Ice Knights defeat Potsdam, fall to Plattsburgh

The Geneseo Ice Knights continued their push towards the SUNYAC playoffs, defeating Potsdam, 4-3, on February 10, and losing to Plattsburgh, 2-1, on February 11.

Geneseo opened the weekend with a 4-3 win over Potsdam, in a game with huge playoff implications.

“We needed this game in a big way,” head coach Chris Schultz said. “The league’s tight right now. You know it’s going to come right down to the end.”

Geneseo started the game off strong, scoring four goals in the first period, including two on the power play.

“We did work hard enough, we did create chances,” Schultz added. “Enough to make them take penalties and we were able to capitalize on those penalties in the first period.”

Senior Danny Scagnelli opened the scoring with a power play goal five minutes into the first period. After Potsdam tied the game at one, junior Ryan Bulach added a five-on-three power play goal to give the Ice Knights the lead for good. Geneseo kept the pressure on for the entire period as junior Corbin Rosmarin and first year Justin Scharfe added goals later in the period.

Geneseo lost some of their momentum in the second and third periods after taking penalties. Potsdam was only able to score one power play goal, but being short-handed took away offensive zone possession time from the Ice Knights, who dominated this category when the game was even-strength.

“Discipline is something we’ve struggled a little big with,” Schultz said. “When you work hard and you play physical, you’re going to take penalties sometimes.”

Geneseo was able to hold on for the 4-3, despite several good chances from Potsdam in the third period. Senior Cory Gershon held strong, making 28 saves for the win.

Geneseo lost to Plattsburgh, 2-1, the next night. Plattsburgh came out strong, scoring twice in the first five minutes of the game.

“We came out that first five minutes and we were unfortunately a little bit flat,” assistant coach Kris Heeres said. “They’re a good hockey team. They’re going to make you pay. They did that and after the first five minutes I thought we really picked up, we were right with them the entire game.”

Geneseo has chances throughout the third period, as Plattsburgh took three penalties right after the second intermission and two more penalties in the last three minutes. Geneseo was unable to convert and finished 0-7 on the power play for the game.

Geneseo created numerous opportunities in the last part of the game, starting with senior Jonathan Redlick’s goal with 12 minutes left. However, Plattsburgh’s goalie did not allow Geneseo to tie the game.

“He’s making the big saves, and ultimately he’s giving that team a lot of confidence,” Heeres added. “They play very disciplined back there and it was hard to generate opportunities. In the last 12 minutes, I think we got a couple breaks and guys really put their pedal down and tried to scratch back the best we could.”

Senior Cory Gershon made 21 saves in the loss for the Ice Knights.

February 11 was also senior night, and the team honored their eight seniors. Defenseman Scagnelli, Jake Yard and captain Jimmy Powers, forwards Redlick, Stefan Decosse, Clint Olson, and David Arduin, and Gershon in goal.

Heeres believes that it was this class that helped the program recover so well from their financial aid violations in 2009.

“They’ve meant the world to this program,” he said. “When we went through the violation there it was this group of guys that decided to come together and make it work. Unfortunately, a lot of them are paying a lot of money in comparison to man, many, many other institutions at the Division III level and they chose to be here. I think it’s a testament to our institution, to our program, and to these guys, and ultimately their families.”

Geneseo is now 12-11-1 on the season and 6-8-1 in SUNYAC play. They finish the regular season on February 17 at Morrisville.