BROCKPORT LOSES CLOSE ONE TO #7 PLATTSBURGH, 1-0

Moral victories do have their place in athletics, just as they do in life. So, while the scoreboard may say Brockport lost to Plattsbugh last night, it was a sort of moral victory. To hold the seventh-best team in the nation to just 1 goal is impressive. Really impressive.

That proves the team is on the right path and true victories -- and lots of them -- are coming.

Last night's affair had the feel and play of a playoff game. Who knows, it might be the same sort of game we see after the regular season closes.

It was a team effort that fed off the inspiring play of Jared Lockhurst. Brockport's goalie was his usual amazing self, turning back 33 shots. His last save of the game is the best one that I've seen out of any goalie on any team the past 2 or 3 years (it was a full extension dive that came from a full squat at the other side of the net -- absolutely amazing reflexes and physicality!).

Brockport hosts Potsdam tonight. The Bears stunned Geneseo on Friday, so they will be riding an emotional high at Tuttle North.

If the Golden Eagles win tonight it will be the 150th victory of Brian Dickinson's collegiate coaching career. Savor that special milestone! 

Below are some of the various recaps of last night's game...



From the Brockport Athletic Department...

Junior goalie Jared Lockhurst (Caledon, ONT) made 33 saves including double-digit totals in the first and third periods for The College at Brockport Hockey team but a second period goal was the difference in a 1-0 loss to Plattsburgh Friday night in a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) game at the Tuttle North Arena in Brockport.

Plattsburgh (2-0 Overall, 2-0 SUNYAC), ranked No. 7 in the country in the latest USCHO.com poll, had a 14-6 shots advantage in the first period by Lockhurst was able to keep the Cardinals off the scoreboard.

In the second period, a shot from the point got past Lockhurst for the only goal of the game as Plattsburgh took a 1-0 lead with 6:28 left in the period.

Brockport (0-3, 0-1) fought off two penalties in the first period and three more in the second period as Plattsburgh finished the game 0-for-5 with the man advantage.

In the third period, Brockport had a couple late scoring chances to tie the game with the best chance coming with 7:30 left in the period. Senior Bobby Chayka (Hardwick, NJ) took a pass at the point and skated in two strides to the top of the faceoff circle and fired a hard shot toward the upper corner of the goal that missed the goal by inches high and wide.

Later in the period, Lockhurst made three quick saves on a Plattsburgh rush including one with a diving stop with just over two minutes left to play. Brockport took Lockhurst out of the game for the final 1:15 for the extra attacker but could not score the equalizer.

From the Brockport Stylus....

Three games in and the College at Brockport is still searching for the first win of the season. Brockport lost 1-0 to SUNY Plattsburgh in a spirted effort. Offense has been the problem for the Golden Eagles this year. In three games Brockport has only been able to produce two goals. Brockport was out shot again this game which has become a recurring theme this season.

The past two games Brockport has gotten into penalty trouble which has really hindered their offensive production. Throughout the first two periods staying out of the box was an issue the Golden Eagles, but the third period was another story.

The first period brought about sloppy play from both teams, passes weren’t connecting and both teams seemed slow to get their wheels going. Brockport was out shot thirteen to six in the first. A majority of the period was spent in their own zone. Brockport seemed very passive in the defensive zone which allowed Plattsburgh to set up the offense and find the open man. Puck watching almost cost the Golden Eagles twice early in the period had it not been for junior goalie Jared Lockhurst, it would have been a tough opening period for the team.

The second period started just how the first ended, with a lot of penalties for Brockport. After the teams felt each other out in the first it was a much different game in the second period of play. Brockport came out strong and fast, but then seemed willing to sit back. This allowed Plattsburgh to have its way in the Brockport zone. It all starts in the defensive zone, Brockport spent a lot of time there which didn’t allow them to generate offense. When the Eagles finally reached the offensive zone, players were tired which therefor lead to smooth break outs for Plattsburgh. It wasn’t until the third when this changed.

The third brought out a different team in Brockport, the team was playing fast and dictating pace.

Defenseman were pinching and taking chances in risk for offense. Plattsburgh was content to sit back and hold on to their one goal lead. Brockport pulled the goalie in a final effort to tie up the game but the Eagles were unable to cash in.

That’s three games this season and three losses. Brockport will try to put one in the win column Saturday night against SUNY Potsdam.


Source: http://www.thestylus.net/news/view.php/855623/Another-Tough-Loss-For-Ice-Hockey

From the Press Republican...

Plattsburgh State kept up pressure in Brockport’s end Friday and got one shot past goaltender Jared Lockhurst for a SUNY Athletic Conference men’s hockey win.

“Actually, I thought we played a really sound all-around game,” Plattsburgh coach Bob Emery said of the 1-0 contest. “Obviously it wasn’t a perfect game. But I thought we moved the puck really well and had a lot of great scoring chances (Friday). I thought their goalie played really well.”

Plattsburgh’s goalie, Brady Rouleau, played well, too, earning a shutout in his first start with the Cardinals. The sophomore made 22 saves, and Emery said he was “very solid.”

The seventh-ranked Cardinals (2-0, 2-0 SUNYAC) visit Geneseo tonight.

Emery said Plattsburgh started the game with five or six really good chances and went on to spend much of the game in the offensive zone.

Rich Botting gave the Cardinals the lead in the middle of the second period with an assist from fellow defenseman Anthony Calabrese.

“Brockport did a great job blocking shots, and Botting showed great patience and great poise,” Emery said. “Two guys went down to block his shot, and he held onto it and then put it right inside the post. It was a great shot.”

The Golden Eagles pulled Lockhurst at the end of the game, and then Plattsburgh took a penalty with 29 seconds left. But Emery said the Cardinals finished off the game with a strong penalty kill.Lockhurst finished with 33 saves for Brockport (0-3, 0-1).



Source: http://www.pressrepublican.com/sports/college_sports/cardinals-sneak-past-brockport/article_248cbe30-61f6-5c9b-be5d-89ad06269dcf.html 

BROCKPORT TO HOST NORTH COUNTRY TEAMS THIS WEEKEND

The North Country teams -- Plattsburgh and Potsdam -- pay a visit to Tuttle North this Friday and Saturday (7:00 start).

For the second Friday in a row, Brockport hosts a nationally-ranked team as Plattsburgh sits in 7th place on USCHO's latest poll.

Plattsburgh started their season in typical fashion, beating Potsdam 4-2 last weekend. Last year they were 19-5-2 overall.

They were -- and are a young team -- and all of their leading scorers are returning. Looking at last year's stat sheets, they didn't have a senior appear on the team leader board for scoring until the 10th slot. That means look out for the likes of Alex Jensen (13-16-29), Alex Brenton (12-2-14), and Dillan Fox (9-15-24).  

This season is one of transition in net as Matthew Cadieux graduated after a ridiculous .935 save percentage and 1.56 GAA in his final year. With big shoes to fill, junior Spencer Finney stopped 29 shots in last week's game. Coach Bob Emery is a stickler on goaltending, so don't expect too significant of a drop off from last season. Finney could be in .920 territory on the year.

Last season the Cardinals beat Brockport 6-0 at Plattsburgh and 5-4 in Brockport. I expect a close score again (not a blowout) and with Jared Lockhurst in net, a win is always possible by the underdogs.

On Saturday night, Potsdam strolls into town after a 9-14-2 season. Brockport beat them twice last year: 6-3 in the fall and 4-1 in the spring semester. 

Last year, goals were hard to come by (2.92/game), but don't underestimate them: They are a seasoned bunch as 15 upperclassmen return this season. Any one of them can take it up a notch.

Jon Hall is their #1 goalie. In 9 games last year he had an .898 save percentage. This year, after 2 games, it stands at .917.

Billy Pascalli will likely be the leading scorer this year on the strength of 10-9-19 sophomore campaign. Keep an eye on Vinny Caligiuri who had 6 goals as a freshman. Gone is Mike Arnold who graduated after a stellar 17 goal capstone season.

Brockport should be victorious and if the power play clicks like it did last year (there's no reason it shouldn't), expect a potential blowout as Potsdam's penalty kill was 44th best in the nation.

     

USCHO'S SUNYAC PREVIEW

USCHO's SUNYAC season preview is out and it looks at the top teams in the conference, while having high hopes for Brockport. Check it out here:

http://www.uscho.com/2014/11/03/sunyac-favorite-a-roll-of-the-dice-in-2014-15/

HOCKEY TEAM ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE

 

 

The first Sunday of November can mean only one thing for the more than 200 student-athletes from The College at Brockport: It’s time for the annual community-wide leaf raking project.

Members of the Golden Eagles’ 23 varsity sports teams banded together to help Brockport residents with cleaning up their yards of leaves during the State University of New York Athletic Conference’s (SUNYAC) eighth-annual leaf raking project. Most of those lawns belonged to senior citizens.

 

The hockey team was busy working, even with there having been games Friday and Saturday. The team also held a canned food drive with donations going to the Brockport food shelf.

VIDEO RECAP OF NAZ GAME

The Nazareth Athletics Department produced this highlight video of their team's 7-1 win over Brockport....

NAZARETH POUNDS BROCKPORT 7-1

Here's the recap from the Brockport Athletic Department...

The College at Brockport dropped its first road game of the season Saturday night, falling 7-1 to Nazareth.

The loan goal for the Golden Eagles was scored by freshman Ryan Kangas (Williamstown, MA) late in the third period on an assist from junior Chris Luker (New Hartford, NY) to cut the lead to 4-1 but Brockport couldn't overcome the disadvantage.

Nazareth applied consistent pressure in the first period. Goalie Aaron Green kept the Golden Eagles in the game making 10 saves and holding Nazareth to a 1-0 lead.

The Golden Flyers held the power play advantage converting three of their seven opportunities into goals. Brockport was unable to score on its five power play attempts.

Junior Shane Cavalieri (Richmond Hill, ONT) had a nice opportunity on a power play in the second period as he took a shot off a deflection from defenseman Dylan Howatt (Fairport, NY). The Golden Flyers had trouble clearing the puck, but the Golden Eagles were unable to capitalize as Nazareth finally sent the puck down the length of the ice to clear the man advantage.

Late in the third period Brockport had trouble staying out of the penalty box and as a result gave up two short-handed goals in less than 30 seconds. Green finished the game with 23 saves.

____________________________________________________________________________



Here's the recap from Naz's athletic department.....


Junior defenseman Don Olivieri scored two goals and added an assist and junior forward Rocky Gruttadauria also scored twice as Nazareth opened its 2014-15 hockey season with a 7-1 non-conference win over Brockport at the Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex.

The Golden Flyers built a 3-0 lead after two periods and scored four more times in the final 20 minutes to win decisively. Brockport opened its season Friday with a 3-1 loss to Hobart and now stand at 0-2.

Gruttadauria scored the first two goals of the game -- his first two as a Golden Flyer -- to stake Nazareth to an early lead. His first goal came midway through the opening period off an assist from junior Tom
Seravalli. Then in the second period, he scored on the power play at 13:45 with Brockport's Troy Polino in the box for tripping. Olivieri and Scott Dawson gained assists.

Before the second period ended, David Seward scored to make it 3-0 with assists from Ben Blasko and Dominik Gabaj.

Gabaj, who transferred to Nazareth from Monroe Community College, scored his first goal for the Golden Flyers at 1:38 of the third as Nazareth continued to dominate. Blasko picked up his second of three assists.

Brockport's Ryan Kangas broke up the shutout bid with the Golden Eagles' lone goal at 11:10 of the third, but Nazareth answered just 1:10 later when C.J. Murray connected off assists from Julius Tamasy and freshman Matt Manzella. That triggered a three-goal burst in the span of 1:23. After Brockport's Chad Cummings drew a major penalty, Nazareth scored twice on the five-minute power play with both goals coming from Olivieri, who also transferred to Nazareth last season. Dawson drew the assist on the first goal while Tamasy and Blasko assisted on the second.

Nazareth had shooting advantages in all three periods and had a 33-24 edge overall. Junior Ed Zdolshek kept the Golden Eagles off the scoreboard until midway through the third period and ultimately finished with 23 saves. Aaron Green started in goal for Brockport and had 23 saves before being lifted in the third period. Andrew Winsor played the finaol 6:15 and made three saves.

Nazareth went 3-for-5 on the power play, while Brockport was 0-for-5.

STYLUS REPORT ON HOBART GAME

Here's the report on last night's game from Eric Mueller of the Brockport Stylus...

The College at Brockport's Golden Eagles opened the season with a 3 - 1 loss against Hobart College, Friday, Oct. 31. Although the team played well early, Brockport wasn’t able to generate enough offense.

Junior goalie Jared Lockhurst was the story of the game early, standing on his head and keeping the Golden Eagles in the game. In the first period, Brockport was out shot 17 - 7. Although it may seem lopsided, the Golden Eagles generated a lot of offensive zone time, but just weren’t getting into the dirty scoring areas. Brockport could have lost this game by a lot more than two goals if Lockhurst didn’t play so well early in the game.

In the second period, Brockport came out strong and fast to take the lead. A net-front presence was established which led to scoring opportunities. Lockhurst continued where he left off in the first, making save after save, but Hobart finally snuck one by him with 3:43 left in the period. Brockport spent a lot of time in the dirty areas in front of the net which created offense for the team.

Brockport dominated most of the second until the last five minutes of the period where it seemed Hobart took the game to another level the Golden Eagles weren’t able to match.

From the moment Hobart took a 2 - 0 lead early in the third, the team seemed deflated. That was until junior forward Chase Nieuwendyk picked up the puck at his own blue line, turned on the jets and went forehand, backhand sliding the puck inbetween the legs of the Hobart goalie bringing Brockport within one on a shorthanded goal. The intensity of the game took off from that point on and Brockport had a few chances to tie it up, but had a hard time hitting the back of the net. With a minute to go in the game, Hobart capitalized on a two-on-one to take a 3 - 1 lead.

The key headline coming into this game was seeing how Brockport would react to Hobart’s European style of play. What stuck out most was the transition game Hobart displayed. The team had numbers coming up the ice with it on every one of Brockport’s turnovers. In the offensive zone, Hobart kept three men high, mostly acting as third defenseman. This created many turnovers by Brockport at the blue line, allowing Hobart to sustain attacking pressure. Brockport did a very good job limiting the chances Hobart had early in the game, but as the game went on, Hobart proved to be too much for the Golden Eagles. Brockport fell into a trap of trying to force the puck out of the zone instead of making the easy play. This played right into Hobart’s game and allowed the team to attack Brockport repeatedly.

Source: http://www.thestylus.net/news/view.php/853128/Brockport-ice-hockey-drops-season-opener

BROCKPORT LOSES TO 15th-RANKED HOBART

Junior Chase Nieuwendyk (Georgetown, ONT) scored a shorthanded goal in the third period for The College at Brockport Hockey team to cut the lead to 2-1 but a late goal by Hobart sealed the season-opening loss for the Golden Eagles as Hobart scored a 3-1 victory Friday night at the Tuttle North Ice Arena in Brockport.

Hobart (1-0), ranked #15 in the preseason D3Hockey.com national poll, opened the scoring in the second period taking the lead with less than four minutes to play in the period.

Brockport (0-1) had a late power play opportunity that carried over into the third period but could not capitalize and Hobart scored less than 30 seconds after the penalty expired to take a 2-0 lead.

Midway through the third period, Brockport was fighting off its first penalty of the game and defenseman Jonathan Demme (Brampton, ONT) stole the puck along the boards in the Brockport zone and chipped the puck toward the blue line to clear the zone. The Hobart defenseman at the line misplayed the puck and Nieuwendyk was there to collect the loose puck and break down the ice for a breakaway on the goalie.

Nieuwendyk skated across the front of the goal and slipped a backhanded shot between the legs of Lino Chimienti for the shorthanded goal trimming the lead to 2-1 with 10:58 to play.

With two minutes remaining, defenseman Chris Luker (New Hartford, NY) and forward Nate Pelligra (Webster, NY) had shots in close as the two slapped at a loose puck on the corner of the goal but could not score. The puck squirted loose and a quick Hobart breakout led to an insurance goal at the other end of the ice as the Statesmen took a 3-1 lead with 1:47 on the clock.

Brockport goalie Jared Lockhurst (Caledon, ONT) made 38 saves for the Golden Eagles including 17 in the first period when Brockport was outshot 17-7 in a scoreless first 20 minutes.

DEMME NAMED CAPTAIN OF THE GOLDEN EAGLES

Junior Jonathan Demme (Brampton, ONT) has been named team captain of The College at Brockport Hockey team for the 2014-15 season. He succeeds former Golden Eagle teammates and fellow defensemen Matt DeLuca and Mike Hayward as the player selected to wear the "C" on his jersey.

Demme, a two year starter on the blue line for the Golden Eagles was part of the leadership group for the team last season and has scored a goal in each of his first two years with Brockport. Both of his goals were game-winning goals with one against Buffalo State as a freshman and one against Fredonia last year.

"Jon (Demme) has been a leader for us on the ice and in the locker room for the past year or so and I am confident that he will continue the tradition of strong leadership from the blue liners," said Head Coach Brian Dickinson.

The team also announced the naming of assistant captains as senior defenseman Bobby Chayka (Hardwick, NJ) and junior wing Jeremy DeFazio (Oakville, ONT) were selected to wear the "A" on their jersey. Chayka contributed four goals and five assists for nine points last year while DeFazio had a goal and five assists for the Golden Eagles in 2013-14.

Brockport opens the 2014-15 season Friday at home against Hobart College and will open State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play Nov. 7-8 hosting Plattsburgh Friday and Potsdam Saturday. The annual Saves for a Cure weekend is set for the following weekend as Brockport hosts Geneseo, Nov. 14 and Canton, Nov. 15 as Brockport opens the season with five of its first six games on home ice.

SAVES FOR A CURE JERSEY AUCTION UNDERWAY

The College at Brockport will host its seventh annual Saves For a Cure weekend on Friday, November 14th and Saturday, November 15th when our biggest rival -- Geneseo -- and one of our newest opponents -- Canton -- come to Tuttle north.

Saves for a Cure is a non-profit, charitable organization started by Todd Sheridan ('11), a former Brockport goalie -- and one of Brockport's all-time greatest players -- and the College's all-time leader in goals-against average (3.07), career wins (29) and saves percentage (.904). He also holds the 2 of the 4 best single season saves percentages for Brockport.

In 2005 Todd was diagnosed with cancer, given a 70% chance of survival and told he’d never play hockey again. Todd beat cancer and the odds and then had quite the career at Brockport, as made evident by his career numbers and the team's only 2 playoff seasons of the first decade of the 2000s -- both of which occurred while he was in net.

With his success story as its backdrop, Saves For a Cure oversees a variety of fundraisers, including the annual Saves For a Cure game, which this year for the first time is games (plural). All proceeds from any Saves For a Cure event or activity go to the children’s cancer clinic at Strong Memorial Hospital.

The highlight of the games is an auction whereby fans can bid on the special jerseys being worn during each of the two games. The auction has begun and will continue through 4 pm (Eastern), Sunday, November 16, 2014. The winners will be listed on the auction web page and will be notified via email. Winners will be able to pick up their jerseys at the Brockport home games December 5-6 or will be shipped and arrive in time for the holidays.

Bidding is online at 2014-15 Jersey Auction page. Bidders will be asked to submit a jersey number, bid amount (minimum bid is $75), and the color of the jersey that you would like to bid on. Bids will be updated as often as possible on the auction page.

Last year, nearly $3,000 was collected from the Jersey auction.

Thank you for your support!

A LOOK AHEAD AT THIS WEEKEND'S GAMES

The 2014-2015 season begins on Halloween night on home ice when Brockport hosts the Hobart Statesman at 7:00.

Ever the competitive team, Hobart went 14-9-4 last season, making it to the second round of the ECAC playoffs where they fell to Elmira 5-3. They were a force to reckon with on the road, going 9-4-1, which will mean an explosive game at Tuttle North.

Last November, before the Golden Eagles really found their wings, the teams skated to a 1-1 tie at the Cooler in Geneva on the strength of 44 saves by Jared Lockhurst.

Hobart has their top five scorers returning this season, led by Mac Olson (15-12-27) and Ben Gameche (10-15-25). Lino Chimienti will be manning the net yet again for Hobart after a .912 and 2.58 stat line last season.

Hobart lost just 4 seniors in the off season, so a young team that was supposed to be inexperienced last year (and wasn’t) will be a force to reckon with as they prove to be older, wiser and stronger. It kind of sounds like Brockport, so this will likely be one of the closest, hardest-fought non-conference games of the season.

On Saturday night Brockport travels to Rochester to face Nazareth. The second year into their DIII adventures, they were 8-16-2 last season. Last November they trounced Brockport 6-4. It won’t happen again with the Brockport squad showing what they’ve become, even with Naz’s emotions riding high on their opening night.

Ben Blasko was their leading scorer (11-15-26) and ranking second was Tom Seravalli (8-12-20). Ed Zdolshek is the #1 in net. He had a .908 save percentage last year while sporting a 3.11 GAA.     

2014-2015 SEASON PREVIEW: THE TIME HAS COME FOR GREATNESS

The 2013-2014 season was a tale of two semesters for Brockport Hockey.

The fall semester began with great promise as the players, coaches and fans knew they had all of the pieces of the playoff puzzle in place. Recent robust scouting had provided the necessary talent and skill sets, while seniors who grew up under the tutelage of Brockport greats like James Cody, Ian Finnerty, and Adam Shoff provided the leadership necessary for success.

But, unfortunately, it didn’t all come together as it should have last fall. The team was a woeful 2-8-2, with a 1-4-1 record in the SUNYAC. A win against Elmira and a tie with Hobart showed the excellence that everyone thought the team should have, but serious lapses of focus led to painful losses to the likes of Cortland while the team had 4 games in which they scored 1 or no goals.

It was depressing, frustrating, and, ultimately, motivating.

When the team returned from the winter break they showed that they were what we thought they were. They excelled in all facets of the game and went 8-5-1 in the second semester. Under such stress where, making up for the first semester, every game is in itself a playoff game, the Golden Eagles went 6-4 in the conference in January and February. Everything clicked and Brockport made the playoffs after a 4-year drought.

During the first round of the playoffs, the team was manhandled in a 7-2 loss at Buffalo State, but that was likely due to physical and mental exhaustion from playing lights-out all semester.

That second semester set the stage for a new era in Brockport, one where wins will become the norm and the playoffs – and playoff wins -- will become expected. This year’s roster looks to be a 14-win squad and the SUNYAC coaches, who usually dismiss the Golden Eagles, have picked them to finish fourth in the conference, which means a playoff game on home ice.

 

FORWARDS

What was behind Brockport’s amazing turnaround last winter?

For starters, a markedly-improved ability to light the lamp.

 
There were 12 games played in the first semester, in which the team scored 31 goals (2.58 per game).

There were 14 games (counting the playoffs) in the second semester. The goal tally? 49, or a whopping 3.5 per game – so, basically 1 more goal per game. In the ultra-competitive DIII, that’s the difference between losing a game or winning and/or tying.

 
Had this pace been maintained for both semesters, Brockport's scoring would rank 13th in the nation. Even with the first semester thrown in there, the team finished the season ranked 29th at 3.08, which in itself is not too shabby.

If the Golden Eagles can maintain the breakneck scoring pace from the spring semester, the sky’s the limit.

There’s no reason they shouldn’t.

Gone are All-SUNYAC pick Chris Cangro, who as a senior had a second semester for the ages racking up 19 points in those two months, and Nick Marinac, who as a freshman amassed 19 points thanks to his rare speed.

Those who remain, though, will be able to pick up the slack. Brockport retained 4 of their top 6 scorers.

Junior Chase Nieuwendyk will lead the attack. As a sophomore, he shared the team lead in points with 24. He’s slick and his puck awareness will have him leading the team in scoring yet again. There’s no reason why he can’t surpass 30 points and net a conference award. Hardcore hockey fans will really appreciate his savvy.

Jake Taylor was a welcome surprise last year when he became the first freshman since James Cody to reach double-digits in goals (he sported a 10-11-21 line). He’s certain to grow that number this year. If he can cut back on his penalties and, in turn, get more time on the ice, the man with the wicked wrist shot is a shoe-in for a dozen-plus goals a year. He’s electric and fun to watch…look no further than his short-handed goal against Morrisville for proof of that.  

Junior Shane Cavalieri will help anchor the attack and has the potential to be an All-SUNYAC pick. Last season, he had a 6-9-15 line and many people (including me) had him pegged for 10 to 12 goals after 9 goals in his rookie campaign. His sophomore season may have statistically looked like a down year, but it wasn’t if you watched the games. Shane was still Shane; he ran into a string of bad luck: For some reason, opposing goalies made ridiculous saves on him and he was robbed of at least 4 goals. Bad luck will be beaten by hard work and talent, both of which Shane has in spades.   

DEFENSEMEN

All season long last year, I used this blog to tout the awesomeness of Chris Luker. He was stellar on defense, hanging with the big boys of Plattsburgh and Oswego and he proved to be, outside of Nieuwendyk, the most consistent scorer on the team from start to finish of the season (and Chris is a defenseman!). He netted well-deserved All-SUNYAC honors after finishing the season with a 9-13-22 line, finishing with the most goals by a Brockport blueliner in 26 years (Fran Gibny had a whopping 14 in 1987-1988).

His defensemates are just as important to the team’s success.

Jonathan Demme doesn’t rack up the sexy scoring numbers (a 1-2-3 line), but he’s one of the best pure defensemen in the conference. He glides with ease and can swarm even the best of offensive players, forcing long outside shots if any at all. His quiet performance can cause fans with just a passing interest in the game to overlook what he does, but they shouldn’t. He is the man who makes this defensive unit work and he is incredibly consistent.

Also returning are the Two Roberts – Bobby Chayka and Robbie Hall – who finished with 9 and 8 points respectively and are known for doling out physical punishment at any chance they get. These young bucks are fun to watch and their grit can motivate the team.

GOALIES

Brockport has an embarrassment of riches in the net. No team in the conference, and maybe in all of Division III, can claim to be three-deep in quality goaltenders.

Once again, the debate will rage this semester, who’s the Number One: Jared Lockhurst or Aaron Green?

Lockhurst is one of the most-revered netminders in the SUNYAC. In his freshman year he had a .919 save percentage, which bested the single-season mark of Todd Sheridan, inarguably the greatest goalie in Brockport history. Last year, he struggled with injuries and remnant pain that kept his save percentage at a still-respectable .903. Now healthy, there’s no reason he should not be in the territory of .920 again.

While Lockhurst is more traditional of a goalie with an emphasis on positioning, Green, a senior, is the more athletic, using his cat-like reflexes to rob goals. He finished the season with a .897 save percentage and a team-leading 3.34 goals against average. In the last 4 games of the regular season, when it was do-or-die, Green stopped 120 of 126 shots, good for a .952 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average. Green wins games: He now has a .538 career winning percentage, which rivals that of all Brockport goaltenders, including Todd Sheridan (.500).

If those gents are injured at the same time, which they were at one point last year, there’s nothing to fear when the reins are passed to Andrew Winsor who had a .894 percentage in spot duty last year. He has the talent, focus and upbeat attitude that with regular starts should produce a .910, so the team’s future is in good hands when Green graduates after this season. 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Teams always do well if they have success on special teams.

The 2013-2014 Golden Eagles were half-way there last season.

The power play unit was seventh-best in the nation, finding the back of the net 25.2% of the time when having a man advantage. That accounted for 27 goals over the season. Opponents found them frightening and will again this year. 10 Golden Eagles had PP goals last year, led by James Ryan, now a junior, who had a 6 such goals!

The penalty kill was middling, come in at forty-second in the nation, killing just 80.2 % of man-up attacks. That accounted for 24 goals over the season. It’s not a good statistic when Brockport was twenty-eighth in the nation in penalty minutes, only one season after they set the Brockport record for fewest penalty minutes in a season. Last season saw a 22% increase in that category. If they can cut back on lapses in focus, there’s no reason why the PK unit couldn’t jump to thirtieth. There’s enough skill present.

 

Looking at all of the above, and considering some of the new recruits coming to campus this year, there are few discernable weaknesses on this team. The Golden Eagles do most everything well and that should make for a new era of greatness, this season and into the future.

It’s a good time to be a Brockport Hockey fan.

YOUR 2014-2015 BROCKPORT GOLDEN EAGLES

2014-15 Ice Hockey Roster

#	Name		Yr.	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown	Last Team
1	Andrew Winsor		So.	Goalie	5-8	175	Coburg, ONT	Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL)
2	Rob Hall		So.	Defense	5-11	185	Schaumberg, IL	Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL)
3	Bobby Chayka		Sr.	Defense	6-0	185	Hardwick, NJ	Granite City Lumberjacks (NA3HL)
4	Chad Cummings		Jr.	Defense	6-5	205	Caledon, ONT	Wellington Dukes (OHHL)
5	Michael Zagari		Jr.	Forward	6-2	205	McKees Rocks, PA	Jamestown Ironmen (NAHL)
6	David Horan		Fr.	Forward	6-0	180	Kennebunk, ME	Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (OJHL)
7	Chris Luker		Jr.	Defense	6-4	190	New Hartford, NY	Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL)
8	Matt Meredith		Fr.	Forward	6-2	185	Fredonia, NY	New Jersey Titans (EHL)
9	Shane Cavalieri		Jr.	Forward	6-0	195	Richmond Hill, ONT	Toronto Lakeshore Patriots (OJHL)
10	Aiden Verbeke		Fr.	Forward	6-0	170	Elmwood Park, IL	Granite City Lumberjacks (NA3HL)
12	Zac Sikich		Fr.	Forward	5-11	180	Oak Park, CA	Granite City Lumberjacks (NA3HL)
14	RJ Sciarrone		Fr.	Defense	5-10	185	Webster, NY	Port Colborne Pirates (GOJHL)
16	Troy Polino		Sr.	Forward	5-9	190	Limerick, PA	New York Bobcats (AtlJHL)
17	Jonathan Demme		Jr.	Defense	6-3	190	Brampton, ONT	Orangeville Flyers (OJHL)
18	Ryan Kangas		Fr.	Forward	5-10	175	Williamstown, MA	Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (EHL)
19	Nate Pelligra		So.	Forward	5-11	185	Webster, NY	Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL)
20	Jeremy DeFazio		Jr.	Forward	6-1	195	Oakville, ONT	Georgetown Raiders (OJHL)
21	Brian Hurlimann		Fr.	Defense	6-0	200	Hilton, NY	Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL)
22	Jake Taylor		So.	Forward	5-8	165	Port Perry, ONT	Lindsay Muskies (OJHL)
23	Dylan Howatt		Fr.	Defense	5-11	195	Fairport, NY	Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL)
24	Jesse Facchini		Jr.	Forward	6-0	185	Mississauga, ONT	Mississauga Chargers (OJHL)
25	Andrew Parks		So.	Forward	6-0	190	Orillia, ONT	Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL)
26	James Ryan		Jr.	Forward	5-6	160	Richmond Hill, ONT	Toronto Lakeshore Patriots (OJHL)
27	Kody Vaisanen		Jr.	Forward	5-11	180	Dundalk, ONT	North York Rangers (OJHL)
30	Jared Lockhurst		Jr.	Goalie	6-0	185	Caledon, ONT	Wellington Dukes (OJHL)
31	Aaron Green		Sr.	Goalie	5-10	175	Mt. Albert, ONT	St. Michaels Buzzers (OJHL)
81	Chase Nieuwendyk		Jr.	Forward	6-0	180	Georgetown, ONT	Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL)
91	Dylan Shapiro		Fr.	Forward	6-2	190	Rochester, NY	Rochester Jr. Americans (USPHL)

BROCKPORT IS FOURTH IN SUNYAC COACHES POLL

The College at Brockport Ice Hockey team opens its season at home Friday October 31 against Hobart at 7 pm in the Tuttle North Ice Arena.

The Golden Eagles were picked to finish fourth in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Preseason Coaches Poll that was released this week. Last season Brockport finished fifth in the SUNYAC after a sixth prediction in the preseason poll. Oswego has been chosen as the top team this preseason after defeating No. 2 Geneseo 7-6 in last years SUNYAC Championship game.

Brockport enters the 2014-15 season after posting a 10-13-3 record last season. Tied with Brockport in the fourth spot in the preseason poll is rival Buffalo State. Brockport's season ended last year at the hands of the Bengals in the SUNYAC Tournament.

For the past two seasons Brockport has tied Hobart, its home opening opponent.

The Golden Eagles return 19 players, including three of its top five scorers from the previous season. All three goalies that saw ice time last year return for another season as well.

Brockport students, faculty and staff with their Brockport ID will receive free admission to all hockey games throughout the year. General admission tickets are $5. Tickets for senior citizens and non-Brockport students will be $3.