Here are my thoughts and observations following last night’s 2-2 with Potsdam…
Brockport is now a quarter of the way through the season and it’s been a successful start, the team now standing at 3-2-1. If they keep it up, they’ll wind up fourth or fifth in the conference.
But – and this is one of those rare times you’ll hear me be critical of the team – if the power play I saw last night becomes the norm, Brockport will end the regular season on the outside looking in. Potsdam’s penalty killing abilities are just average, but last night Brockport allowed them to look all-world. They dominated while the Golden Eagles were on the PP, bringing incredible speed and pressure. They made it look like they were the ones on the offensive…and they were: twice Potsdam had frightening breakaways while shorthanded and twice they were denied by Todd Sheridan. It didn’t help that the Eagles looked sloppy on the power play…misfiring passes, being out of position, and on 3 occasions getting penalties themselves, blowing the man-up advantage.
But, I digress. Taking the power play out of the equation, I loved how well Brockport played last night. The offensive pressure was outstanding (look at the shots on goal!) and everyone played a great physical game. At even-strength, Brockport thoroughly dominated Potsdam, who were saved only by a stellar performance by their goaltender O’Neill.
It was an exciting game, all game. As someone who hates goals and prefers great goaltending and physical match-ups, this game was perfection to me. Saves were plentiful as was contact. Even fans with a passing interest in hockey were glued to their seats.
Freshman James Cody continues to impress. He’s a really exciting player to watch and he makes things happen. He’s turning into a Brockport version of Gordie Howe: deft at scoring AND knocking people on their butts. Not only was his tying goal in the waning moments the difference maker, but I know he put fear into some Potsdam guys. He had a couple of huge hits near the scorer’s table, including one that leveled a guy and sent his mouthpiece flying. Once he has fully adjusted to the NCAA and Dickinson’s style of play, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be able to net at least a dozen goals a year. The sky’s the limit with this kid.
Once again, Todd was great. Again he made some monstrous glove saves at point blank range. His save of the weekend was a sprawling, twisted wonder that sent his helmet flying. There’s a reason why he’s leading all SUNYAC netmen with a .935 saves percentage!
It was nice to see a thousand fans in attendance again. As someone who has seen some lean years in the stands, I love seeing this newfound fan base.
Russell Jaslow was in attendance. You can see his report for USCHO here:
http://www.uscho.com/recaps/20082009/m/11/15/potsst-brockst.php
Here’s what the Athletic Department reports….
Freshman James Cody (Schwenksville, PA) scored after the initial Golden Eagles shot hit the post as The College at Brockport Hockey team came from behind for a second time and settled for a 2-2 tie with SUNY Potsdam in a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) game Saturday night at the Tuttle North Ice Arena in Brockport.
SUNY Potsdam (2-3-2 Overall, 2-2-1 SUNYAC) scored midway through the second period to break a 0-0 tie but Brockport (3-2-1, 2-1-1) answered early in the third period on a Jason Gorrie (Etobicoke, ONT) goal from the point for a 1-1 game.
With five minutes to play in the third period, Potsdam scored on a powerplay to take a 2-1 lead before Cody’s goal with 2:01 left in the period tied the score. The teams played a scoreless 5-minute overtime for the final 2-2 tie.Early in the third period Brockport had control of the puck in the Potsdam zone and made several passes around the perimeter of the defense. Gorrie worked his way to a defensive position along the blue line and took a pass from Tim Crowley (Brasher Falls, NY) and fired a high hard shot that may have been deflected on its way to the net and beat Postdam goalie, Trevor O’Neill to tie the game at 1-1.
Late in the third period after Potsdam had regained the lead, Brockport won a faceoff to the right of O’Neill in the Potsdam zone and Justin Noble (Georgetown, ONT) fired a quick low shot that found a hole but hit the post and bounced out in front of the goal. Cody drove in from his wing position and slapped in the loose puck for the 2-2 tie.
Brockport held a 49-38 advantage in shots with O’Neill making 47 saves while Brockport junior Todd Sheridan (Edison, NJ) made 36 stops for the Golden Eagles.
The tie puts Brockport alone in third place in the SUNYAC standings.
