This was my 27th season as a fan of Brockport hockey. I've seen a lot of games.
This past Wednesday's playoff game, even though it was a loss, now sits at #1 on my list of the greatest games that I've been to at Tuttle North. The third home playoff game in program history, double overtime, high drama, the 9th-longest game in DIII history...there was just so much about the game that makes it to the top of the list of classics.
What games round out my Top 5?
#2: February 24th, 2009: Brockport hosted its first playoff game ever. Because it was such a critical moment in the program's history, the drama was intense and the crowd wild. The superstars were super as James Cody had 2 goals and Todd Sheridan made 43 saves in the 3-1 win.
#3: October 7, 2000: This exhibition victory, 9-7 against Ontario's
Humber College, featured 96 minutes of penalties, a bloody nose during
the post-game handshake, and 5 goals by Nick Smyth...among them a
natural shorthanded hat trick.
#4: February 23rd, 2010: Brockport hosted a playoff game for the second year in a row. Potsdam was the opponent yet again and the Golden Eagles shut them out, 3-0.
#5: December 9, 2011: Brockport beat then 6th-ranked Elmira 4-3 in an incredibly exciting game. Goalie Aaron Green, in just his 3rd game, made 30 saves against the high-powered offense. James Cody tied the game with 7 seconds left with an impossible goal from a crouch. Ian Finnerty won the game 58 seconds into overtime...on his birthday.
