RUTLAND, VT. – The College at Brockport ice hockey team opened up the WSYB/Catamount Radio Invitational winning the first game over Tufts University Friday afternoon, 5-3. The Golden Eagles move to 5-2-1 on the year, where the Jumbos drop to 0-3-1.
The Green and Gold were the first to strike in the opening period as Connor Hutchins tallied a goal on the power play in the 10th minute with the assists coming from Zac Sikich and Chris Pollini. Brockport doubled their lead less than 30 seconds later when Sikich beat the keeper with the assists from Aidan Verbeke and Tim Kielich.
The Golden Eagles stretched their lead to 3-0 early in the second, when Connar Bass blasted a low slap shot that snuck through traffic and the Tufts goaltender into the frame. Brockport suffered their first goal against midway through the period as the Jumbos cut the deficit to 3-1. Ethan Solat for the Green and Gold responded moments later as he one-timed a pass in front of the net from Danny Rock to increase their lead to 4-1. Tufts notched another goal late in the second as the score was set at 4-2 heading into the third.
Brockport opened the new period on the power kill but goalie Matt Schneider stopped both Jumbo shots on the frame. The Golden Eagles found some trouble in the last moments of the match when Tufts pulled their goalie to give them a six-on-five player advantage. With the additional player, the Jumbos were able to find the back of the net to trail by one, 4-3. After the faceoff, Tufts once again brought on an extra skater, but this time Hunter Laslo was able to score an empty net goal to have the final score set at 5-3.
Five different Golden Eagles found the back of the net, as Kielich dished out three assists, and Schneider finished with 30 saves between the pipes.
Brockport will face the winner of the Castleton-King’s College game in the championship of the WSYB/Catamount Radio Invitational Saturday, Nov. 25, at 4 p.m.
