Buff State onslaught leads to early exit for Golden Eagles

By Brandon Wood

@Brandonwood27

A 7-2 loss and an early exit from the SUNYAC playoffs was all the College at Brockport’s ice hockey team could manage in its first trip to the playoffs in four seasons against Buffalo State College Wednesday, Feb. 26.

Numerous defensive breakdowns and five goals for Buffalo State in the second period doomed the Golden Eagles (10-13-3 overall), which trailed 4-0 at one point in the game.

“This is not the way you want to end the season,” Brockport Head Coach Brian Dickinson said after seeing a season long four-game winning streak come to an end.

Buffalo State freshman Nick Berst opened the scoring 13 minutes into the game and he also scored shorthanded with just one minute remaining to double the Bengals’ advantage. Brockport finished the season with a 2-11 record when allowing the first goal in all games this season, including the playoff game.

The Golden Eagles began to unravel in the second period, allowing all of Buffalo State’s five goals in the period on odd-man rushes and backdoor goals.

“A couple times we pinched in when we shouldn’t have,” sophomore defenseman Chad Cummings said. “A couple of bad bounces hopped over our sticks and they took it the other way and capitalized on their opportunities. That was just how it was going tonight, we couldn’t get a bounce to go our way.”

Bengals junior Dan Turgeon scored twice in the first ten minutes on odd-man rushes to make it 4-0 Buffalo State.

The Golden Eagles responded with two goals in a minute to cut the lead to 4-2.

Sophomore Chris Luker scored a power-play goal for Brockport 13 minutes into the period. Despite having six chances with a man advantage, the Golden Eagles’ No. 7 nationally ranked power play only scored once in the game.

Senior Chris Cangro added a goal one minute, 11 seconds later. Cangro was wide open to the left of the Buffalo State goal and buried the puck in the back of the net after a nice pass from senior Brendon Rothfuss across the crease.

The Bengals didn’t allow Brockport to get closer than two goals and put the game out of reach with three goals in three minutes late in the third period.

Junior Aaron Green allowed seven goals on 27 shots, but Dickinson said the number of goals Green gave up was misleading due to the amount of odd-man rushes the Bengals had.

“Couldn’t fault [Green] for anything,” Dickinson said. “You see 7-2, most coaches are probably looking to make a goalie change there but Green did such a fantastic job of getting us here with the run of four games he was nothing short of excellent. When they’re just constantly passing backdoor and we’re not picking guys up and they’re putting the puck in the empty side, that’s not something you can fault the goaltender for.”

Neither team scored in the final period of the game, but Dickinson said he liked how his team played in the final frame.

“I thought we did a great job in the third period after the way the second period went for us and we had some scoring chances but we couldn’t finish,” Dickinson said. “I was proud of the way we finished [the game].”

Brockport outshot the Bengals 14-10 in the third period.

The Golden Eagles will lose six members of their team to graduation, including Cangro, alternate captain Rothfuss and captain Matt DeLuca, who were all on the ice against the Bengals. Forwards Steve Sachman and Bobby Conner, and defenseman Sean Wallace are the other seniors on the team.

“It’s probably bittersweet for them,” Dickinson said. “It’s really never easy to end your career. These guys did something that the previous three senior classes weren’t able to do and that’s make it to the playoffs and that’s something to be proud of.”

Brockport downs Buffalo State for fourth straight win to end regular season

By Brandon Wood
@Brandonwood27

Another win for the College at Brockport’s ice hockey team has it on its longest winning streak since the 2009-10 season. Coincidentally, that’s the last time the Golden Eagles made the playoffs.

Brockport (10-12-3 overall, 7-8-1 SUNYAC) defeated Buffalo State College Saturday night 3-2 to lock up the No. 5 seed in the SUNYAC playoffs and set up a rematch with the No. 4 seed Bengals in Buffalo Wednesday night. It was Brockport’s fourth win in a row.

“To quote one of my favorite movies, Bull Durham, ‘Man it’s so much better than losing,’” Brockport Head Coach Brian Dickinson said of his team’s winning streak.

The Golden Eagles played all their seniors that were healthy scratches for the entirety of the second half of the season starting in January. Sophomore Shane Cavalieri, freshman Nate Pelligra and freshman Rob Hall all sat out Saturday to make space for seniors Steve Sachman, Bobby Conner and Sean Wallace.

“They showed a little bit of rust early, but that was to be expected,” Dickinson said. “They just got better as the game went on. Their line mates and defensive partners were talking to them a lot and we (the coaches) were communicating with them.

“We were reminding them to do all the little things we need to do because we knew they’d be tired after not seeing game action in a while. I was happy with all three of them and they all contributed to the win.”

Brockport opened the scoring seven minutes into the contest while on the power play when sophomore James Ryan found the back of the net. It was Ryan’s eighth goal of the season.

The Golden Eagles doubled their advantage five minutes into the second period when senior Chris Cangro and sophomore Chase Nieuwendyk had a 2-on-1 breakaway. Cangro fed the puck across the goalmouth to Nieuwendyk and he put the puck past senior Buffalo goalie Kevin Carr for his eighth goal of the season. Carr finished the game with 29 saves.

Buffalo found a way to beat junior goalie Aaron Green twice in less than a minute to tie the game late in the second period. Green made 32 total saves in his fourth straight game in net for the Golden Eagles, with Brockport winning all four. It was 2-2 after two periods.

The Golden Eagles proceeded to take two minor penalties immediately after Buffalo State tied it. Jeremy DeFazio was sent off for interference and on the ensuing faceoff for the Bengals’ power play, freshman Andrew Parks was sent to the box for crosschecking.

Down 5-on-3 for one minute, 52 seconds, Brockport found a way to keep Buffalo State out of the back of their net until the end of the second period. With 49 seconds remaining to kill in the 5-on-3 power play entering the third period, Dickinson told his team they would win if they killed off the penalties.

“I told the team ‘If you kill of this 5-on-3, we’re going to win this game,’ and they believed in it” Dickinson said.

Brockport successfully killed off the penalty early in the third period, and finished the game a perfect 7-for-7 on the penalty kill.

The Golden Eagles earned a power play chance of their own soon after, and freshman forward Nick Marinac played the role of hero for the Golden Eagles by burying the game-winning goal.

“Definitely not the hero, I’d give that title to James Ryan on the excellent pass,” Marinac said.

Marinac was all alone to the left of the net when Ryan sent the puck his way on a nice feed from the right slot for his fifth goal of the season. Brockport’s power play, ranked No. 7 in the nation entering the night, finished 2-for-4 on the night.

Marinac said Brockport needs to outwork Buffalo State in the upcoming rematch in the first round of the playoffs.

“Buffalo State is a really good team,” Marinac said. “They worked hard and we’re just going to have to match that and go a little bit beyond like we did tonight.”

Puck drop for Brockport’s first round playoff game is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday from Ice Arena at Buffalo State College.

Dickinson is class of Brockport coaches

By Brandon Wood
@Brandonwood27

Brian Dickinson, Head Coach of the College at Brockport's ice hockey team, just witnessed his team dominate SUNY Fredonia 4-1 and knew the rest of the scoreboards were in his team's favor of making the playoffs when he left the ice Friday night. Someone told him No. 12 SUNY Oswego was leading 4-2 in Potsdam right after the game, before post-game handshakes.

He shook the hands of his Assistant Coaches, Nick Unger and Greg Schwind, like he does after every game.

Instead of staying with his team in the locker room to witness the outcome of the Oswego vs. Potsdam game, Dickinson worked his way up to the press box to fulfill his nightly request for an interview with the campus radio. When he got there, he saw that Oswego was only up 4-3 against Potsdam. There was less than a minute remaining in the game and Potsdam had its goalie pulled.

"That's not what I want to see," Dickinson said with a laugh as he donned the headset for the interview.

Eventually, Oswego came off the bench and mobbed its goalie to celebrate the win. Dickinson was congratulated by the radio announcer, and several people from Brockport Athletics patted him on the back as they left the press box. Brockport was officially in the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, but Dickinson kept his same calm, cool composure that he always has.

Why wouldn't he?

Every time I talk with Dickinson he always seems to have the same outlook: If we didn't do it today, we can come out and do it tomorrow. And he seems to live by the "golden rule": One should treat others the way that one wants to be treated. It's instilled in his team's mind, and they talk the same way.

The locker room seemed happy after the game, but not satisfied with the playoffs being their only goal. They looked focused and hungry for more ice hockey this season. Beyond just the first round of the playoffs. They get that from their leadership.

Dickinson's a leader by example, and other Brockport coaches should be taking a page out of his book. He makes his team want to play hard for him.

In the past four years that I've known him, he hasn't changed his demeanor once when there could have been plenty of reason to. His team has struggled in the past three seasons, failing to make the playoffs on the season's last day each of the past two. Yet he remained positive, knowing he was trying to build for the future.

The future has finally arrived for Dickinson, and he's not just happy for himself, he's happy for his whole team. But that demeanor of his wouldn't have changed if something different happened Friday night. Even if his team somehow missed the playoffs this weekend, he'd still have the same attitude he's always had.

There'd be no backlash about criticism from his team, at least not openly. They might use it as motivation to work harder and they'd just strive to do it better the next time.

That's why Dickinson is the prototypical coach. If he could be cloned, Brockport should want as many of him around as possible. He makes the program and college look good.

Other coaches that rant and tirade about media need to take a gut-check. Perhaps the media is right about their teams, and they need to build for the future like Dickinson has by bringing in an excellent recruiter (Unger) and a roster of players that can win together.

It's like in the movie Miracle. You don't need the best players, you need the right ones. So many programs at Brockport don't have them or the right coaches, so they're set up to fail before the season even begins.

There are exceptions, sure. I can't write that every single Brockport team is bad and should be coached by someone else. But there are certain teams in shambles and have been for years. Where's the accountability? If not pointed out by the media, does that really mean everything is fine? No. It just means the media isn't doing its job properly.

Coach Dickinson may have been unlucky that I have covered his team these past two seasons, because I'm just a mean guy that writes and says mean things all the time. But it's been my pleasure, because he knows how to treat people correctly and so does his team.

Some other coaches haven't been able to stand me, openly berating me at times, all off the record of course.

But nothing ever from Dickinson. Or his coaching staff. Or his team.

Maybe it's rare at a Division III college for athletes or coaches to understand media relations, but it's horrendous here. Nobody seems to understand that student journalists are media too, and not everything can be roses and daisies. We aren't fans of your teams just because we go to school here. We're here to learn and we're supposed to write the truth. And sometimes the truth hurts.

You don't see Division I college coaches yelling at the media, it'd be turned into a spectacle too quickly. But since we're not on a level of national recognition, that's perfectly OK at the D-III level, right?

Dickinson's been patient through all the criticisms of his team through the years and didn't say anything. Now he has the last laugh. His team's in the playoffs.

Dickinson has earned his chance in the playoffs, and his team is clicking at the right time. Every hockey fan knows that it isn't the best team that always wins in hockey, it's the hottest ones.

You've earned your opportunity, Coach Dickinson. You had your team fighting its tail off these past three games. The road to the SUNYAC title isn't easy, but you wouldn't want it to be that way, would you?

Great moments are born from great opportunity. That's what your patience has brought you through these past few years. Now go out there and take it.

Brockport earns first playoff berth since 2009-10

By Brandon Wood
@Brandonwood27

For the first time in four seasons, the College at Brockport’s ice hockey team is going to the playoffs.

By defeating SUNY Fredonia 4-1 Friday night and getting some help from No. 12 SUNY Oswego defeating SUNY Potsdam, the Golden Eagles (9-12-3 overall, 6-8-1 SUNYAC) clinched a birth in this year’s SUNYAC tournament.

Brockport’s game ended about 10 minutes prior to Oswego’s win, so the team was together in the locker room waiting for official confirmation of its playoff berth.

“It was pretty amazing,” DeLuca said of his team’s locker room following the game. “When you think about it for four years straight, when you think about the amount people who said we couldn’t do it you sort of forget about all that for the past couple of weeks.

“We’ve just been in the zone for the past couple of weeks and it feels nice to have that moment to be able to say ‘Congratulations guys, you earned it,’ is something I’ll never forget.”

Similar to last week when it defeated Oswego for the first time in 11 years, this was Brockport’s first win against Fredonia since 2005.

Brockport scored three goals in two minutes, 48 seconds halfway through the first period to jump out to a 3-0 lead.

Chris Luker, the Golden Eagles’ top defenseman in points opened the scoring ten minutes into the contest when he skated through the right circle and wristed a shot into the back of the net.

Less than a minute later, Jonathan Demme scored what would be the game-winning goal. It was also Demme’s first goal of the season.

“There was a scramble right in the slot and [sophomore defenseman Chad] Cummings came up with the puck, made a nice play and got it to me,” Demme said. “I just got the shot off, luckily it didn’t get blocked next thing you know it’s in the back of the net.”

Sophomore forward Jesse Facchini scored on the power play to make it 3-0 with seven minutes remaining in the first period when he tipped a blast from the point by junior defenseman Bobby Chayka. Brockport’s power play, which entered the game ranked No. 7 nationally, finished the game 1-for-3.

Brockport made it 4-0 with five minutes remaining in the second period when senior Chris Cangro scored. This fourth goal chased Fredonia’s freshman goalie Jeff Flagler from the game, yielding four goals on 18 shots. His replacement, freshman Chris Eiserman made all nine possible saves after entering the game.

The lone goal from Fredonia came 50 seconds into the final frame after a scramble in front of the Brockport net. Junior goalie Aaron Green wasn’t tasked with the workload he had in his previous two wins against SUNY Cortland and Oswego (72-of-77 saves last weekend), but he made 16 saves in the win.

Green said it was tough at times during the game because he didn’t have to make many saves.

“It’s a hard game to play when you don’t get that many shots against you,” Green said. “You’re sitting down there, you start thinking and it’s really hard to stay focused. I would’ve liked to have that goal back, I left the rebound right there and the guy banked it in.

“Other than that, it was a good game. The guys continued to block shots and put up four tonight for me.”

The Golden Eagles moved into the No. 5 spot in the SUNYAC playoffs temporarily as they are tied with Fredonia in conference points after the win. Brockport holds the tiebreaker over Fredonia should both teams finish tied in the standings like they are now.

Brockport finishes its regular season schedule Saturday night against Buffalo State College, a team it could meet in the first round of the SUNYAC playoffs. Buffalo State will be the No. 4 seed in the SUNYAC tournament after tonight's results. If the current standings hold, Brockport will travel to Buffalo State to meet the Bengals in the first round of the playoffs Wednesday, Feb. 26.

Fredonia closes out its season against No. 11 SUNY Geneseo tomorrow night on the road. Geneseo can wrap up the SUNYAC regular season title with a win.

Just a couple weeks ago, Geneseo swept Brockport and the Golden Eagles were a point out of the playoffs with four games against teams higher in the standings than them at the time.

DeLuca said he never stopped believing in this team.

“Being here four years, I’ve seen my fair share of ups and downs,” DeLuca said. “Like I was asked yesterday, ‘What does playing at Brockport mean to me?’ It means perseverance. You keep working through it. Forget about the doubters, believe we can do it and that’s it.

“And we did it.”

Brockport aims to defeat Fredonia for first time since '05

By Brandon Wood
@Brandonwood27

After an upset against SUNY Oswego last week that saw College at Brockport's ice hockey team beat the Lakers for the first time in 11 years, it will attempt to end another streak this week. Brockport hasn't defeated SUNY Fredonia in eight years, with its last win coming Jan. 29, 2005. Fredonia travels to Brockport Friday night with puck drop set for 7 p.m. at Tuttle North Ice Arena.

While there will be at least one lineup change for the Golden Eagles, Head Coach Brian Dickinson said Brockport's netminder will remain the same. After practice Thursday, Dickinson confirmed that junior Aaron Green will start in goal against Fredonia. Green started and won both games last weekend while making 72-of-77 saves.

"Anybody that knows me as a coach knows that I like to run with the hot guy going into the weekend," Dickinson said. "We've had weekends where we've dictated who's starting Friday and who's starting Saturday, but at this point the game is that important Aaron Green has earned the right to start the game and he will get the start against Fredonia."

Another adjustment to the lineup will be freshman forward Nick Marinac taking sophomore Michael Zagari's place in the lineup. Marinac played every SUNYAC game this season prior to last week's games against SUNY Cortland and Oswego. Marinac was forced to sit out the Cortland game due to suspension because of a slew-footing penalty he took at SUNY Geneseo the weekend before and the coaches decided to sit him for the Oswego game as well.

Marinac was rotating with Zagari on the team's second line with sophomore James Ryan and freshman Andrew Parks during Thursday's practice.

"Rather than just throwing him back in to the lineup, we made him earn his spot back and made him rotate with [Zagari] who was on that line last week," Dickinson said. "But [Marinac's] obviously an important piece to our first power play and if you want to win hockey games you're power play has to be running at full tilt.

"I expect [Marinac] to be back in, do a good job, and learn from his mistake of letting his emotions get to him and take a dumb penalty."

There could be one more adjustment to the Golden Eagles' lineup, as freshman forward Nate Pelligra did not participate in Thursday's contact drills at practice. Pelligra, who has a goal and three assists in 11 games since joining the team in January, was injured last Friday at Cortland but still played Saturday in Oswego. Pelligra aggravated the injury during Wednesday's practice and was held out of Thursday's for precaution.

Dickinson said Pelligra is a game-time decision and if he can't play sophomore Kody Vaisanen will take his spot in the lineup. Vaisanen played wing on the third line today during contact drills while sophomore Jesse Facchini centered him and senior Brendon Rothfuss.

Brockport tied the Blue Devils earlier this season when it traveled to Fredonia in December despite holding a two goal lead with less than seven minutes remaining. Fredonia scored with one minute remaining to tie the game.

Fredonia is last in the SUNYAC in goals per game having scored just 59 goals this season. Despite this, Fredonia still holds fifth place in the SUNYAC, two points ahead of the Golden Eagles. Dickinson said Fredonia finds success through its defense.

"I worked at Fredonia for five years as an assistant and we play the same way they play now," Dickinson said. "Good defense, solid goaltending, they pack it in and like to block a lot of shots. They don't give you a lot of second and third looks so we have to be patient to move the puck around."

Dickinson also stressed the importance of jumping out to an early lead and getting Fredonia on its heels.

"We have to get the lead, they're a team that you have to get the lead against," Dickinson said. "Then we need to keep pushing and get them out of their element. Then obviously what we need to do different from the first time is not fall apart in the third period and give them an opportunity to get back in the game."

The Golden Eagles, currently in sixth place in the SUNYAC by one point, have a chance to secure a playoff berth with a win and some help Friday night. In addition to winning, SUNY Potsdam needs to lose to No. 12 Oswego at home. By winning, Brockport would move into fifth place past Fredonia by tiebreaker.

Brockport could also clinch a playoff berth with a tie, a Potsdam loss and a Cortland loss to No. 4 SUNY Plattsburgh on the road.

The Golden Eagles close the season Saturday against Buffalo State College at home for Senior Night. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m.

United on the ice, divided by the Olympics

By Brandon Wood

@Brandonwood27

While united on the ice as the Brockport Golden Eagles, the players are not united as to who they are rooting for in tomorrow's Men's Olympic semifinal game between Team USA and Team Canada. The team has players from both countries.

After polling several players on the team, the biggest advocates for each Olympic team were decidedly senior Brendon Rothfuss (U.S.) and freshman Ryan Johnson (Canada).

I spoke with both of them at the same time after practice Thursday, and this is what they had to say about the game tomorrow:

Question for Rothfuss: What was your reaction to T.J. Oshie's shootout performance and Team USA's win against Russia?

Rothfuss: First off, I texted [Johnson] and told him he was a pathetic loser and to watch out because T.J. Oshie, the golden boy of the United States, is coming for him.

Question for Johnson: Latvia gave Canada some struggles yesterday in a 2-1 win yesterday, what'd you think about the game?

Johnson: I think overall we played a really good game, we just wanted the rest of the world to think we're nice people like we really are. Canada went easy on Latvia for that reason.

Question (both): Are you disappointed that Canada and the U.S. can't meet in the final?

Rothfuss: No, I'd rather just knock Canada out of contention for the gold medal altogether and then they hopefully just fall apart in the bronze medal game and their country shuts down for a week and a half.

Johnson: I'd rather put the U.S. out of its misery early. Last Olympics, Canada took them into overtime in the gold medal game and dragged it out for the whole country. We want to put them away early this time.

Question (both): If your team were to advance to the final, would you prefer to play against Sweden or Finland?

Rothfuss: Finland has that wily vet Teemu Selanne. He's an absolute specimen at 43 years old, still jets around out there like a young Ryan Johnson on the ice, so I think I'd like the U.S. to play Sweden.

Johnson: If I had to pick a team, I guess I'd say Sweden because I don't really like those Swedes.

Question (both): Final score prediction?

Rothfuss: 3-1 U.S.

Johnson: 4-3 overtime winner. Sidney Crosby golden goal.

Head Coach Brian Dickinson was asked his thoughts on the outcome of the game as well.

"Probably another one goal game, I'll say 4-3 U.S. in a shootout," Dickinson, an avid Team USA supporter said.

Regardless of the outcome, you can expect many players on the team chirping each other about the result of tomorrow's semifinal.

The battle for time in the crease: Brockport's goaltending trio

By Brandon Wood
@Brandonwood27

Three goalies, all hailing from different parts of Canada and junior teams joined together to form this season’s College at Brockport ice hockey goaltending corps. Each of these men have one goal in mind: be the next goaltender to start in the crease for the Golden Eagles.

The three current goalies on Brockport’s roster are junior Aaron Green, sophomore Jared Lockhurst and freshman Andrew Winsor. All three goalies have been in the crease to start at least one game this season.

Brockport carried four goalies earlier this season, but senior Joe Reagan was cut from the team to clear space to add freshman forward Nate Pelligra. Pelligra has one goal, three assists and has played in all eleven games since he joined the team.

Lockhurst (3-8-2, 3.39 GAA) is from Caledon, Ontario, about an hour away from Toronto, and has seen the most time in net this season. Lockhurst remembers his hometown fondly.

“I was just kind of a country kid growing up playing hockey and lacrosse,” Lockhurst said. “It was a great place to grow up.”

He then went to play junior hockey for three different programs: Brampton Capitals, Villanova Knights and the Wellington Dukes. After his time with the Dukes, he was heavily recruited by Division III programs such as SUNY Oswego and said he even talked to Division I Niagara at one point.

Despite interest from those other schools, Lockhurst said he is “happy being a Golden Eagle, that’s for sure.”

Green (5-2, 3.35 GAA) is from Mount Albert, Ontario, about an hour away from Lockhurst’s hometown. Green has started seven games this season for the Golden Eagles and started 11 last season. Green played his junior hockey for the St. Michaels Buzzers under a coach he described as incredibly influential to him.

“St. Michaels was one of the best places I’ve ever played,” Green said. “I had a lot of fun there, I learned a lot and I had one of the best coaches in Canada teaching me there.”

Green was the hero this past weekend for Brockport as he made 47 saves against SUNY Oswego in Brockport’s first win against the Lakers since 2003. He was also in net when Brockport upset then-nationally ranked Elmira in overtime two seasons ago.

Both Lockhurst and Green were battling groin injuries earlier this season, which gave Winsor, the rookie, the chance to start a few games.

Winsor grew up an hour east of Toronto in the town of Coburg. In his two SUNYAC starts this season, Winsor went 0-1-1 while stopping 67-of-76 shots he faced on the road against SUNY Fredonia and Buffalo State College. Winsor came to Brockport from the Trenton Golden Hawks with four of his fellow teammates that also came here.

“As soon as I got here, I fell in love with the school, the background and the history of it,” Winsor said. “As I was taught about the hockey team I just wanted to play here more and more. When I made my commitment, it was exciting for me and my family.”

Winsor said he looks up to Lockhurst and Green, but understands that they are the main tandem on the team and he will have to wait his turn.

“I give [Lockhurst and Green] my full support,” Winsor said. “But as for myself, when I play I try my best and I want to win. I obviously want to start but I have to wait for my time and I’m supporting them all the way. They’re playing amazing this year and I support them 100 percent.”

Over the past two seasons with Lockhurst and Green starting in net, the Golden Eagles have scored more than one more goal per game when Green has started.

Brockport averages 3.99 goals per game with Green starting, while Lockhurst gets just 2.6 goals on average to work with. Lockhurst has been in net three times in the past two seasons when the Golden Eagles have been shut out and Green has been in for two.

There are several different styles of goaltending including hybrid, standing and butterfly. Lockhurst said he is a very positional goalie and his success depends on not scrambling around a lot and works a lot on his rebound control. Green said he most closely identifies his goaltending style as butterfly.

Winsor said he is more of a hybrid style goalie, meaning he incorporates a mix of butterfly and standing aspects into his game.

Each of these goalies grew up modeling their game around people they saw as role models: NHL goalies.

Lockhurst grew up as a big fan of the New Jersey Devils Martin Brodeur. Green said Patrick Roy was his favorite goalie growing up. Winsor compares his game more similarly to retired Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff.

“[Kiprusoff] isn’t the biggest goalie but he gets the job done,” Winsor said. “That’s what I think I do, I try my best to stop every puck. It doesn’t matter how I stop it, I just need to.”

Lockhurst said competing with Winsor and Green has been a healthy competition and has kept the competitive level to play high.

“All three of us work hard, we get along with each other, and we’re all pushing each other to get better in practice,” Lockhurst said. “I think we’ve got three really good goaltenders here so we’ve got to battle every day and hopefully get the opportunity to help the team win.”

Green said that even though all three are competing for the starting job, they all want to see each other and the team succeed.

“All three of us are comfortable with each other in net, so whoever gets the call [to start], we’re supportive of them,” Green said. “We compete, we help each other and we give each other pointers. It’s a great experience working with each other.”