By: Matt Palisin, Asst. SID
BOXSCORE POTSDAM, N.Y. – Despite four third-period goals, the Fredonia State hockey team couldn't hold back the Potsdam Bears and were forced to settle for a 4-all tie at Potsdam on Saturday.
Down 2-0 after two periods, the Devils stormed back with three goals in the first 5:38 of the third period to take the lead. The Devils would go up 4-2 with another goal with just under eight minutes remaining.
Potsdam fought back with a goal with 4:41 to play to make it a 4-3 game. They would go on to score another goal in the final minute to send it to overtime.
All four Potsdam goals were on power plays, while Fredonia State scored its four even strength.
The Bears got a first-period goal from Dan McCarney. They added a second in the second period on a Ken Simon slapshot.
The third period then saw six combined goals scored -- four unanswered by the Devils, and the final two by Potsdam.
The Devils' first goal came with 17:54 on the clock when
Travis Fernley (Calgary, Alberta / Lord Beaverbrook) connected from a
Blake Forslund (Owen Sound, Ont. / Owen Sound) pass.
Mitch Kaufmann (Red Deer, Alberta / Hunting Hills) tied the game at the14:39 mark when Forslund and
Hunter Long (Lebanon, Tenn. / Lebanon) assisted.
The Devils first lead came when
Matt Owczarczak (Buffalo, N.Y. / West Seneca West) scored 17 seconds later. He received helpers from
Stephen Castriota (Bellport, N.Y. / Bellport) and Fernley.
The Devils padded their lead with 7:43 to go when
Chad Bennett (Burlington, Ont. / Robert Bateman) scored as
Jared Wynia (Calgary, Alberta / Lord Beaverbrook) and
Brian Doust (Calgary, Alberta / Innisdale Secondary) assisted.
Potsdam tied the game with goals by Adam Place and Billy Pascalli, with Pascalli's goal coming in the final minute. He finished with one goal and three assists.
In the overtime, the Devils got off five shots, and Potsdam four.
Potsdam (2-8-2 SUNYAC, 7-12-2 overall) was especially efficient on its power play chances, converting on four of seven. Conversely, the Devils came up empty in seven opportunities.
Both netminders saw their fair share of action. Fredonia State's
Jeff Flagler (Owen Sound, Ont. / West Hill) made 47 saves, and Potsdam's Jon Hall stopped 46 shots
The Devils are now 4-5-4 in SUNYAC play, and 7-11-5 overall. They play host to Buffalo State on Friday in what will be the final regular-season home game for the Devils.
