BOXSCORE
FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Score early and score often was the strategy Buffalo State used Friday for a 7-3 SUNYAC men's hockey win over the Fredonia State Blue Devils.
The Bengals (4-5-1 overall, 3-4-1 SUNYAC) scored off the opening faceoff while building a 4-0 lead in just under 12 minutes of the first period to build their insurmountable lead. Nick Melligan and Mike Zannella had two goals each during the outburst.
Zach Hale made it 5-0 Buffalo State with a second-period goal before
Brett Mueller (Queensbury) netted one for the Blue Devils, who fell to 4-6 overall and 3-5 in the SUNYAC. Mueller's goal -- his first of the season -- came on a power play at 10:48 of the second period.
Chad Bennett (Burlington, Ont.) and
John DeFeo (Glen Head) scored third-period goals for the Blue Devils. It was the third of the season for Bennett, and the first of DeFeo's collegiate career. He also had an assist.
Melligan scored 10 seconds into the game, and then again on a power play at 8:35 -- his fifth and sixth goals of the season. Zannella added a power-play goal at 10:09 and an even-strength goal at 11:29. They were his team-leading eighth and ninth goals of the year.
The fourth Buffalo State goal resulted in a Fredonia State change in goal. The starter,
Jeff Holloway (Red Deer, Alberta), left after making four saves on eight shots.
Mark Friesen (Calgary, Alberta) made 17 saves the rest of the way. Buffalo State goaltender Kevin Carr was credited with 23 saves.
The Blue Devils return to action next Friday at home vs. Elmira.
