POTSDAM, N.Y. — The Elmira College men’s ice hockey team snapped a four-game skid and opened its midseason stretch of nine non-conference games with a much-needed victory over SUNY Potsdam by a final score of 6-4 on the road Tuesday night.
Special teams played a crucial role in the win, Elmira’s second of the season, as half of the game’s 10 combined goals were scored either a man up or down. The Soaring Eagles registered one of each variety and were able to hold off a Bears offense that was fueled by a trio of power-play goals.
EC cashed in on the first power play of the game, when Potsdam’s Dylan Vander Esch was sent to the penalty box for hooking at the 7:07 mark of the opening period. Forty-seven seconds later, Matthew Cuce ’20 fired a shot off of the right leg pad of Bears netminder Brendan McMenimen and the rebound bounced directly to Tyler Theodoulou ’18. The junior tallied his third power-play goal of the season on a low angle shot from the left side to put EC ahead, 1-0.
The Bears drew the score even at 1-all midway through the first period, but Theodoulou broke the tie with his second goal early in what turned out to be a wild second period. Mitch Atkins ’19 started a rush and carried the puck across the blue line on the left side of the ice with a pair of Potsdam defenders covering him. Theodoulou, however, crossed the line unaccounted for down the right-wing side, and after receiving the pass from Atkins, had an open look at the net, as McMenimen was unable to slide from post-to-post in time to make a stop.
Penalties began pile up on the Soaring Eagles from there, creating five power-play opportunities for the host Bears in the final two periods. Potsdam freshman Nick Keck netted his first career goal and once again tied the game, this time at 2-2, as he recovered his own rebound and shoveled it inside the far post at 6:54 of the second period. The Bears received another power-play goal inside the final two minutes of the frame, but not before Anthony Parrucci ’20 scored short-handed on a one-on-one breakaway, and the Soaring Eagles held a 4-3 advantage over Potsdam heading into the second intermission.
Elmira rookie Eric Bolden ’20 started the scoring in the third period with the eventual game-winning goal, as just two minutes in, he found a loose puck in front of the cage off of a rebound and shoveled it into the back of the net, giving the Soaring Eagles a 5-3 cushion.
Vander Esch atoned for his first-period infraction by recording an extra-man goal of his own just 12 seconds after Calvin Hughson ’20 was sent to the box for tripping, allowing the Bears to trim the deficit back to one. Potsdam, however, was only able to release three more shots on goal over the following nine minutes, all three of which were saved by EC freshman Parker Butler ’20. With 21 seconds remaining on the clock, Blake O’Neill ’19 fired a bar-down wrister to seal the win for the Soaring Eagles.
Turning Point
While the special teams units on both sides of the ice played a major role in determining the outcome of Tuesday night’s game, so did the performance of Elmira’s rookie goalie, Parker Butler. In his third consecutive start, he posted a season-high 36 saves and surrendered only one even-strength goal to the Bears. His effort was vital, as the Soaring Eagles were outshot 40-to-29 overall and 32-to-16 in the final two periods combined.
In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Aaron Saul ’98 on his team’s performance against the Bears…
“It was a great road win for the team and it was good to see us score some goals.”
Coach Saul on the shorthanded goal scored by Anthony Parrucci…
“It was a great play from Anthony to create the chance and an even better finish.”
Coach Saul on goaltender Parker Butler securing his first victory…
“He made some great saves to keep us in the game. He is gaining confidence with each game. It was good to see him get his first collegiate win tonight.”
Inside the Box Score
The Bears outshot the Soaring Eagles 40-to-29 overall.
EC scored on its only power play of the night and tallied once shorthanded.
Potsdam converted on 3-of-5 power plays.
The Purple and Gold were penalized five times for 10 minutes.
The Bears received only one two-minute minor infraction.
Theodoulou led EC with two goals.
Cuce and Kenny Tencza ’19 also recorded two points with two assists apiece.
O’Neill, Harry Kramer ’20, Parrucci and Bolden each tallied one goal.
Atkins, Hughson, Jonathan Grassie ’19, and Timmy Thurnau ’20 each picked up one assist.
Trevor Dennis, Tommy Telesca, and Keck recorded two-point outings for Potsdam.
Butler made a game-high 36 saves to earn the win for Elmira.
McMenimen made 23 saves and allowed six goals in a losing effort.
News and Notes
Elmira improved to 2-7-0 overall with the victory over Potsdam.
Both of EC’s wins have come on the road so far in 2016-17.
Six goals are the second-most the Soaring Eagles have scored in a game this season.
Theodoulou recorded his second multi-goal game of the season.
Cuce tied his season high with two assists.
Kramer and Parrucci each scored the first goals of their respective careers.
Thurnau earned his first career point with an assist.
Butler made a season-high 36 saves and picked up his first collegiate victory.
Up Next
The Elmira men’s ice hockey team will return home to the Murray Athletic Center to host Nichols College for a two-game series, beginning on Saturday, November 26th, at 7:00 p.m.
