BUFFALO — Nationally No.13-ranked Buffalo State received goals from a pair of freshman and dominated the third period, but it was not enough in tonight’s season opener, as visiting Fredonia skated away with a 4-2 victory.
The Bengals struck first mid-way through the opening period when a point shot by Collin O’Connor (Kankakee, IL/Providence Catholic) slipped through a screen and found its way to the back of the net. The Blue Devils bounced back just 10 seconds later, capitalizing on a defensive breakdown after a Bengal defender lost his stick, evening the score at 1-1. Fredonia took its first lead of the game 4:27 into the second period when a rebound bounced off the skate of a Buffalo State player and across the goal line. This time it was Buffalo State with the quick response as freshman Anthony Passero (Fort Erie, ON/Lakeshore) ripped a shot into the top of the net just 59 seconds later to even the score. Fredonia pulled ahead for good, however, with a power-play marker with four minutes remaining in the middle frame.
The Bengals dominated the final stanza, but could not convert on 17 shots and three man-advantage opportunities, and Fredonia added a late power-play empty-netter to seal the victory.
Buffalo State finished the game with a 39-30 advantage in shots. Mike DeLaVergne (Pawling, NY/Pawling) made 26 saves for the Bengals, and Brody Power (Toronto, ON/Upper Canada College), Zach Remers (Clarence, NY/Canisius) and Latrell Charleson (Surrey, BC/Delview) each picked up assists in the loss. The Bengals finished 0 for 6 on the power play.
The Bengals and Blue Devils will clash again Saturday night in Fredonia at 7 p.m.
from BuffaloStateAthletics.com via IFTTT
