The Brockport Ice Hockey team came up short in Maryland against
Stevenson University in season opener action, 2-1, on Friday, October
31st.
The first period would prove to be a showcase for both goaltenders, with Brockport goalie Dax Easter
(11) and Stevenson goalie Ford DeLoss (8) combining for 19 saves.
Despite going on the power play early, the Mustang penalty kill would
help send the contest into the second period tied 0-0.
A Brockport two-minute penalty would lead to a Stevenson power play
goal, with Benson Blake putting the Mustangs up 1-0. The Golden Eagles
would threaten in the second period with multiple scoring chances, but
11 second-period saves from DeLoss would blank the Green and Gold in the
second period.
Searching for the equalizer in the third period, freshman Nick Reif would light the lamp 6:04 into the third period to tie the game at 1-1. Manny Sanchez and Livio Azevedo would provide the assist on Reif's first goal as a Golden Eagle.
Less than 10 minutes later, the Stevenson power play and Blake Benson
would strike again, connecting on the man-up to jump ahead at the 4:17
mark of the third period.
Despite late shots from Jacob Gates and Jacob Matthew Lee, the Green and Gold were unable to force overtime, falling 2-1 in Maryland.
Matthew Lee led all Brockport skaters with five shots, going a perfect 2-2 in the face-off circle.
Sacha Trudel, Kyle Kussmann, Spencer Flansburg, Nicholas Maria, and Dominic Chirico all recorded a blocked shot in the contest.
Dax Easter was excellent in defeat, making 33 stops to keep Brockport within striking distance throughout.