Brockport beats Oswego for first time since 2003, playoffs in sight

By Brandon Wood

@Brandonwood27

Saturday, Feb. 15, the College at Brockport’s ice hockey team did something it hadn’t done in more than 11 years: defeat conference rival SUNY Oswego. The win is just the sixth victory in program history against Oswego (6-83-5 overall). Brockport also rallied from two goals down to defeat SUNY Cortland Friday, Feb. 14.

By winning both games, the Golden Eagles (8-12-3 overall, 5-8-1 SUNYAC) control their own playoff destiny heading into the final weekend in the sixth and final SUNYAC playoff spot.

The Golden Eagles trailed 3-1 with less than two minutes remaining in the second period against Cortland, and things looked bleak. If Brockport couldn't defeat the Red Dragons, its difficult remaining schedule almost ensured a fourth straight season missing the SUNYAC playoffs.

Brockport rallied to score three goals in the next 5:04 to take a 4-3 lead early in the third period.

Junior Aaron Green started in net for Brockport, and he was tasked with making several big saves throughout the contest. In the first period and a half, Cortland had three breakaway chances and a goal that was waived off because Green's mask fell off and the whistle blew before the puck went into the net. Green stoned two Cortland players on breakaways, and the third went over the goal.

Green finished the game with 27 saves for Brockport.

“We had a conversation earlier in the year and Aaron Green was pretty disappointed the last two years that he didn’t play in the big games at the end of the season,” Brockport Coach Brian Dickinson said of his decision to start Green over sophomore Jared Lockhurst. “Oliver Wren started that last game two years ago against Morrisville and [Lockhurst] started last year against Morrisville.

“He had a chip on his shoulder so when I called him Thursday night I told him ‘You waited for this big game for two years, you have it tomorrow. Be ready to go.' And boy was he ready this weekend.”

With the game tied at one after the first period, Cortland scored twice in the first 10 minutes of the second period.

The comeback began when junior defenseman Bobby Chayka found some room down the left side of the ice and backhanded a shot over Cortland's goalie Mark Balkwill to make it 3-2 Cortland heading into the second intermission.

It was clear the ice was tilted in Brockport's favor early in the third as sophomore Chase Nieuwendyk and senior Chris Cangro found themselves in a two-on-one situation. Nieuwendyk passed the puck across the crease and Cangro easily found his fourth goal of the season to tie the game.

Less than 1:30 later, Brockport took its first lead of the game when sophomore defenseman Chris Luker blasted a shot from the point that found the back of Cortland's net. It was Luker's seventh goal of the season and ended up being the game-winning goal.

Brockport's power play, which entered the game 0-for-its-last-9, failed to convert on two chances earlier in the game, leading to the team's longest stretch of the season without a power-play goal at 11.

The drought would end at 11, as freshman James Ryan hit a shot from the top of the right circle to make the game 5-3.

Green was also in net Saturday for the Golden Eagles, marking the first time in his career he started back-to-back SUNYAC games. Dickinson said he earned the start based on his play against Cortland. Green made 45 saves against Oswego. Green made 45 saves against then-nationally ranked No. 9 Oswego, and the Golden Eagles were outshot 47-24 in the game.

“Aaron Green was nothing short of sensational both nights for us,” Dickinson said.

Brockport jumped out to an early lead four minutes into the game when Cangro found the back of the net and doubled its advantage six minutes later on a goal by Shane Cavalieri.

Oswego scored late in the first period to make it 2-1. After a scoreless second period, sophomore Jesse Facchini tipped in a shot from the point by freshman defenseman Rob Hall.

Oswego captain David Titanic scored with just two and a half minutes remaining to make it a one-goal game, but Brockport was able to hold off the Lakers to take home the win.

“It’s all about the team,” captain Matt DeLuca said after the win in Oswego. “Those guys, I told them I wish I could’ve broken the game puck into however many different pieces and given it to all of them. They inspired me tonight with their effort and Green played unbelievable.”

By winning twice and earning four SUNYAC standings points, Brockport sits one point ahead of SUNY Potsdam for the final playoff spot with two games remaining on its schedule. Any combination of a win and a Potsdam loss in the upcoming season’s final weekend would put the Golden Eagles in the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. The Golden Eagles would also make the playoffs if they finished tied with Potsdam in the standings because Brockport swept the Bears in their season series.

Brockport hosts SUNY Fredonia Friday, Feb. 21 and Buffalo State College Saturday, Feb. 22. The Golden Eagles haven’t beaten Fredonia since 2005, and have lost five of their last seven games against Buffalo State. Puck drop for both games is scheduled for 7 p.m.