POTSDAM, N.Y.-SUNY Geneseo (15-4-2, 9-2-4 SUNYAC) scored twice in the final 3:05 to down the SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (11-9-4, 7-6-2) 2-0 in a hotly contested SUNYAC game on Friday night. Ice Knights senior forward AJ Sgaraglio (Hicksville, N.Y./New York Bobcats) and freshman forward Anthony Marra (Guelph, Ontario/Georgetown Raiders) scored the game’s only goals.
Potsdam and the Ice Knights battled evenly in a clean and fast paced opening period. Shots were even at 10-10 with a couple strong scoring opportunities each. However, Bears sophomore goalie Brendan McMenimen (Merrimack, Mass./Islanders Hockey Club) and his counterpart, Geneseo freshman Devin McDonald (Calgary, Alberta/Camrose Kodiaks), were each sharp to keep the contest scoreless after 20 minutes.
The momentum shifted each way during the middle stanza, but the end result was the same as the first period. The Ice Knights and Bears each went 0-for-2 on the man advantage. Both teams had close calls, but couldn’t solve the opposing goaltenders. Midway through the period, Geneseo junior forward Stephen Collins (Pittsford, N.Y./Youngstown Phantoms) rang the post with a shot from the slot. The back-and-forth play continued into the final seconds. McDonald robbed Potsdam junior defenseman Nick Casacci (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Connecticut Oilers) point blank with 2.3 seconds on the clock. The Ice Knights were whistled for a hit-from-behind on the same play and the Bears started the third period on the power play.
Geneseo killed off its penalty to open the final 20 minutes. The rest of the period was wild, wide open action. At about 7:45, Marra was robbed by McMenimen. Moments later Bears junior forward Alex Goodhue (Traverse City, Mich./Atlanta Jr. Knights) hit the right post. At 5:35, Geneseo senior defenseman Nate Brown (Bethel Park, Pa./Bay State Breakers) fired a shot of Potsdam’s left post. Senior forward David Ripple (Winter Springs, Fla./Coulee Reg. Chill) was then frustrated by McMenimen as the goalie slid across the crease to grab his rebound. Just 20 seconds later, the Ice Knights hit the post again, this time by junior defenseman Cam Hampson (Naples, Fla./New Jersey Hitmen). The near misses foreshadowed what was to come. With just over three minutes remaining, Hampson started a break out with with a pass to senior forward Rich Donnelly at the blue line. He then hit Sgaraglio with a short pass in the neutral zone. Sgaraglio carried the puck the rest of the way and beat McMenimen stick side with a backhander. Just 1:11 later, Marra tipped a shot from the point past McMenimen to make it a 2-0 contest. Potsdam pulled McMenimen twice in the final 1:39, but couldn’t close the gap.
McMenimen finished with 28 saves, while McDonald turned aside all 36 shots to record his second career shutout. Geneseo was 0-for-2 on the power play and the Bears were 0-for-4.
The contest was Autism Awareness night and Potsdam wore special jerseys that were auctioned off after the game. The proceeds will be given to the Autism Speaks organization.
The Bears are still a point ahead of fifth place Oswego and two points ahead of sixth place Brockport. They still control their own destiny for a home playoff game. A win or a tie over the Golden Eagles tomorrow night will clinch a home playoff game on Wednesday. A loss to Brockport could see the Bears fall to fifth or sixth place and a first round road trip.
Faceoff with the Golden Eagles is scheduled for 7 p.m.
