Ice Knights drop two in North Country

The injury plagued Geneseo Ice Knights lost two games on their trip to the North Country, falling to Potsdam, 3-7, and being shutout by Plattsburgh, 0-2, last weekend.

“We’re decimated with injury, it’s to the point where we had two defensemen playing forward,” head coach Chris Schultz said. “After a while it starts to really wear on players. They know we’re not playing with a strong lineup.”

Potsdam took an early 2-0 lead against Geneseo less than four minutes into the first period. The Ice Knights then committed four penalties later in the first, but were able to kill each of them off.

Juniors Brandon Angotti and Blake O’Connor each scored their first goal of the season in the second period to tie the game at two. Just 16 seconds after Geneseo tied the game, Potsdam scored to take a 3-2 lead.

Less than two minutes after that, sophomore Rich Manley received a five-minute hitting from behind game misconduct penalty. On the ensuing five minute power play, the Bears scored three times to put the game away.

Senior Cory Gershon was then pulled from goal after allowing six goals and making 19 saves. Junior Adrian Rubeniuk came in and allowed a goal on the only shot he faced before being pulled for first year Bryan Haude. Haude finished the game and made five saves without allowing a goal.

“We’ve never really had a goalie issue before,” Schultz said. “I’m glad it’s happening now and not later.”

Junior Kaz Iwamoto scored later in the second period to make the score 7-3.

The next night in Plattsburgh the Ice Knights were shutout by the Cardinals. Plattsburgh scored two quick goals in the second period for the only goals of the game. Senior Stefan Decosse was scratched a half hour before the start of the game, requiring the Ice Knights to start first year defensemen Jesper Fahlen and Jack Caradonna at forward, who created several goal scoring chances.

“They’re great skaters,” Schultz added. “One of the things that defensemen that are good skaters want to do is move the puck up ice and skate the puck and you saw both Jesper and Jack do that. They did a good job filling in for some injured guys.”

Rubeniuk made 34 saves in net, taking the loss.

“I thought he (Rubeniuk) was outstanding tonight,” Schultz said. “He stood up to the test. He knew there was a lot riding on his performance.”

Geneseo’s next game is December 2 at home against Morrisville before they head on the road to Hobart on December 3 for a non-conference matchup. The extra week off should help the team get healthy.

“We’re going to get a bunch of guys back and I’m really excited for it,” Schultz added. “We’re just really looking forward to getting our best lineup out on the ice.”