BUFFALO, N.Y.—Freshman Roberts Smits (Riga, Latvia) had a goal and an assist as nationally-ranked No. 13/14 and fourth-seeded Buffalo State prevailed 2-1 over visiting fifth-seeded Fredonia in a SUNYAC Quarterfinal game tonight at the Ice Arena. 
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: #13/14 Buffalo State – 2, Fredonia - 1
LOCATION: Ice Arena - Buffalo, N.Y.
RECORDS: Buffalo State (18-7-1), Fredonia (13-11-2)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a scoreless first period, Smits opened the scoring with his fifth of the season on the power play, ripping a faceoff win by Anthony Passero (Fort Erie, ON/Lakeshore) into the top corner.
• The Blue Devils evened the score before the second intermission, however, when a low shot slid off the right post and into the back of the net.
• Another freshman reclaimed the lead for Buffalo State early in the third period when Collin O'Connor (Kankakee, IL/Providence Catholic) fired a blast from the point that found its way through the Fredonia netminder.  Brody Power (Toronto, ON/Upper Canada College) and Smits collected the assists.
• The Bengals surrendered just seven third period shots as Mike DeLaVergne (Pawling, NY/Pawling) was able to close the door and preserve the victory. 
• DeLaVergne finished with 18 saves in the win as Buffalo State held a 29-19 advantage in shots on goal for the game.
• The Bengals finished 1 for 5 on the power play, while Fredonia was just 0 for 2.

 
FOR THE FOES                                    

• Mac McAvoy's unassisted goal provided all of Fredonia's offense.
• Eric Bogart was strong in goal turning aside 27 of the 29 shots he faced.

 
NOTEWORTHY                                     

• Buffalo State will play in the SUNYAC semifinals for the sixth-consecutive time.  The Bengals have never advanced to the title game.

 
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