POTSDAM, NY- The Utica College men’s hockey team fell to host SUNY Potsdam, 2-1, in non-conference action Saturday evening.
The Pioneers fall to 8-6-2 on the year and they have now lost three straight games to SUNYAC opponents. Utica looks to get back on track next weekend as it returns to ECAC West Conference play at home against Neumann University. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
After a scoreless first period, sophomore Riley Egan (Lakewood, OH/Philadelphia (EHL)) opened the scoring with his first career goal at 13:07 of the second period to put UC up 1-0. Freshman Justin Derlago (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Selkirk (MJHL)) assisted on the play. Potsdam was able to net the equalizer in the final ticks of the second stanza as Todd Thomas scored a power play tally. Kyle Thack and Dylan Vander Esch assisted on Thomas’ seventh of the year.
The Bears scored the eventual game-winner just 1:50 into the final frame as Jake Rivera found the back of the net off assists from Thomas and Matt Thompson. Rivera’s seventh goal of the year led Potsdam to its ninth win of the year.
Freshman Michael Fredrick (Lethbridge, Alberta/Brooks Bandits (AJHL)) made 36 saves in net for UC, just one shy of his career-high. This also marks the eighth time this season where he has recorded 30 or more saves in a game. Potsdam’s Brendan McMenimen stopped 21 shots in the win.
The Bears were 1-for-5 on the power play, while UC was held scoreless on its one opportunity with the man advantage.
