BUFFALO, NY— Mike DeLaVergne (Pawling, NY/Pawling) finished with 40 saves and Buffalo State (11-11-2/7-6-2) exploded for four third-period goals to defeat visiting Brockport (11-11-2/5-8-2), 4-1, in a SUNYAC game tonight at the Ice Arena.
Jason Zaleski (Scranton, PA/Scranton) finished with a goal and two assists, and Brett Hope (Blenheim, ON/Blenheim) and Ryan Salkeld (Virginia Beach, VA/Churchland) had a goal and an assist each. Zach Nieminen (Ajax, ON/Notre Dame CSS) also scored for the Bengals.
The game remained scoreless through 40 minutes, despite Brockport outshooting the Bengals 25-11. The Golden Eagles continued throwing everything on net in the final frame, but Zaleski’s 12th of the season while shorthanded opened the floodgates for the Bengals. Brockport managed to tie the score less than three minutes later, but Buffalo State blew the game open with three goals less than five minutes apart. Hope ripped home his ninth of the season, before Nieminen tipped in his fourth of the year, and Salkeld completed the scoring with his 13th with less than five minutes remaining.
Brockport finished with a 41-18 advantage in shots, but DeLaVergne met the challenge and the Bengals’ defense cleared away rebounds. Buffalo State finished 0 for 2 on the power play and killed off all six shorthanded opportunities.
Buffalo State will close out the regular season tomorrow when it hosts Geneseo at 7 p.m. The Bengals can secure a home playoff game next Wednesday with a victory.
