Tuesday, November 12, 2013

STYLUS RECAP OF NORTH COUNTRY WEEKEND

The Stylus (courtesy of Brandon Wood) reports on last weekend's games...



A win against SUNY Potsdam and a loss to No. 1 SUNY Plattsburgh is how the first weekend of SUNYAC play went for the College at Brockport’s ice hockey team. Brockport headed north to play on the road, and won 6-3 in Potsdam Friday, Nov. 8, but was shut out 6-0 by Plattsburgh the following night.

Captain Matt DeLuca, who recorded an assist against Potsdam, said he thought his team was “dominant” in its first win of the season.

“We won the game we were supposed to win against Potsdam,” DeLuca said. “We dominated. It felt good to get the first win under our belt.”

The Golden Eagles (1-3 overall, 1-1 SUNYAC) trailed following the first period in Potsdam 2-1, but received solid goaltending from junior Aaron Green in the second period that allowed them to get back into the game. Green made 14-of-14 saves in the second period and 30 total saves in the game. Green currently ranks sixth in goals against average and save percentage out of all SUNYAC goalies in SUNYAC play.

Brockport had the lead heading into the third period after goals from sophomore James Ryan and freshman Jake Taylor.

Brockport killed off a penalty heading into the third period, and proceeded to tack on additional goals. Taylor scored his second goal of the game four minutes into the period on the power play, and sophomore Shane Cavalieri added another  minutes later to make the score 5-2 in favor of the Golden Eagles. Potsdam’s power play added another goal for the Bears, but a late goal by junior Troy Polino ended the scoring for the game.

DeLuca
said he felt his team played solid defensively throughout the weekend, most noticeably in the shot-blocking department.

“Our defense played pretty well, we were blocking shots well,” DeLuca said. “Guys were diving in front of shots trying to block it. From a team defensive standpoint, we played really well.”

The Golden Eagles found themselves beaten in all facets of the following night’s game against Plattsburgh, the team picked to win the SUNYAC in the preseason conference poll.


The Cardinals put 44 shots on net against sophomore goalie Jared Lockhurst, who was named to the SUNYAC All-Rookie squad after last season.

After one goal in the first period, the Cardinals scored two more in the second and three in the final period of the game to put the final score at 6-0. 

Brockport’s offense attempted 31 total shots on net, but was stifled by reigning first-team All-SUNYAC goalie Mathieu Cadieux, who posted his second shutout of the season.


“Obviously Cadieux is a good goalie, we’ve been seeing him now,” DeLuca said. “We tried to get shots down low and create rebounds. If we would have cracked one in on him, the floodgates would’ve opened and the game might have been a different story.”


DeLuca
said that while Plattsburgh is probably the best team Brockport is going to play this season, he didn’t think the Cardinals should’ve won by as many goals as they did.


“Plattsburgh is the best team we play all year,” DeLuca said. “They aren’t six goals better than us though. We could’ve played better and the score should’ve been closer.”


DeLuca
has said many times that his team will be learning lessons as it continues through its season, and this weekend was no different.


“We learned that it’s time that we start to realize when we go into any arena we need to take care of business and win games we are supposed to win,” DeLuca said. “In that same press, we have to find that extra gear inside us and find a way to beat the Plattsburgh and Oswego type of teams.”


Brockport takes a break from the SUNYAC grind this coming weekend, as it will have its non-conference home opener Friday, Nov. 15, against Elmira College. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Tuttle North Ice Arena.


The Golden Eagles also have a game Saturday, Nov. 16, as they take to the road against the No. 8 seed Hobart College Statesmen at 4 p.m.




Source: http://www.thestylus.net/sports/hockey-ices-bears-in-sunyac-1.3117223#.UoJWEeKrGFg