POTSDAM, N.Y.—Nazareth College (7-5-2) rallied from an early deficit to defeat the SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (7-5-2) 5-3 on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore forward Tyler Young (Massena, N.Y./Kanata Lasers), freshman forward Paul Michura (Chester, N.J./New Jersey Rockets) and junior forward Ben Mariano (Harrisburg, Pa./Hartford Wolfpack) each scored for the Bears. Junior forward David Powlowski (Rochester, N.Y./Wentachee Wild) scored twice for the Golden Flyers.
Young put Potsdam in front 1-0 with a power-play goal at the 5:55 mark of the opening period with assists from senior assistant captain Sean Kacerosky (Kendall Park, N.J./New York Bobcats) and freshman defenseman Joseph Richardson (Palm Beach, Fla./PAL Islanders). Powlowski and Nazareth answered just 20 seconds later to knot the score. The Golden Flyers jumped on top 2-1 on the man advantage at 16:02 with a goal from senior defenseman Matt Manzella (Hopkinton, Mass./Boston Jr. Bruins). Again, the momentum was short lived as sophomore forward Bryce Ferrell (Buffalo, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres) set up Michura 10 seconds later, right off the faceoff to tie the score. The score was unchanged at the first intermission despite an impressive 20-7 Potsdam advantage in shots.
Powlowski gave Nazareth the lead for good just 3:49 into the second period with an even-strength marker. At the 6:29 mark, senior forward John Power (Vernon Hills, Ill./Brockville Braves) scored the eventual game-winner on the power play. Freshman forward Jacob Juron (Latham, N.Y./South Shore Kings) fed Mariano in front of the net at 13:17 get the Bears back within 4-3. The final five minutes of the period saw four penalties called, but the score remained the same.
Potsdam dominated the third period as well, outshooting the Golden Flyers 20-6, but were frustrated by freshman goalie Sean Kuhn (Glens Falls, N.Y./Boston Jr. Rangers). Kuhn slammed the door on the Bears in his first career start. The lone goal came on penalty shot by Nazareth junior forward Austin Romzek (Shelby Township, Mich./Keaston Ice Miners) at 8:33.
Potsdam senior goalie Brendan McMenimen (Merrimack, Mass./Islanders Hockey Club) finished with 24 saves. Kuhn turned aside 56 shots.
The Bears outshot the Golden Flyers 59-29 and were 1-for-8 on the power play. Nazareth finished 2-for-5 on the man advantage.
Next, Potsdam heads to Castleton University for a 7 p.m. contest with the Spartans on Tuesday.
