Junior forward Gordon Helmuth races a SUNY Fredonia player to a loose puck in their game on Saturday Nov. 23. The Knights fell to visiting Williams 6-4 on Sunday Dec. 1 (Michaela Yanwromer / staff photographer).
A winter storm forced many Geneseo students to return to campus early, but the Geneseo Ice Knights were on campus even earlier for a weekend slate against two Massachusetts teams, the Amherst College Mammoths and the Williams College Ephs.
Without students on campus, the Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena was a bit more barren than typical games without the presence of the Blue Crew or thousands of passionate Ice Knights fans. Another difference for these games was that puck drop was at 3 p.m. instead of the typical 7 p.m. start.
The weekend matinee caused a bit of disruption for the Ice Knights, according to senior forward Tyson Empey. He admitted, “most guys have a routine they stick to, whether it’s napping in the afternoon or eating a certain pregame meal at a certain time. The 3 p.m. puck-drop messes those things up a bit and we need to adjust our routine [and] schedules a bit.”
Just after 3 p.m. on Nov. 30, the Knights quickly found themselves trailing the Mammoths. In the second period, Geneseo got back on track with two goals, one on the power play from sophomore defenseman Matthew Doran and one from senior forward Conlan Keenan.
Doran’s goal was noteworthy because it was the first powerplay goal Amherst had given up this season. Coming into the game, the Mammoths had killed off all 17 penalties. The Knights’ powerplay was just a bit too overwhelming, reminding the country why the Knights are the most fearsome powerplay unit in the nation with a 37.88 percent (25-66) success rate on the power play.
However, being up a player is not the only way Geneseo can score goals. Geneseo added onto their lead in the third period in an unorthodox way, with a shorthand goal from Empey. He said, “I noticed a sloppy pass was going to the guy I was covering at the blue line. It was a lucky bounce over his stick that created a race for a loose puck that ultimately lead to a breakaway and a goal.”
The shorthanded tally proved to be the difference as the Mammoths scored late in the game, making the score 3-2. The Knights were able to hold on for the final three minutes thanks to the stellar goaltending from junior goalie Aaron MacKay, who made 23 saves on the night.
It was a quick turnaround for the Knights as they took on the Ephs on Sunday Dec. 1. Again, the Knights conceded a goal to their opponent. It was the fourth consecutive game that Geneseo allowed the first goal. Unlike the previous two games, Geneseo was unable to overcome the early deficit and eventually fell with a score of 6-4, despite goals from senior forward Dan Bosio, junior forward Carson Kelley, a shorthanded goal from junior forward Levi Wunder and a powerplay goal from Empey.
Despite the loss, there was much to write home about. For example, Empey’s second goal of the weekend helped him earn PrestoSports.com Player of the Week honors. Also, Wunder’s shorthanded goal was doubly noteworthy as it was the Knights’ second shorthanded goal in as many games, and it was Wunder’s first goal with the Knights after transferring from Division I Alabama-Huntsville.
Scoring two shorthanded goals in back-to-back games is an impressive feat. Empey revealed how the Knights have been able to score so many shorthanded goals by assessing the situation and deciding whether to clear the puck down the ice or carry it for a shorthanded opportunity. He said, “if you notice some room or that the power play is anticipating a dump, you can kill off some valuable time by hanging onto the puck and waiting until they try to get it back. You just have to be aware of the space and where everyone is at so you don’t make a costly turnover.”
The Knights’ next goal, no matter if it is shorthanded or at even strength, will be an exciting one as their game on Friday Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. is the Teddy Bear Toss. Fans should bring new or gently-used stuffed animals to throw onto the ice once the Knights score their first goal of the game.