POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (9-5-2) got goals from senior captain Todd Thomas (Davidsville, Pa./Hartford Wolfpack) and senior forward Jake Rivera (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Hartford Wolfpack) to rally past Utica College (8-6-2) for a 2-1 victory on Saturday night. The Bears are now 5-0 at Maxcy Ice Arena this season.

The contest was physical between the two teams from the outset. Potsdam outshot the Pioneers 11-8 in the first period. When the offenses were able to generate shots on goal, the two goaltenders shut them down. The Bears were unable to capitalize on two power plays in the first period.

The second period looked much like the first until about the six-minute mark. The first great chance of middle stanza came off a shorthanded breakaway from junior forward Tommy Telesca (Selden, N.Y./New York Bobcats). After nearly being caught by a backchecking Pioneer, Telesca spun away and ripped a shot on goal. However, Utica freshman goalie Michael Fredrick (Lethbridge, Alberta/Brooks Bandits) sticked the puck away. The Pioneers struck first at the 13:07 mark as sophomore forward Riley Eagan (Lakewood, Ohio/Philadelphia) tucked a feed from freshman forward Justin Derlago (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Selkirk) underneath Bears sophomore goaltender Brendan McMenimen (Merrimac, Mass./Islanders Hockey Club) for a 1-0 lead. Potsdam went on the power play seconds later. The Bears were unable to score, but picked up momentum. They finally tied the score on the power play with 27 seconds left in the period. Sophomore forward Dylan Vander Esch (San Jose, Calif./Hartford Wolfpack) picked up the loose puck behind the net, sent it to the right to sophomore defenseman Kyle Thacker (Mississauga, Ontario/North York Rangers). Thacker the found Thomas in front, who knocked the puck past an out of position Fredrick.

Potsdam got the game-winner on a similar play 1:50 into the third period. Thomas sent the puck into the right corner where senior forward Matt Thompson (Anchorage, Alaska/Kenai River Brown Bears) picked it up. He skated to the left side of the net and found Rivera in the slot. There, Rivera beat Fredrick again. While the Bears' offense wasn't able to solve Fredrick for the rest of the contest, the defense was stifling, allowing just six shots in the entire 20 minutes. Utica pulled Fredrick with 1:03 remaining and again with 46 seconds left, but never got a final shot on goal with the extra attacker on the ice.

McMenimen was sharp between the pipes, despite just needing 21 saves to dispatch the Pioneers. Frederick was nearly as good, turning aside 36 shots on the night. Potsdam was 1-for-5 on the power play and the Pioneers were just 0-for-1.

The Bears are back in action next weekend with a home-and-home series with Route 11 Rival SUNY Canton. Potsdam faces the Kangaroos at 7 p.m. on Friday night and then at the same time in Maxcy on Saturday night.