The Geneseo men's ice hockey team defeated SUNY Brockport last Friday, 2-1. The win improved the team to 7-6-1 in SUNYAC play, leaving them 4-0-1 over their last five games.
The Ice Knights got off to an early lead when senior Sebastian Panetta scored his fifth goal of the year off a pass from fellow senior Dan Brown. Later in the first period, Geneseo took a two-goal lead on a power play when sophomore David Arduin cleaned up a rebound in front of the net off a shot from the point by classmate Jimmy Powers.
"He knows where to be at the right time," head coach Chris Schultz said of Arduin's recent success; something Arduin attributed to getting to know his teammates better.
Brockport got within one goal early in the second period with a power-play goal of their own, but never got any closer. The Ice Knights limited Brockport to just two power plays the entire game and that discipline helped lead Geneseo to victory.
"Our team has been very disciplined lately," sophomore defenseman Jake Yard said. "It has limited the other team's power plays and scoring chances, allowing us to hold our opponents to fewer and fewer goals."
"Team discipline is something coach has tried to instill in us all year," Arduin added. He went on to give further credit to the team's goalies, calling them "the last line of defense." Sophomore Cody Gershon got the win for Geneseo by allowing only one goal and making 29 saves. Gershon is 3-0 in his last three starts and has let through just one goal in each of the last two games.
The Ice Knights finish their season at home this weekend against SUNY Cortland on Friday and unanimous No. 1 SUNY Oswego on Saturday. According to Schultz, the key against the Division-III-best Lakers will be "playing responsible defense, blocking shots, and staying out of the penalty box."
Saturday night is also senior night and the team will honor those team members prior to the game.