POTSDAM, N.Y.-SUNY Fredonia (7-1-1, 4-1 SUNYAC) jumped out a 2-0 first period lead and rode it to a 4-2 victory over the SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (5-5, 1-3) on Bear Pride Night. Freshman defenseman Ethan Clark (Seven Valleys, Pa./New Hampshire Avalanche) and junior forward Tyler Young (Massena, N.Y./Kanata Lasers) each scored for the Bears, while senior assistant captain Nate Skidmore (Syracuse, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres) finished with 30 saves.
The Blue Devils jumped in front for good just 1:59 into the game on a goal from junior forward Ryan Dunn (New England Wolves). At 12:34, junior forward Tyler Riter (West Seneca, N.Y./Burlington Cougars) doubled the lead. Potsdam edged Fredonia 14-13 in shots, but trailed by two at the first intermission.
Clark got the Bears on the board at 1:24 of the second period with an unassisted marker. There was no more scoring in the middle period despite two power plays for the Blue Devils and one for the Bears.
Sophomore forward Colin Valentine (Turnersville, N.J./Hartford Wolfpack) gave Fredonia back its two-goal advantage 5:13 into the third period. After killing a penalty, Potsdam went on its fourth power play of the night at 13:37. Young scored on the man advantage to get the Bears back within 3-2 with 14:42 gone. Junior forwards Bryce Ferrell (Buffalo, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres) and Nate Zweig (Binghamton, N.Y./Syracuse Stars) each assisted on the goal. Potsdam called timeout with 90 seconds left and pulled Skidmore. However, Blue Devils senior forward Luke Rivera (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Hartford Wolfpack), brother of former Bear Jake, iced the game with an empty-net goal 12 seconds later.
Fredonia senior goalie Eric Bogart (London, Ontario/New England Wolves) made 34 saves for the victory. Potsdam outshot the Blue Devils 36-34 and was 1-for-5 on the power play. Fredonia was 0-for-4 on the man advantage.
The Bears look to rebound tomorrow night at 7 p.m. when they host Buffalo State.
