ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Senior Oliver Janzen scored the game-winning goal 59 seconds into overtime Friday to lift host Nazareth to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Neumann in men’s hockey action. The victory, at the Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex, enabled Nazareth to move into a tie for first place in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference standings with a 5-2 conference record.
The Golden Flyers are 6-5 overall. The win was Nazareth’s first in overtime since Jan. 2, 2015 when they defeated St. Scholastica 4-3 at the Oswego Tournament. Utica also is 5-2 in conference play following a 2-1 overtime win over Stevenson. The Golden Flyers close out their first-semester schedule with a home game against Stevenson Saturday at 4 p.m. Neumann (4-4-1 overall, 4-2-1 UCHC) travels to Utica Saturday.
The game was tied after 60 minutes, then Neumann was whistled for a tripping penalty and Nazareth pulled goalie Michael Tilford in favor of an extra skater. Brian Miller carried the puck into the Neumann zone where a shot from Cody Antonini was redirected into the goal by Janzen for his team-leading seventh goal of the season.
“It was a heads-up play by Cody,” said Nazareth Coach George Roll. “He showed excellent patience in waiting for Oliver to get his stick on the ice to redirect the shot. I don’t think we’ve won in overtime in a while, so this is a nice momentum boost heading into tomorrow.”
Power plays were abundant early in the game, but both teams were 0-2 during man advantages through the first 20 minutes. Neumann scored twice, though, from close range, including a goal by Jake Davidson that hit off the crossbar and bounced in with 12 seconds left in the first period to give the Knights a 2-0 lead into the second frame.
Nazareth evened the score with a pair of late second-period scores. Sophomore Zander Pryor scored his second goal of the season at 14:35 with assists from Mateo Capriotti and Janzen. Then, with just :26 left in the period, freshman Ray Falso carried the puck down the right wing and flipped a pass towards the goal, which Brian Miller backhanded in to tie the game at 2-2.
Seven minutes into the third period, Capriotti had an opportunity to give Nazareth the lead after a Neumann turnover in front of the goal, but Pupplo made the save from point-blank range. Later in the period, a shot by Pryor caromed off the crossbar. Neumann had third-period chances as well, but each team killed off two power play chances. Tilford stood tall in goal for Nazareth by making 29 saves for his sixth win of the season. Pupplo finished with 32 saves for the Knights.
