BUFFALO, N.Y.—Freshman Roberts Smits (Riga, Latvia) had a goal and an assist as nationally-ranked No. 13/14 and fourth-seeded Buffalo State prevailed 2-1 over visiting fifth-seeded Fredonia in a SUNYAC Quarterfinal game tonight at the Ice Arena.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: #13/14 Buffalo State – 2, Fredonia – 1
LOCATION: Ice Arena – Buffalo, N.Y.
RECORDS: Buffalo State (18-7-1), Fredonia (13-11-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless first period, Smits opened the scoring with his fifth of the season on the power play, ripping a faceoff win by Anthony Passero (Fort Erie, ON/Lakeshore) into the top corner.
The Blue Devils evened the score before the second intermission, however, when a low shot slid off the right post and into the back of the net.
Another freshman reclaimed the lead for Buffalo State early in the third period when Collin O’Connor (Kankakee, IL/Providence Catholic) fired a blast from the point that found its way through the Fredonia netminder. Brody Power (Toronto, ON/Upper Canada College) and Smits collected the assists.
The Bengals surrendered just seven third period shots as Mike DeLaVergne (Pawling, NY/Pawling) was able to close the door and preserve the victory.
DeLaVergne finished with 18 saves in the win as Buffalo State held a 29-19 advantage in shots on goal for the game.
The Bengals finished 1 for 5 on the power play, while Fredonia was just 0 for 2.
FOR THE FOES
Mac McAvoy’s unassisted goal provided all of Fredonia’s offense.
Eric Bogart was strong in goal turning aside 27 of the 29 shots he faced.
NOTEWORTHY
Buffalo State will play in the SUNYAC semifinals for the sixth-consecutive time. The Bengals have never advanced to the title game.
UP NEXT
Buffalo State will advance to the semifinals at top-seeded Oswego on Saturday at 7 p.m. No. 3 Geneseo, who defeated No. 6 Brockport tonight, 7-0, will play in the other semifinal at No. 2 Plattsburgh also on Saturday. The winners will face off in the title game on Saturday, March 4 at the highest remaining seed.
