BUFFALO, N.Y.—Nationally No.13-ranked Buffalo State received goals from a pair of freshman and dominated the third period, but it was not enough in tonight’s season opener, as visiting Fredonia skated away with a 4-2 victory.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Fredonia – 4, Buffalo State – 2
LOCATION: Buffalo State Ice Arena – Buffalo, N.Y.
RECORDS: Fredonia (1-1-0/1-0-0), Buffalo State (0-1-0/0-1-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bengals struck first mid-way through the opening period when a point shot by Collin O’Connor (Kankakee, IL/Providence Catholic) slipped through a screen and found its way to the back of the net.
The Blue Devils bounced back just 10 seconds later, capitalizing on a defensive breakdown after a Bengal defender lost his stick, evening the score at 1-1.
Fredonia took its first lead of the game 4:27 into the second period when a rebound bounced off the skate of a Buffalo State player and across the goal line.
This time it was Buffalo State with the quick response as freshman Anthony Passero (Fort Erie, ON/Lakeshore) ripped a shot into the top of the net just 59 seconds later to even the score.
Fredonia pulled ahead for good, however, with a power-play marker with four minutes remaining in the middle frame.
The Bengals dominated the final stanza, but could not convert on 17 shots and three man-advantage opportunities, and Fredonia added a late power-play empty-netter to seal the victory.
Buffalo State finished the game with a 39-30 advantage in shots.
Mike DeLaVergne (Pawling, NY/Pawling) made 26 saves for the Bengals, and
Brody Power (Toronto, ON/Upper Canada College), Zach Remers (Clarence, NY/Canisius) and Latrell Charleson (Surrey, BC/Delview) each picked up assists in the loss.
The Bengals finished 0 for 6 on the power play.
FOR THE FOES
Tommy DeFelice had a goal and an assist, and Oskar Gerhardson, Samuel Wilbur, and Todd Schauss also scored for Fredonia.
Eric Bogart made 37 stops for the win.
Fredonia was 2 for 5 on the power play.
NOTEWORTHY
The victory earns Fredonia another point in the season-long Battle by the Lake competition between the two schools. The Blue Devils currently lead, 9-2.
UP NEXT
The Bengals and Blue Devils will clash again tomorrow night in Fredonia at 7 p.m.
