BUFFALO — Freshman Roberts Smits (Riga, Latvia) had a goal and an assist as nationally-ranked No. 13/14 and fourth-seeded Buffalo State prevailed 2-1 over visiting fifth-seeded Fredonia in a SUNYAC Quarterfinal game tonight at the Ice Arena.
After a scoreless first period, Smits opened the scoring with his fifth of the season on the power play, ripping a faceoff win by Anthony Passero (Fort Erie, ON/Lakeshore) into the top corner. The Blue Devils evened the score before the second intermission, however, when a low shot slid off the right post and into the back of the net. Another freshman reclaimed the lead for Buffalo State early in the third period when Collin O’Connor (Kankakee, IL/Providence Catholic) fired a blast from the point that found its way through the Fredonia netminder. Brody Power (Toronto, ON/Upper Canada College) and Smits collected the assists. The Bengals surrendered just seven third period shots as Mike DeLaVergne (Pawling, NY/Pawling) was able to close the door and preserve the victory. DeLaVergne finished with 18 saves in the win as Buffalo State held a 29-19 advantage in shots on goal for the game. The Bengals finished 1 for 5 on the power play, while Fredonia was just 0 for 2.
Buffalo State will advance to the semifinals at top-seeded Oswego on Saturday at 7 p.m. No. 3 Geneseo, who defeated No. 6 Brockport tonight, 7-0, will play in the other semifinal at No. 2 Plattsburgh also on Saturday. The winners will face off in the title game on Saturday, March 4 at the highest remaining seed.
from BuffaloStateAthletics.com via IFTTT
