POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (1-1) exploded for eight second period goals on its way to burying visiting Southern New Hampshire (0-1) 14-2 in its home opener. Freshman forward Paul Manderville (Marinette, Wis./Granite City Lumberjacks) recorded a hat trick for Potsdam and six other Bears recorded at least three points each.

Potsdam led 2-1 after the first period, 10-2 after the second and tacked on four more in the third in the blowout win. Junior assistant captain Matt Viola (Toronto, Ontario/Vaughan Vipers) led all scorers with five points on the day (1-4-5). Senior captain Sy Nutkevitch (Montreal, Quebec) scored two goals and assisted on two others for four points. Freshman forward Kenny Simon (Norwell, Mass./Philadelphia Revolution) also finished with four points (1-3-4). Junior forward Billy Tsekos (Montreal, Quebec/Vaudrevil Mustangs) (1-2-3), senior forward Mike Foy (Markham, Ontario/Welland Canadians) (1-2-3), and sophomore forward Adam Place (Scarborough, Ontario/Bowmansville Eagles) (0-3-3) each registered a three-point night.

Freshman defenseman Dane Caracino (Belmont, Mass./New Hampton School) and freshman forward John Humphrey (Charlestown, Mass./New Hampton School) each scored for the Penmen.

In goal, Bears senior goaltender Kevin McFarland (St. Louis, Mo./Woodstock Slammers) made 13 saves and allowed two goals in the first 40 minutes to earn the win. Senior goalie Kevin Weiler (Binghamton, N.Y./Northwood Prep) stopped all five shots he saw in the final 20 minutes in his first appearance for the Bears.

Southern New Hampshire sophomore goalie Tyler Holske (Attleboro, Mass./South Shore Kings) made 23 saves and allowed five goals in the first 28:56. Penmen sophomore goalie Max Paluszynski (Moorestown, N.J./Wheatfield Jr. Blades) made 10 saves and allowed nine goals over the last 31:04 of the contest.

Potsdam outshot Southern New Hampshire 48-20 and went 5-9 on the power play. The Penmen were 0-3 on the man advantage.

“We were excited for the home opener, came out a little a little nervous and weren’t sharp early. As the game wore on, our execution got better,” said Bears Head Coach Chris Bernard. “The game gave us a chance to see what our young guys could do a little bit more on the offensive side of the puck. I credit our veterans a lot for leading the way and our young guys for making the most of their chances.”

The Bears are back in action on Saturday, Nov. 5, when they host defending SUNYAC Champion Plattsburgh at 7 p.m.