By: JERRY REILLY, Sports Information Director
FREDONIA, N.Y. – Fredonia State and Buffalo State have become familiar opponents in the SUNYAC Men's Hockey Tournament.
When the Blue Devils and Bengals meet 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Buffalo State Ice Arena, it'll mark their fourth time they have been first-round foes since 2007, the first year of the current single-elimination format.
It'll also mark the fourth time since 2007 the Blue Devils will open the SUNYAC Tournament on the road. They are 3-0 on those first-round trips, including wins at Buffalo State in 2007 and 2011.
“We've been down this road before,” Blue Devil head coach
Jeff Meredith said about playing SUNYAC Tournament road games in general and at Buffalo State in particular. “Our guys feel pretty good about playing on the road in the postseason and I think a lot of it has to do with not having as much pressure on you.”
“On the road,” Meredith continued, “it is sometimes easier to play simple and patient because you are waiting for your chances as opposed to getting out of your comfort zone and trying risky things in order to create something. There is a feeling when you play at home that you 'have to make something happen,' and when you are on the road that feeling is not as prevalent.”
His team's recent road success supports Meredith's claim. The Blue Devils are 6-3 in all SUNYAC Tournament road games since 2007, just 1-1 at home.
The 2007 season is significant for another reason. That was the year the Blue Devils won three straight road playoff games – at Buffalo State, at Oswego, and at Plattsburgh – to claim the program's third SUNYAC championship.
The Blue Devils took the same post-season path in 2011, only to fall one game short. After road wins at Buffalo State and Oswego, they lost at Plattsburgh in the SUNYAC championship game.
In last year's tournament, the Blue Devils were 1-1 on the road – a first-round win at Geneseo, followed by a semifinal loss at Oswego.
Buffalo State earned the right to host Wednesday's game by defeating Fredonia State last Friday, 4-2, in the regular-season finale for both teams. Had the Blue Devils won, the first-round game would have been at Steele Hall – the site of a 7-3 Buffalo State win last Nov. 30.
The Bengals have taken first-period leads of 5-0 and 2-0 in their two regular-season wins over the Blue Devils this season.
“We do need,” Meredith said, “to get off to a better start on Wednesday than we did last Friday. I thought Buffalo State really took it to us last Friday for much of the first period. As always, staying out of the penalty box and goaltending will be the key. I look for a close game and it wouldn't surprise me if it comes right down to the end.”
The winner advances to meet either No. 1 seed Oswego or No. 2 seed Plattsburgh on the road Saturday.
