Ryan Kangas
scored the game winning goal with less than 90 seconds remaining in
regulation to lift the College at Brockport ice hockey team over #5
UMASS Boston in the opening round of the 51st Codfish Bowl in Boston,
Mass.
Brockport (5-5-2) entered the third period with a 2-1 lead
over Boston (9-2-1) but the Beacons scored on the first shift even the
game at two. The Golden Eagles were outshot 17-3 in the third period
alone but Kangas proved it was quality over quantity that mattered.
With overtime looming, Kangas and Tim Kielich found themselves with a strong two-on-two opportunity. After receiving a pass from Chad Cummings,
Kielich passed the puck to Kangas at the right face off circle who
rifled a shot to the top shelf to give Brockport a 3-2 lead with 1:21
remaining.
Strong defense from the Golden Eagles in the final minute of
play held the Beacons to one shot as Brockport held on for the win.
"Opening the second half of the year with a win was huge for us," remarked Head Coach Brian Dickinson, "… and beating a ranked opponent makes it even better."
Senior Jared Lockhurst
had a season-high 48 saves and kept the Beacons offense scoreless on
three power play opportunities including two in the second period.
The Golden Eagles started the game on a high note, scoring just four minutes in. Brian Hurlimann
passed the puck across the left face off circle to Kangas on the right
side of the net who found himself with an open net. Kangas one timed it
to give Brockport an early 1-0 lead. Nieuwendyk also picked up an
assist on the play.
Midway through the first period Boston had a
three-on-one breakaway but Lockhurst stood tall in net and made a pad
save. Moments later the Beacons scored to even the score at one.
With just over a minute remaining in the first period, Chris Luker
sent a sharp pass to Nieuwendyk who drove through the middle lane. The
goaltender made the initial save on Nieuwendyk's shot but Kangas one
timed the rebound to give Brockport a 2-1 lead entering the first
intermission.
Kangas finished with two goals and one assist while
Nieuwendyk picked up two assists. Hurlimann recorded one goal while
Luker and Cummings each had one assist. The Golden Eagles were outshot
50-21 but Lockhurst allowed only two goals while stopping 48 shots.
The
Golden Eagles advance to tomorrow's Championship of the 51st annual
Codfish Bowl which is the nations second-longest running college hockey
tournament. The Championship is set for 4 p.m. Sunday with Brockport
facing the winner of Johnson and Wales University against Westfield
State University.
