshman defenseman Kristen
Domanski (Brooklin, Ontario/Barrie Sharks) scored her first career goal
with assists from Crawford and Silveira just 3:24 into the contest. The
Bears kept the pressure on and doubled their lead at 6:52. Sophomore
forward Emilee Hazelden (Bloomingdale, N.Y./Northwood School) struck to
make it 2-0 on helpers from Holowka and Crawford. Potsdam outshot Nichols
10-8 in the opening period and led 2-0 at the break.

At 4:37 of the second period Samantha Vicari finally solved Bears junior
goaltender Dawna Salvarinas (Mississauga, Ontario/Brampton Thunder) to cut
the gap to 2-1. Grace Murphy knotted the score at two eight minutes later.
At 17:52, Silveira scored her first of the year with an assist from
sophomore forward Izzy Fayerman (Calgary, Alberta/The Edge) to briefly put
Potsdam back in front. Just 29 seconds later Tawny Buelow tied the score
again and the teams entered the second intermission at 3-3.

The Bears finally broke out in the third period, scoring three goals in a
2:28 span. Lucky scored at 8:33 with assists from Fayerman and Silveira.
Less than two minutes later freshman forward Natasha Allen (Aspen,
Colo./Ontario Hockey Academy) buried her first collegiate goal and the
eventual game-winner. Holowka and Crawford recorded the assists. Lucky
then capped her night with her second marker at 11:01 on Holowka’s third
assist. With six and a half minutes remaining, Erin Dice closed the
scoring with a final Bison tally, but it was too little too late.

Salvarinas stopped 28 shots to improve her record to 4-2 on the year.
Nichols goalie Tori Gianformaggio turned aside 30 Potsdam chances.

The Bison were 0-4 on the power play and the Bears finished 0-2 on the man
advantage. The six goals mark Potsdam’s biggest offensive outburst of the
season.

“It wasn’t the most structured game we’ve played,” said Bears Head Coach
Jay Green. “It was more racehorse hockey, up and down. But there was a lot
of intensity and I was pleased with the effort. It was nice to see Amanda
Lucky get on the board and Sarah Nelson (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Colorado
Selects) had some chances and controlled the puck well. Jess Silveira
played quite well in her first game back and especially since she played
on different lines throughout the game. And Dawna Salvarinas was solid for
us when we needed her.”

Oswego Men Take Elmira in 2013 Opener

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ELMIRA, N.Y. – The second-ranked Oswego State men’s ice hockey team (12-2-0) out-shot Elmira (5-9-0), 43-23, en route to a 5-2 victory Friday night in Elmira. The Soaring Eagles pulled to within one midway through the second period, but Nick Rivait’s (So., Kingsville, Ontario) first collegiate goal with just over two minutes remaining gave the Lakers momentum heading into the third.

Paul Rodrigues (Sr., Etobicoke, Ontario) lit the lamp at 6:20 in the first period to put Oswego State on the scoreboard. Luke Moodie (Sr., Oakville, Ontario) picked up the assist for the lone marker of the frame.

Moodie netted his team-leading 12th goal of the season early in the second at 1:49 after cleaning a rebound following a Rodrigues shot. Jon Whitelaw (Sr., Huntsville, Ontario) also earned an assist on the play. Elmira answered back after winning the ensuing faceoff, though, as Carter Shinkaruk found the back of the net to make the score 3-1.

With 11 minutes left in the second, Chris Carr (So., Burlington, Ontario) hit David Titanic (Jr., Markham, Ontario) with a pass to push the Laker lead to two goals. However, the Soaring Eagles responded one again 33 seconds later when Tommy Sumi scored following a series of passes from Tyler Campbell and Liam Burtt.

As Elmira started to gain momentum throughout the course of the period, Nick Rivait picked a great time to score his first collegiate goal at the 17:52 mark with Chris Muise (Sr., Oakville, Ontario) being credited with the assist. Oswego State took a 4-2 lead into the locker room.

The Soaring Eagles came out flying in the third period, but Laker goalie Andrew Hare (Sr., Burlington, Ontario) set the tone right away by turning aside four Elmira shots. However, the home team was called for tripping at 3:44 in the third to jump-start Oswego State, as it did not allow a single Soaring Eagle shot for the duration of the game.

Elmira pulled goalie Darren McDonald with one minute remaining, but Whitelaw clinched the victory with an empty-net goal at 19:39. Rodrigues and Moodie earned assists on the play.

In a cleanly played contest, Oswego State was not called for a single penalty compared to four penalties called on Elmira. The Lakers finished the game 0-for-4 with the extra attacker.

Hare stopped 21 of the 23 shots he faced to earn his 10th win of the season, while Darren McDonald finished with 38 saves in the losing effort.

Potsdam rallies to tie Castleton, 3-3

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RUTLAND, VT.—Junior assistant captain Mike Arnold (Didsbury,
Alberta/Kingston Voyageurs) scored an extra-attacker goal with 36 seconds
remaining to help the SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (5-7-1) a 3-3 tie at
Castleton State (7-5-2) on Friday night. The Bears, who also received
goals from junior forward Adam Place (Scarborough, Ontario/) and senior
captain Matt Viola (Toronto, Ontario/Vaughan Vipers), trailed 3-0 at the
start of the third period.

The Spartans grabbed a 1-0 lead on the power play at 6:39 of the opening
stanza with a marker from Ryan Frost. Castleton outshot the Bears 9-7 and
held the advantage into the intermission.

At 6:20 of the second period, Russ Herzog made the most of a short-handed
opportunity to double the Spartan lead. Eight minutes later, Ben
Shoenberger scored a second power-play goal to give Castleton a
comfortable 3-0 cushion headed into the second break.

Just 2:09 into the final period, Place ignited the comeback with a Potsdam
power-play tally. Junior forward Zach Blake (Campbellford,
Ontario/Plattsburgh State) and freshman forward Billy Pascalli (Deer Park,
N.Y./New York Bobcats) each assisted on the goal. At 7:07, Viola cut the
lead to 3-2 with an even-strength goal on helpers from freshman forward
Mike Riley (Brantford, Ontario/Brantford Golden Bears) and sophomore
forward Trevor Cope (Swartz Creek, Mich./Atlanta Jr. Knights). With ___
left, Bears Head Coach Chris Bernard pulled freshman goaltender Austin
Keiser (Dunwoody, Ga./Boston Bulldogs) for an extra skater. Arnold struck
for the game-tying goal at 19:24.

In overtime, Castleton outshot the Bears 2-0, but Keiser handled both
attempts to seal the draw.

Keiser made 29 saves, while Spartan goalie Thomas Shelley finished with 26
saves. Castleton outshot the Bears 32-29 on the night. The Spartans were
2-10 on the power play and Potsdam finished 1-12.

Canisius Ties Bowling Green

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The Canisius College hockey team took a break from conference play on Saturday afternoon and played to a 2-2 draw with Bowling Green of the CCHA. The Griffs are now 6-8-5 on the season, while the Falcons are 4-10-5.

 

“It was a back-and-forth game where both teams had moments when they dominated,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “I liked our resiliency at times to get the game going our way. We now have another back-and-forth battle on our hands tomorrow and I know we’ll be ready for it and hopefully come out with two points.”

 

Junior Ryan Bohrer (West St. Paul, Minn.) and sophomore Matthew Grazen (East Amherst, N.Y.) each netted a goal for the Griffs.

 

Sophomore Keegan Asmundson (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) recorded 33 saves for the Griffs in his second collegiate start.

 

Miscues for both teams led to early goals on the afternoon. After a Canisius turnover in its own zone, Ben Murphy finished a 2-on-1 with his first goal of the season 7:27 into the contest.

 

The Griffs then evened the match just before time expired in the first period. A Bowling Green turnover led to a loose puck on the blue line and junior Ben Danford (Stillwater, Minn.) blasted a shot toward net. Bohrer then redirected the puck into the net for his second goal of the season.

 

The score remained tied until early in the third frame when Grazen gave the Griffs the advantage. On the forecheck, the junior stole the puck from the Falcon defense and beat the goaltender 1-on-1 for his fourth tally of the season and 2-1 Canisius lead with 18:30 left in the game.

 

Bowling Green would answer back and eventually tied the game at two with 3:57 remaining, connecting on a power play. Ryan Carpenter tipped Bryce Williamson’s shot from the point but Asmundson made the stop. However, Carpenter was there to knock his own rebound in to knot the contest at two.

 

Neither team was able to net the game winner in the final nine minutes of action as the schools finished off the 2-2 draw.

 

Bowling Green finished the afternoon with a 35-31 advantage in shots. Both teams had two power-play chances with the Falcons converting once and killing both Canisius power plays.

 

Andrew Hammond recorded 29 saves in net for the Falcons to earn the tie.

 

The schools wrap up the non-conference series tomorrow afternoon at the Buffalo State Sports Arena. Game time is set for 12:05 p.m.

 

Game Notes: The Griffs are now 4-19-5 all-time against CCHA schools, including a 0-2-1 mark against Bowling Green … Asmundson has allowed three goals in 125 minutes of action in his two starts this season. His first career appearance was also against a CCHA school in a 3-1 win over Alaska on Oct. 13 … The Falcons’ game-tying goal ended a 128:36 scoreless streak for the Griffs in the third period and was just the second third-period goal allowed by Canisius in the last 12 games … The tally was also the first power-play goal allowed by the Griffs in the last seven games … Canisius’ 31 shots were 11 more than it had in the two games combined last season against Bowling Green (20).

Bears down Purple Knights for DoubleTree Classic Title; Komsa named MVP

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SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT.—Four different players scored for the SUNY Potsdam
women’s hockey team (5-8-1) as the Bears downed host Saint Michael’s
(1-10-1) 4-1 to capture the DoubleTree Ice Hockey Classic Title. Potsdam
has now won three straight contests and is 4-1-1 in its last six. Senior
captain Katie Komsa (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont./Sault Ste. Marie AA Midget)
was selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and junior captain
Brittany Lucky (Kanata, Ontario/Ottawa Senators) was named to the
all-tournament team.

Komsa opened the scoring at 6:59 of the first period with an assist from
junior assistant captain Jenn Crawford (Burlington, Ontario/Stony Creek
Sabres). Tight defense allowed just six shots per team in the opening 20
minutes, but Bears senior goaltender Jen Conophy (Glenmont, N.Y./Albany
Ice Cats) kept the Purple Knights at bay and Potsdam took the one-goal
lead into the break.

Just 56 seconds into the second period, sophomore forward Alexandra
Holowka (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Balmoral Hall) gave Potsdam a 2-0 advantage.
Sophomore forward Emily Hazelden (Bloomingdale, N.Y./Northwood School)
assisted on the goal. Potsdam dominated the second period, outshooting the
Purple Knights 13-5, but Saint Mike’s goalie Meaghan Leong kept her team
in the game. Conophy was perfect through 40 minutes.

At the 10:30 mark of the third period, Macey Thomas finally solved Conophy
to get the Purple Knights to within 2-1. However, the Bears answered 1:33
later as freshman defenseman Kristen Domanski (Brooklin, Ontario/Barrie
Sharks) buried her second of the weekend. Freshman forward Sarah Nelson
(Highlands Ranch, Colo./Colorado Selects) and junior forward Jessica
Silveira (Brampton, Ontario/Brampton Thunder) recorded the assists. Just
46 seconds after that, Lucky gave Potsdam all the insurance it would need
and the Bears rolled to the 4-1 win.

Conophy finished with 19 saves to earn her first victory of the season,
while Leong stopped 29 shots. Potsdam outshot the Purple Knights 33-20.
Saint Mike’s was 0-4 on the power play and the Bears went without an
opportunity on the man advantage.

“Our forecheck and execution were much better today,” said Bears Head
Coach Jay Green. “It was just a much better effort by everyone and I’m
very pleased. We’re leaving here with two big wins and are much happier
with our play.”

The Bears are back in action on Tuesday as they host the Castleton State
Spartans at 7 p.m. at Cheel Arena.

Skidmore edges Potsdam, 4-3

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.友or the second day in a row the SUNY Potsdam men痴
hockey team (5-8-1) rallied from a 3-0 deficit. This time however, a
Skidmore College (6-6-2) goal with 1:01 left lifted the Thoroughbreds to a
4-3 win over the Bears. Freshman forward Todd Thomas (Davidsville,
Pa./Hartford Wolfpack) scored twice for Potsdam, while fellow freshmen
forwards Mike Riley (Brantford, Ontario/Brantford Golden Bears) and Matt
Thompson (Anchorage, Alaska/Kenai River Brown Bears) each recorded two
assists.

Skidmore came out strong, firing 18 first period shots on Bears freshman
goalie Austin Keiser (Dunwoody, Ga./Boston Bulldogs), while Potsdam
managed just four. Dave Dupuis put the Thoroughbreds in front 1-0 at the
14:25 mark. Less than three minutes later Brad Schuler doubled the
advantage and Skidmore led 2-0 at the first intermission.

Penalties filled the first half of the second period and Skidmore took
advantage. Jack Even scored an unassisted goal at 11:50 to give the
Thoroughbreds a three-goal lead. Skidmore then took two quick penalties
and the Bears made them pay with a five-on-three power play. Sophomore
forward Ken Simon (Norwell, Mass./Philadelphia Revolution) got Potsdam on
the board at 17:11. Juniors Nick Avgerinos (Bolton, Ontario/Georgetown
Raiders) and Adam Place (Scarborough, Ontario/Bowmanville Eagles) assisted
on the goal. The Bears trailed 3-1 after 40 minutes.

The score remained the same until the 10:26 mark when Thomas exploded for
his two tallies in just 22 seconds to tie the score at 3-3. The game
appeared to be headed for overtime when Schuler notched his second of the
game at 18:59. Potsdam Head Coach Chris Bernard pulled Keiser after the
goal, but the Bears were unable to find the equalizer.

Keiser finished with 35 saves, while Skidmore goalie Ben Freiberg stopped
21 shots for the win. The Thoroughbreds outshot Potsdam 39-34 on the
afternoon. Skidmore was 1-7 on the power play and the Bears were 1-4.

Potsdam is back in action next weekend with two games in Massachusetts.
The Bears battle Western New England in Springfield at 7:15 p.m. on Friday
and Becker in Worcester at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.