By Carson Werner, Brockport Stylus
The College at Brockport ice hockey team opened its 2019-20 season
with two road games against conference competitors. After dropping both
exhibition matches a week earlier, Brockport had time to make
adjustments before games on Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2 against
Plattsburgh State and SUNY Potsdam. Based on the results, it seems as
though the Golden Eagles’ alterations were beneficial to their success.
“Each year brings new challenges,” head coach Brian Dickinson said.
“We felt we had unfinished business with Plattsburgh knocking us out of
the playoffs last year. The guys have been waiting for the chance to
avenge that outcome and were motivated and determined from the start.”
The first game against the Cardinals finished with four total goals
that all came in the second period. After a scoreless first period,
senior forward Doc Gentzler scored the first goal of the season for the
Golden Eagles on the powerplay. Senior captain Connor Hutchins and
junior defenseman Ryan Romeo assisted on the goal one minute into the
period.
After one roughing penalty for each side, the Cardinals used
four-on-four hockey to tie the game five minutes after. Brockport
reclaimed the lead on junior forward Ethan Solat’s first goal of the
year 30 seconds later.
“The boys executed the game plan and when we made a mistake [senior
goaltender] Matt Schneider was there to make a big save for us,”
Dickinson said. “I felt when Plattsburgh tied the score at one we
answered quickly, which allowed us to take the momentum back. Scoring a
third goal gave us a cushion and the team played very well defensively
in the third period to lock down the win.”
Sophomore forward Mitchell Parsons increased the lead to two just
over the halfway point in the period. Forwards Jordan Renaud, Hunter
Laslo, Zach Norby and Gentzler all finished with an assist apiece.
Schneider made 29 saves in the contest. At two different points in the
game, Schneider was forced to make five consecutive stops to maintain
the lead.
The second game of the weekend against Potsdam featured a more
evenly-matched SUNYAC battle. Romeo put the Golden Eagles on the board
five minutes into the first period, using assists from freshman
defenseman Anthony Hora and Ethan Solat. The Bears managed to respond on
their ninth shot of the period and the score remained tied going into
the second.
The second period featured nine penalties and 14 shots between the
two sides. It wasn’t until the final minute of the frame that either
team capitalized on the man-advantage. With five seconds left, Potsdam
took the lead and momentum to enter the final 20 minutes of play.
After failing to convert on four powerplays in the first and second
periods, the Golden Eagles converted on two of three in the third to
pick up the win. With help from Romeo and Hora, Gentzler evened the
score at two with his second powerplay goal of the weekend. Just over a
minute later, Hora scored his first collegiate goal to give Brockport
the lead with 15 minutes left in the game. Schneider made nine saves to
preserve the lead and Hora’s go-ahead goal turned into the eventual
game-winner.
“It’s huge, obviously doing anything to help the team win is a big
thing for me,” Hora said. “Nothing happens in that third period if we
come out flat as a team. The pressure we put on Potsdam to start the
third period was an enormous boost for us and really got our legs
going.”
Hora played a huge role in the victory over Potsdam, finishing the
game with a goal and two assists. In the exhibition matches leading up
to this weekend, Hora collected a goal against Elmira as well.
“I’ve always been an offensive-minded defenseman growing up, but none
of that happens without having a strong defensive zone presence,” Hora
said. “It can take time for things to come for defenseman, but when it
does, you just need to make the most of it.”
Between Romeo and Hora, the two accounted for two goals and four
assists against Plattsburgh and Potsdam. However, the biggest influence
in the two wins was Brockport’s powerplay offense.
The specialized lines went 3-10 with 10 shots during its
opportunities. Last year, the squad scored 26 times on 143 man-advantage
chances for a conversion percentage of .182.
“The powerplay needs to be better than last year for sure,” Dickinson
said. “We felt that it let us down in many games last year and it’s
been a point of emphasis since day one for us. We learned a lot about
ourselves in our two exhibition games where we went 0-11. After solid
video analysis, the players went back to work and had a very successful
weekend. The powerplay needs to produce both by scoring goals or by
keeping momentum in order for us to be successful this season.”
The Golden Eagles will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 8 and
Saturday, Nov. 9 with back-to-back home games against Morrisville State.
Friday’s game, which starts at 7 p.m., will be Brockport’s senior night
and Stop the Stigma Green Out.
Source: http://www.brockportstylus.org/news/article/current/2019/11/05/101719/ice-hockey-makes-statement-in-first-regular-season-games
