POTSDAM, N.Y.-As they were two weeks ago, SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey players Jon Hall (Dexter, N.Y./Stouffville Spirit) and Dylan Vander Esch (San Jose, Calif./Hartford Wolfpack) have been honored by the State University of New York Athletic conference for their play last weekend. Hall claimed his fourth Goalie of the Week award, while Vander Esch was named Rookie of the Week for the second time in his career.
On Friday, Hall recorded one of the best performances by a Bears goalie ever, stopping all 53 shots he faced in Potsdam’s 1-0 victory over Geneseo. It was his first career shutout and the Bears’ first in just over four years. The following night, Hall made 42 saves as Potsdam rallied in the final minute for a 3-3 tie with Brockport. In total, the junior finished the weekend with 95 saves on 98 shots for a .969 save percentage and 1.44 goals-against-average in the two games. This season, Hall is a career-best 7-6-2 with a .918 save percentage and a 3.06 goals-against-average in 15 starts.
Vander Esch had two goals and an assist against Geneseo and Brockport. The freshman forward scored the only goal in the Bears’ victory over the Ice Knights on Friday. He then scored the game-tying goal with 42 seconds left in regulation in the tie with the Golden Eagles on Saturday. He also recorded an assist in the game. He now has a team-leading seven goals along with one assist for eight points in 16 games this season. Six of those points (5g-1a) have come in his last four games.
The Bears, currently tied for the final playoff spot in the SUNYAC standings, begin a six-game road trip on Friday, at Fredonia at 7 p.m.
