POTSDAM, N.Y.-SUNY Cortland (3-4, 2-3 SUNYAC) scored three second period goals and held on for a 3-2 victory over the SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (2-4-2, 1-4-1) on Saturday night. Senior assistant captain Vinny Caligiuri (Shoreham, N.Y./Hartford Wolfpacks) and freshman Massena native Tyler Young (Massena, N.Y./Kanata Lasers) each scored for the Bears.
Potsdam was on the defensive early, killing off a penalty just 35 seconds into the contest. The Bears killed off a second man advantage at 11:10 and were rewarded with a five-on-three power play immediately after. As the first Red Dragon penalty expired, Caligiuri scored from the slot to make it 1-0. Senior defenseman Jake Butler (Atlanta, Ga./Smith Falls Bears) and junior forward Dylan Vander Esch (San Jose, Calif./Hartford Wolfpack) each assisted on the play. Potsdam outshot the Red Dragons 14-10 in the opening period.
Sophomore forward Mike Crowley (Buffalo, N.Y./Springfield Blues) finished a long breakout play to even the game just 1:41 into the second period. The Bears were whistled for hooking at the end of the play and Cortland grabbed the lead for good with a power-play goal just 12 seconds later. Freshman forward Stefano Alonzi (Maple, Ontario/Burlington Cougars) netted the second goal for the Red Dragons. Just over eight minutes into the period, Vander Esch appeared to tie the game with a wrist shot over Cortland junior goalie Drew Weigman (Annapolis, Md./Northern Cyclones) that grazed the crossbar and rocketed back out, but no one could confirm the puck entered the net. Seven minutes later junior forward Tommy Nolan (Mahopac, N.Y./Connecticut Oilers) knocked home a loose puck at the left side of the crease for the eventual game-winner. At 18:05, Young scored his first collegiate goal off a rebound from freshman Bryce Ferrell’s (East Amherst, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres) shot. Freshman forward Vinny Guimond (Sorel-Tracy, Quebec/Gloucester Rangers) notched the second assist on the play. Potsdam outshot Cortland 17-11 in the middle 20 minutes but still trailed 3-2.
The Bears outplayed and outshot the Red Dragons 13-6 in the third period, but were frustrated by Weigman. Potsdam was unable to convert on the period’s lone power play midway through. The Bears pulled junior goaltender Brendan McMeniman (Merrimac, Mass./Islanders Hockey Club) twice in the final 1:35, but couldn’t get even.
McMenimen stopped 24 shots and Weigman earned the win with 42 saves.
Potsdam outshot Cortland 44-27 in the contest and was 2-for-6 on the power play. The Red Dragons were 1-for-5 on the man advantage.
The Bears host Elmira College on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
