POTSDAM, N.Y.—Sophomore forward Ryan Kangas (Williamstown, Mass./Hartford Wolfpack) scored the two decisive goals as the College at Brockport (11-10-4, 6-6-4 SUNYAC) edged the SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (11-10-4, 7-7-2) 3-1 on Saturday night. Senior forward Jake Rivera (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Hartford Wolfpack) scored the lone goal for the Bears.
The Golden Eagles jumped on Potsdam early. At the 1:29 mark, sophomore forward Dylan Shapiro (Rochester, N.Y./Rochester Jr. Americans) one-timed a pass from freshman forward Tim Kielich (East Aurora, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres) to give Brockport a 1-0 lead. The rest of the period was an even battle. Potsdam got even at 11:03. Rivera ripped a pass from senior forward Billy Pascalli (Deer Park, N.Y./New York Bobcats) over the glove of Golden Eagle freshman goalie Cole Burack (Rockwall, Texas/New Hampshire Monarchs). The score was unchanged at the break.
The contest became more physical in in the second period. The Bears successfully killed off two penalties and Brockport killed one. Midway through the period, Kangas picked up a pass in the neutral zone, skated in and scored with a wrist shot. Potsdam outshot Brockport 13-9 in the period, but trailed 2-1 after 40 minutes.
The third period was especially gut-wrenching for Potsdam. The Bears again outshot the Golden Eagles (11-7), but couldn’t crack Burack. With 13:45 remaining, Potsdam junior forward Alex Goodhue (Traverse City, Mich./Atlanta Jr. Hawks) hit Brockport’s right post. Nearly six minutes later Kangas added insurance for the Golden Eagles. At 7:54, senior defenseman Jonathan Demme (Brampton, Ontario/Orangeville Flyers) fired a shot from the right point and Kangas tipped it down into the net. On the power play with 1:38 on the clock, Burack robbed Rivera with a diving save at the right side. The Bears called timeout after the play and pulled McMenimen for an extra attacker. However, Brockport held on for the 3-1 win.
McMenimen finished with 21 saves and Burack stopped 32 shots. Both teams were 0-for-3 on the power play.
After the game seniors Rivera, Pascalli, Matt Thompson (Anchorage, Alaska/Kenai River Brown Bears), captain Todd Thomas (Davidsville, Pa./Hartford Wolfpack) and assistant captain Brad Campagna (Monroe, Pa./New York Bobcats) were honored on Senior Night.
With the loss, Potsdam slips into the sixth playoff spot and will make the trip to SUNY Geneseo on Wednesday. Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Bears are 3-4-1 against the Ice Knights all-time in postseason play.
