Thursday, December 13, 2018

Curry commits to Brockport



The Boston Jr. Rangers are pleased to announce that Aiden Curry has committed to SUNY Brockport for the fall of 2019. Curry is in his first season in the EHL and with the Rangers, and he owns a record of 8-2-0 through his first 10 starts with a 2.13 GAA and .930 save percentage.

"We are very happy for Aiden on his commitment to Brockport,” said EHL head coach and general manager Rich DeCaprio, “Aiden has been great for us, and earning a spot on the league's All-Star Team proves that. He works really hard both on and off the ice, and he will have a great NCAA career."

As DeCaprio mentioned, Curry's performance so far this season earned the native of Michigan a spot on the EHL All-Star Team. When you combine that experience with all exposure that Curry has received to date, the '98 netminder is very grateful for his time with the Rangers.

"I've enjoyed my time here with the Rangers, ever since joining the team in September," said Curry. "Coach DeCaprio pushes us to get better every day, and without him and the rest of the coaching staff, I would not be where I am today. I am excited to be joining SUNY Brockport in the fall of 2019. I really enjoyed my visit there, as it truly felt like the best fit for me. I would like to thank Coach DeCaprio for helping me reach my goal of playing college hockey. I would like to thank my teammates, as without them, none of this would have been possible. I would also like to thank my family for all of their support over the years. I am very excited about my future at SUNY Brockport."

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

SUNYAC midseason standings


Youth clinics at Tuttle North

The Golden Eagles have been hosting youth clinics this season with Tri-County Youth Hockey program. Assistant Coach Chris Luker and Brockport hockey players have been working with the kids, and giving back to the community.


Anna Maria highlights

If you missed Saturday's game or want to relive the critical moments, Talon Television posted this highlight video...

Glad to support the team

There's a familiar name and logo on the boards now at Tuttle North Ice Arena! We're glad to support the team!


Monday, December 10, 2018

The fire helmet for 12/8

Ethan Solat got the fire helmet for his big 2-goal game on Saturday!



The 2018-2019 midseason report




We’re at the halfway point of the 2018-2019 season, one that has proven to be quite entertaining and one that has exceeded expectations.

Heading into the season with 9 freshman it looked to many folks as a sort of rebuilding year. Getting to the playoffs, let alone 10 wins, looked questionable at best, a sort of pipe dream.

I was a little more optimistic, having witnessed a similar makeover in 2008-2009 when my all-time favorite Golden Eagle squad become a playoff contender in a year when everyone had the program written off. Here we are, a decade later, and we’re seeing that same sort of surprise.

The Golden Eagles head into the winter break at 8-4-1, a spectacular record.

They’ve gotten there thanks to a great defense, something I counted as their strength in the season preview. Little did I know they would exceeded even my lofty expectations!

Brockport’s all-time best defensive unit allowed 3.04 goals per game in the 2014-2015 season. My beloved 2008-2009 team comes in at second with 3.30 goals allowed per contest. This year’s team has annihilated those numbers.

Brockport has the 6th best scoring defense in the entire country, allowing only 1.77 goals per game. Amazing, truly amazing!

The team works hard at minimizing quality opportunities for opponents, the blue liners have committed themselves to conservative turnover-free play, the forwards have sacrificed themselves with a physical and excellent backcheck, and the team has been blessed with great goaltending by Jake Moore.

For old-time hockey purists, that’s exciting to watch.

But, it’s a tale of two teams.

Offensively, the team isn’t producing.  

That was to be expected – the team lost 39 goals to graduation. That’s a tough loss to make up.

In the season preview, I mentioned it would take some time for the lines to gel and the freshmen to learn the nuances of the NCAA. We aren’t there yet.

The Golden Eagles rank 52nd out of 83 teams in DIII, scoring just 2.69 goals per game. You cannot win in DIII scoring less than 3 goals per game, no matter how many goals you prevent.

The talent is there to find a half goal to a goal per game in the second half. It’s just that the little things need to be capitalized on.

That was none more evident than in the Cortland game. Brockport should have won because, one, defensively they were stifling good opportunities, two, it was a home game, and, three, it was a special home game (law enforcement night). But, the team just couldn’t score. It wasn’t for a lack of initial effort, though (the team was peppering the Cortland all game). It was the lack of secondary effort. Seven times the Cortland goalie left on the ice really, really bad rebounds which could have been buried by Brockport but every time it seemed like Brockport’s advancing players would stop after the initial shot, thinking  the play was done. Had they finished the play and kept moving forward with intent of getting to the net they could have scored a goal or two to win a much-needed SUNYAC affair.

That sort of play comes with time and experience. The Juniors are a little more wide open than what you see in DIII, where there is a substantial amount of activity between the face-off circles and the crease. Guys need to finish and get the dirty, gritty, lunchbucket goals, like those often scored by Doc Gentzler and Danny Rock.  

The talent is there, the team just needs to finish every single assault on the net. 

Speaking of talent, let’s look at some individual performances from the first half.

Most Valuable Player: Without a doubt, the MVP award goes to goalie Jake Moore. The senior has been playing at a high level -- he’s made saves that require pure athleticism and he’s done the things that require pure mechanics and attention to detail. One thing that I really like is his positioning – he looks 6’8” in the net because of that. He’s eighth in the nation with a .938 save percentage and he’s also eighth with a 1.59 goals against average. He’s already tied Todd Sheridan’s single season shutout record (3) and he still has 12 games to go. His season is one for the ages. Savor the excellence of his play.

Most Valuable Freshman: If the marketing people in Brockport Athletics need a face of hockey to promote the team for the next few years, look no further than Mitchell Parsons. With his boyish charm and lightning fast style of play, he’s an asset to the team. He’s the guy who can put fans in the stands. He’s incredibly fast and can fill voids and cover space with a real sense of urgency -- whereas most high-speed guys work in fits and starts, he’s a dynamo and he doesn’t stop. He’s got hustle. Twice already he was awarded SUNYAC Rookie of the Week honors and it’s only a matter of time before it happens again. He’s a guy who can score more than a dozen goals a season in DIII and looks like he has a few hat tricks up his sleeves.

Most Valuable Sophomore: Ryan Romeo heads into the break with an impressive 1-9-10 line. He’s on pace for a 20-point season. Darn good numbers for a forward. But, realize, Ryan is a blueliner. Those are great numbers for a defenseman! He hasn’t forsaken good defense for good offense, either, as he’s been playing mistake-free hockey. The young man can cover a lot of territory and he has excellent conditioning. He’s All-SUNYAC material, for sure.

Most Valuable Junior: The advance billing on co-captain Connor Hutchins was that this would be his season. Not only would he have to lead the team on and off the ice, he’d have to lead them in the box scores. He’s done just that. The team has obviously exceeded expectations, something possible only through effort and chemistry and he’s made sure the team has plenty of both. On top of that, his 2-9-11 line has him leading the team in scoring. His goals may be down, but that’s an outcome of bad luck – he’s had great chances but he’s been stymied by some truly brilliant saves. Here’s my crazy mid-season prediction: He will explode for 8 goals in the second half.   

Most Valuable Senior: Jake Moore. ‘Nuff said.      

I’ve been really excited about this season, before it, and through every game of it. This is a special year. A young team with great talent, chemistry, and leadership is doing great things and they are primed to be even better. Brockport Hockey is in great hands this season and well into the future.

I encourage the campus community to get to as many games as they can in the next semester. Miss a game and you’ll miss something truly exceptional. The defensive results and overall team talent – and hunger – could pay off with a decent hot streak in the second semester once the new guys get more acclimated to the game. They’ve been winning, now’s the time to win more convincingly and at a greater pace.   

These Golden Eagles remind me so much of that hardworking underdog 10 years ago…a team that hosted – and won – a playoff game at Tuttle North.

I’d love to see that again this year.

I think we will.  

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Brockport wins big on Senior Night



The College at Brockport ice hockey team got back to their winning ways Saturday afternoon, defeating Anna Maria College, by a score of 4-0. With the win, the Golden Eagles improve to 8-4-1 overall, while the Amcats fall to 3-7-3.

Prior to the game, the Golden Eagles honored their three seniors, Bryan Carville, Jake Moore, and Connar Bass.

The Golden Eagles came out hungry for two points in their 13th game of the season. The Green and Gold had a handful of powerplay opportunities early in the first, including a five on three chance but the Amcats PK unit stood tall. Brockport took the one-goal lead late in the first as Jordan Renaud buried his 4th goal of the year with assists to Corey Tam and Ethan Solat.

Brockport got off to a quick start in the second period as Shane Visnick scored the Golden Eagles second goal of the game four minutes in with assists from Jake Colosanti and Robby Flannery. The physicality picked up as the period winded down, both teams seeing their fair share of the penalty box. Brockport held a two-goal lead heading into the intermission.

The Green and Gold wasted little time in the third period as Ethan Solat scored his fourth of the year on the PP, Solat found a rebound off Corey Tam's shot from the point and buried to extend the lead to three. Three minutes later Ethan Solat was at it again, scoring his fifth of the season and second of the game with the assist coming from his twin brother Jeremy Solat. Jake Moore posted his third shutout of the season on 16 shots which ties him for the most shutouts by a Brockport netminder in a single season.

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Senior Night: Jake Moore


#2 Geneseo trounces Brockport

The College at Brockport ice hockey team fell to No. 2 SUNY Geneseo Friday night, by a score of 4-0. With the loss, the Golden Eagles move to (7-4-1) overall and (2-4-1) in conference, while the Knights move to (12-1-1) and (7-1-1) in the SUNYAC.

The Knights came out flying on home ice, peppering Brockport's goalkeeper Jake Moore early on. The Golden Eagles responded quickly asserting their physicality while putting pressure on the opposition's netminder. The Knights scored the first goal of the game with a little under two minutes remaining in the first period. Brockport was outshot in the first period 10-9.

The Knights scored their second goal of the game halfway through the second period on the power play after a hooking call was made on Corey Tam. The Knights extended their lead two minutes later, pulling ahead, 3-0. Brockport had seven shots on the period.

The Golden Eagles played a solid third period, outshooting the Knights 12-10. Geneseo did find a way to extend their lead eight minutes into the period, bringing their total to four goals. Brockport went to the power play twice in the third but Geneseo's PK unit played tough.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Hamilton highlights

Talon Television's Emily Astacio posted this highlight video of the game with Hamilton from a few weeks back. The best part: This version gives you the chance to see and hear again how dramatically close to the 2nd period buzzer Jordan Renaud's goal was. Wild!:

A successful Movember

At the end of October, the hockey team was a bunch of fresh-faced young men. Over the course of November they developed hirsute jawlines and mustaches in support of men's health through a Movember campaign. By sprouting those hairs they raised $1,093 for charity. Great job!

Monday, December 3, 2018

Recap of Oswego game

Here's the Oswegonian's recap of Friday's game with Oswego. The teddy bear toss was the only thing cute about the game -- otherwise it was a very physical and verbally aggressive affair:

https://www.oswegonian.com/2018/12/01/no-6-8-oswego-state-wins-physical-penalty-filled-contest-prepares-for-tough-no-2-2-suny-geneseo-team/

Brockport to play Geneseo and Anna Maria


Coming off of a tough weekend that saw Brockport drop two conference games, including a very hard-fought home affair with Cortland on Saturday, Brockport is heading into their last weekend of play for the fall semester.

To gain some ground in the SUNYAC, Brockport will have to beat our greatest rival, Geneseo -- at Geneseo – on Friday. That’s always a tough thing to do, but this year it’s especially the case.

Geneseo is the odds-on favorite to get to the DIII championship game…they have the talent, chemistry, and drive to do just that. Their rosters is stacked. The 11-1-1 Ice Knights are riding an 8 game unbeaten streak and they look like a team that could carry that well into January. Defensively, they are the best team in the country, allowing just .92 goals per game. Offensively, they are third at 5.23 goals scored per game. Those are crazy numbers.

Likewise, their individual players are putting up crazy numbers. They have four players in the Top 40 in points, with Conlan Keenan leading the entire country with 2.27 points per game, thanks to a 10-15-25 line. A special talent is Duggie Lagrone, a blueliner who has a 5-11-16 line, the second best output among defensemen in the nation.

It’s going to be a very tough game, but if anyone can put up a fight it’s Brockport with the 6th best defense in all of DIII (1.73 goals allowed per game).   

On Saturday, Brockport hosts non-conference foe Anna Maria at 4:00. If the name sounds really familiar, that’s because Brockport played against them over the Thanksgiving weekend, a game the Golden Eagles won convincingly, 5-1.   

Saturday is Senior Night, something which was typically done at season’s end, but now, because of SUNYAC standards with time, etc. must now occur with a non-conference game. The seniors who will be recognized Saturday are Jake Moore, Bryan Carville, and Connar Bass.  

The matinee game will be a nice way for fans to get in some hockey on the Brockport campus before heading into the holiday break.