POTSDAM, N.Y.—Senior assistant captain Dylan Vander Esch (San Jose, Calif./Hartford Wolfpack) erased a 1-0 third period deficit with a shorthanded breakaway to help the SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (7-8-4, 3-6-1) forge a 1-1 tie with No. 8 SUNY Geneseo (12-4-3, 7-2-3 on Bear Pride Night. Bears senior goalie Brendan McMenimen (Merrimack, Mass./Islanders Hockey Club) was outstanding with 38 saves.

The first period was played physically and at a quick pace. The first great scoring opportunity came at about the 12:30 mark. After a shot from the point was blocked in front of the Bears net, Knights sophomore Andrew Romano (Drexel Hill, Pa./Johnstown Tomahawks) fired the loose puck on goal. McMenimen managed to knock the puck out of danger with his left pad. Geneseo finally broke through at the 18:37 mark as sophomore forward Conlan Keenan (Penfield, N.Y./Jersey Hitmen) finished a perfect pass in the slot. The Bears best chances of the period came in the final seconds as freshman forward Brett Horn (Cary, N.C./Humbolt Broncos) nearly jammed the puck past Knights junior goalie Devin McDonald (Calgary, Alberta./Camrose Kodiaks). However, McDonald held on and Geneseo led 1-0 after one period.

The second period featured more clean, physical and fast play. Geneseo outshot the Bears 12-11, but McMenimen and McDonald combined to pitch a shutout in the middle 20 minutes. With about eight minutes left McDonald stopped a blast from Potsdam senior forward Joey Gilhooly (Brooklyn, N.Y./New York Bobcats). He then robbed Horn on the rebound to preserve the lead.

Geneseo entered the third period down a man, but was able to kill the penalty. The Knights followed up with a couple chances in close, but McMenimen handled them without a problem. At the 12:35 mark, the Bears were called for a cross check and Geneseo nearly extended its lead. With just under six minutes to play, junior forward Arthur Gordon (Edmonton, Alberta/Sherwood Park Crusaders) tested McMenimen twice from the top of the crease, but again the goaltender came up big. Seconds later, Vander Esch stole the puck in Potsdam's zone, went the length of the ice and beat McDonald for the shorthanded equalizer. The Knights outshot the Bears 13-6 in the third, but the score was knotted at 1-1 at the end of regulation.

Each team had a chance to win it in overtime. Gilhooly ripped a shot into McDonald's gut from the right side of the net at the 2:30 mark. With just over a minute left, Romano tried to jam a wraparound past McMenimen's right pad, but had no luck.

McDonald stopped 26 shots.

Geneseo outshot the Bears 39-27 and went 0-for-2 on the power play. Potsdam was 0-for-1 on the man advantage.

The Bears host Brockport tomorrow night at 7 p.m. on DHC Night for the Fight Against Cancer.