POTSDAM, N.Y.-Twice the SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (9-5-3) grabbed one-goal leads and twice SUNY Canton (3-12-3) answered as the two teams settled for a 2-2 tie on Friday night at the Roo House. Junior forward Tommy Telesca (Selden, N.Y./New York Bobcats) and freshman forward Mike Sweeney (Pittsburgh, Pa./PAL Islanders) each scored for the Bears. Freshman goalie Nate Skidmore (Syracuse, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres) finished with 24 saves.
Potsdam’s defense was stifling in the first period, allowing just six shots on goal, while the offense fired 12 at Josh Erickson. Despite the advantage, the Bears managed just one goal at the 13:06 mark. Telesca put Potsdam in front with assists from sophomore forward Joey Gilhooly (Brooklyn, N.Y./New York Bobcats) and senior captain Brad Campagna (Monroe, N.Y./New York Bobcats). The score remained 1-0 after one period.
The shots were closer at 9-6 in the middle stanza and both Skidmore and Erickson handled each attempt. The Bears killed off the Roos’ lone power play with just 38 seconds left in the period.
Thomas Crabtree finally got Canton on the board just 50 seconds into the third period. The first tie lasted 10:09 before Sweeney gave Potsdam the lead back with his first collegiate goal. Sophomore forward Dylan Vander Esch (San Jose, Calif./Hartford Wolfpack) and junior forward Logan Brown (North Woodstock, N.H./Boston Rangers) each assisted on the tally. The Bears’ momentum was very short lived as Josh Sova tied the game for good just 1:08 later.
Potsdam outshot the Roos 4-3 in overtime, but couldn’t net the game-winner.
Erickson turned aside 31 shots on the night. Both teams were 0-for-1 on the power play.
Canton invades Maxcy Ice Arena tomorrow night to complete the home-and-home series at 7 p.m.
