So far this season, the Ice Knights have skated themselves to a record of 5-3-1. The team has been unable to put together a full, 60-minute game this year, but they have shown the skills to prove that they’re a sound hockey team. Despite an excellent start, the Ice Knights couldn’t make the 60-minute effort to put away the winless SUNY Cortland Red Dragons when they faced off on Nov. 21. Geneseo took a disappointing loss that will no doubt come back to haunt them in the conference standings at the end of the year. Despite solid pressure on offense through the first 30 minutes, unnecessary penalties and the inability to finish against a hungry team resulted in a loss. With that loss, the Ice Knights have proven that if they don’t come out and play hard every night, they can lose to anyone.
After the loss to Cortland, the Ice Knights showed their potential as a team. With a rematch of last season’s SUNYAC Tournament finals, Geneseo won a 2-1 battle on the road with the 2013-14 SUNYAC champion SUNY Oswego Lakers on Nov. 25.
Handing the Lakers their first loss of the season, senior forward Tyler Brickler and sophomore forward Connor Anthoine each scored goals to lead the Ice Knights to victory. With all the goals being scored in the final period, the Ice Knights showed their ability to defend and counter a high-flying, fast-paced Laker attack. They played 60 hard-fought minutes, something they couldn’t do against Cortland.
If the Ice Knights took the attitude and determination they had against Oswego and used it against Cortland, they would’ve probably blown Cortland off the rink. The win at Oswego proved that the Ice Knights have the skills to beat anyone.
Geneseo ended a three-game road stand with a trip to Nazareth College to take on the Golden Flyers on Tuesday Dec. 2. While attempting to come out with a winning re cord on the road trip, the Ice Knights once again fell short with a 1-1 tie—the first tie for Geneseo since 2012. Although it’s not a loss, the Ice Knights could’ve taken another step in the right direction with a win. The inability to fire on all cylinders as a squad led to a draw with a very mediocre Nazareth team.
With home games against SUNY Fredonia on Friday Dec. 5 and Buffalo State University on Saturday Dec. 6, the Ice Knights must use the home ice advantage they have been unable to harness thus far this season. There is no doubt that head coach Chris Schultz and company will prepare one game at a time, like they have done all season. If the Ice Knights fail to earn wins at home at these two games, it may doom them when it comes to playoff time.
If the Ice Knights can earn two wins at home and find their stride, they can take off and will find themselves in the same spot they were last year—with a chance at the SUNYAC conference title.