The Geneseo Ice Knights traveled to face SUNY Plattsburgh on Nov. 8 and SUNY Potsdam on Nov. 9, going 1-1 on the weekend. The trek up north is an important one to head coach Chris Schultz, for it takes a lot out of the team. Considering that the same trip last year gave Geneseo two losses, Schultz is happy to have gone 1-1.
“Selfishly, I’m glad we can get it over with early this year before the winter really sets in,” he said.
The Ice Knights walked into Plattsburgh, where they haven’t won a game since February 2007, after scoring 12 goals in two games. Mid-week injuries sustained by junior Zack Martin and senior Jonathan Sucese made the chances of beating the Cardinals that much more difficult.
From the get-go, the Ice Knights never seemed totally comfortable. An early penalty committed by sophomore Nate Brown allowed Plattsburgh senior Barry Roytman to find the back of the net, past goalie sophomore Nick Horrigan. In the games against Morrisville State College, the Ice Knights penalty kill defense was solid, allowing just three goals in 17 power plays. Against Plattsburgh, though, the Ice Knights gave up two goals in five power plays.
First-year Stephen Collins continued his strong play, scoring from his knees in the slot to bring Geneseo within two goals at 3-1.
“If he wasn’t the best player on the ice, I don’t know who was,” assistant coach Kris Heeres said.
But mental mistakes put Geneseo away, the team losing 4-1 and continuing the winless streak in Plattsburgh.
Geneseo headed to Potsdam the next day, looking to get back on the winning side.
Junior Tyler Brickler scored twice for Geneseo, once at the end of the first and once early in the second period – a time difference of only 5 minutes, 30 seconds. Junior Justin Scharfe earned credit for the assist on both goals.
First-year Ryan Stanimir added a third goal for the Ice Knights early in the third, before icing the game with an empty netter in the final minute, his fourth of the season. Geneseo skated off with a 4-1 win.
“They wanted to play rough and run us out of the building, and we weren’t going to let them do that,” Stanimir said.
The win was the 100th of Schultz’s coaching career at Geneseo.
At 7 p.m. Friday Nov. 15, Geneseo will travel to the Hobart College Statesmen for a nonleague game.