Friday, April 26, 2024 | St. Lawrence County, NY
CORTLAND, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (8-14-2, 6-9-0 SUNYAC) was denied a chance to clinch a SUNYAC playoff spot with a 6-3 defeat at Cortland (6-17-1, 4-10-1) on Friday night. Senior …
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CORTLAND, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (8-14-2, 6-9-0 SUNYAC) was denied a chance to clinch a SUNYAC playoff spot with a 6-3 defeat at Cortland (6-17-1, 4-10-1) on Friday night. Senior captain Sy Nutkevitch registered two assists to lead the Bears and record the 100th and 101st points of his career.
Senior forward Mike Foy got Potsdam off to a strong start with a shorthanded goal just 4:43 into the contest. Nutkevitch assisted on the play. Nearly three minutes later Nick Zappia knotted the score with an unassisted marker. Sophomore defenseman Nick Avgerinos put the Bears out in front 2-1 on the man advantage at 9:14 with assists from sophomore forward Adam Place and Nutkevitch. Potsdam took the 2-1 lead into the break.
The Bears were unable to capitalize on several power plays to open the second period and Peter Pompado made them pay. At the 7:47 mark, Pompado evened the game on a deflection during four-on four play. Zappia scored his second of the contest almost five minutes later to give the Red Dragons a 3-2 advantage. Zappia shot the puck from behind the net and it deflected off a Potsdam defenseman and into the goal. Bears freshman goaltender Dylan Ellis was then replaced by senior goalie Kevin McFarland.
Junior assistant captain Matt Viola tied the game 3-3 at 7:46 of the final period with helpers from freshman forwards Vinny Buttitta and Kenny Simon. Just when the Bears seemed poised to take control of the contest Chris Kaleta forced a Potsdam turnover and scored the eventual game-winner. Adam Bevilacqua added some insurance at 17:40 and Kaleta iced the game with an empty netter with just 34 seconds remaining.
In goal, Cortland’s Mike Reilly made 25 saves for the victory. Ellis made 14 saves and allowed three goals in the first 32:21. McFarland was the tough luck loser with 16 saves and two goals against in 26:19. Potsdam was 1-9 on the power play, while the Red Dragons were 0-3.
Potsdam can still grab the final playoff spot with a victory at No. 1 ranked Oswego tomorrow night or a Brockport loss at Morrisville. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
