It's amazing what a college kid will do for a free T-shirt. Brockport students filled Tuttle Arena against Geneseo for what was, by far, the largest crowd of the season, Friday, Feb. 12.
"I caught myself at one point in the third period just gazing over to the other side and chuckling to myself on how awesome this is," head coach Brian Dickinson said. "Our players were into it, the fans were into it, and it was a great atmosphere for a college hockey game."
Unfortunately, the crowd could not propel its hockey team to victory, as Brockport dropped its second game to Geneseo this year both by a 2-1 score.
Brockport out-shot and outplayed Geneseo for most of the game, but the scoreboard didn't reflect it. In the first period, Brockport won the shot battle 14-8, but Geneseo led 2-0.
"We out-played them, out-hit them, but we made a couple mistakes in the first period," Dickinson said. "It was one of those nights where the hockey Gods were not on our side, but I thought we controlled play in all three zones."
After Sebastian Panetta gave Geneseo a 1-0 lead, David Arduin made it 2-0 on a power play goal.
"That second goal was tough," goalie Todd Sheridan said. "The puck was bouncing around and he was able to find it and put a good shot on."
Brockport got on the board in the second period when Sean O'Malley wristed in a shot on the power play. The goal ended a 12 game goal-less streak for O'Malley. Brockport will need him to score more in the playoffs around the corner.
Brockport came close to scoring again when Brett Jendra fired a bullet from the blue line that sailed just above the crossbar. If it were inches lower, Jendra would have had Geneseo goalie, Cory Gershon, beat.
Gershon was the best player on the ice, stopping 29 shots. Sheridan made 27 saves for Brockport.
"The crowd was unbelievable the whole game," Sheridan said. "We knew it would be tough playing them because they had nothing to lose."
Sheridan was referring to the new sanctions against Geneseo and Buffalo State, who will be ineligible for the playoffs for awarding a high number of grants to student athletes. Geneseo is currently fourth in SUNYAC standings but will not have a postseason.
Brockport didn't have starting defenseman Gregg Amato, due to a shoulder injury. If he doesn't play next week, it's unfortunate because they will be playing the No.1 team in the country next week, Oswego.
It won't be just another game however, because next week is "Saves For A Cure" weekend. "Saves For A Cure" is a non-profit organization started by Sheridan three years ago after he survived a battle with cancer in 2005.
"When I was in for treatment I knew I was going to be fine, but seeing what the younger kids are going through was hard to watch," Sheridan said. "They are some of the bravest kids you could ever meet. I just want to make it more of a home environment for them as they go through the battle.
"We're not just giving it to the hospital, because that will just pay for salaries and we're not giving it for research to find the magic pill. Everyone is looking for the magic pill. We want to make the kids comfortable."
All the money raised will go to Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
The largest moneymaker for the charity comes from the jersey auction. Brockport will be wearing special black jerseys which will be given to the highest bidder after the game. This raised over $2,500 last year.
Local businesses have vowed they will donate for every save a Brockport goaltender makes this season.
"Technically, it's money for every save, but we'll just take money," Sheridan said. "We will take anything you want to give us because every little bit helps."
"I caught myself at one point in the third period just gazing over to the other side and chuckling to myself on how awesome this is," head coach Brian Dickinson said. "Our players were into it, the fans were into it, and it was a great atmosphere for a college hockey game."
Unfortunately, the crowd could not propel its hockey team to victory, as Brockport dropped its second game to Geneseo this year both by a 2-1 score.
Brockport out-shot and outplayed Geneseo for most of the game, but the scoreboard didn't reflect it. In the first period, Brockport won the shot battle 14-8, but Geneseo led 2-0.
"We out-played them, out-hit them, but we made a couple mistakes in the first period," Dickinson said. "It was one of those nights where the hockey Gods were not on our side, but I thought we controlled play in all three zones."
After Sebastian Panetta gave Geneseo a 1-0 lead, David Arduin made it 2-0 on a power play goal.
"That second goal was tough," goalie Todd Sheridan said. "The puck was bouncing around and he was able to find it and put a good shot on."
Brockport got on the board in the second period when Sean O'Malley wristed in a shot on the power play. The goal ended a 12 game goal-less streak for O'Malley. Brockport will need him to score more in the playoffs around the corner.
Brockport came close to scoring again when Brett Jendra fired a bullet from the blue line that sailed just above the crossbar. If it were inches lower, Jendra would have had Geneseo goalie, Cory Gershon, beat.
Gershon was the best player on the ice, stopping 29 shots. Sheridan made 27 saves for Brockport.
"The crowd was unbelievable the whole game," Sheridan said. "We knew it would be tough playing them because they had nothing to lose."
Sheridan was referring to the new sanctions against Geneseo and Buffalo State, who will be ineligible for the playoffs for awarding a high number of grants to student athletes. Geneseo is currently fourth in SUNYAC standings but will not have a postseason.
Brockport didn't have starting defenseman Gregg Amato, due to a shoulder injury. If he doesn't play next week, it's unfortunate because they will be playing the No.1 team in the country next week, Oswego.
It won't be just another game however, because next week is "Saves For A Cure" weekend. "Saves For A Cure" is a non-profit organization started by Sheridan three years ago after he survived a battle with cancer in 2005.
"When I was in for treatment I knew I was going to be fine, but seeing what the younger kids are going through was hard to watch," Sheridan said. "They are some of the bravest kids you could ever meet. I just want to make it more of a home environment for them as they go through the battle.
"We're not just giving it to the hospital, because that will just pay for salaries and we're not giving it for research to find the magic pill. Everyone is looking for the magic pill. We want to make the kids comfortable."
All the money raised will go to Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
The largest moneymaker for the charity comes from the jersey auction. Brockport will be wearing special black jerseys which will be given to the highest bidder after the game. This raised over $2,500 last year.
Local businesses have vowed they will donate for every save a Brockport goaltender makes this season.
"Technically, it's money for every save, but we'll just take money," Sheridan said. "We will take anything you want to give us because every little bit helps."
Source:
http://media.www.thestylus.net/media/storage/paper1380/news/2010/02/17/Sports/Massive.Crowd.Sees.Ice.Hockey.Fall.Short-3872536-page2.shtml
