BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo State men's hockey team hits the road this weekend for two SUNYAC contests, beginning today against the Potsdam Bears at 7 p.m. The Bengals will then travel further east to visit the Plattsburgh State Cardinals on Saturday night at 7.
FRIDAY'S GAME COVERAGE LINKS - LIVE STATS VIDEO
SATURDAY'S GAME COVERAGE LINKS - LIVE STATS VIDEO
THE BENGAL REPORT
· The Bengals enter tonight's contest with a 3-2 overall record, including 1-1 in conference play. They suffered a 4-3 overtime loss to then-No. 2 (now No. 1) Hobart last Friday night in Geneva in their most recent outing.
· Nikita Kozyrev (Tallinn, Estonia/Springfield Jr. Blues) registered his second and third goals of the season in that contest, the second most goals on the team.
· Tyler Vanuden (Fort Frances, ON/Finlandia University) holds the team lead in goals scored with four through five games, including one against Hobart.
· Goaltender Emil Norrman (Kungsbacka, Sweden/Dells Ducks) leads the SUNYAC with 189 saves, and has the third best save percentage at .945.
PONDERING POTSDAM
· The Bears come into tonight's contest with a 1-5 record overall (0-4 SUNYAC), though that win came in their last game against Canton on Tuesday, 4-3 in overtime.
· Jack Loran netted two goals in that affair, including the game-winner. He leads the team with three goals on the campaign.
· Michael McArthur registered a goal and an assist against the Roos, tying him for the Potsdam lead in points with four.
CANVASSING THE CARDINALS
· Plattsburgh will play host to Fredonia tonight before Buffalo State comes to town, but they currently sit at 3-1-2 and 2-1-1 in SUNYAC competition.
· In their last game on Saturday, the Cardinals forced overtime with a late goal against the No. 3 Geneseo Knights, but neither team was able to score in the extra period, leading to a 2-2 tie.
· Plattsburgh offers a balanced offensive attack, as three players have seven or more points.
· Goalie Jacob Hearne has stopped 88 shots in three starts this year, allowing just four goals. His .957 save percentage leads the SUNYAC.
THE HISTORY
· The Bengals and Bears have squared off 61 times previously, with Buffalo State winning 23 of those contests, along with four ties.
· The teams split their matchups last season, with the Bengals winning the first one 7-1, and the Bears winning the second 5-1.
· Buffalo State and Plattsburgh have met each other 58 times over the years, with the Bengals winning nine games while also tying three times.
· The Cardinals swept the season series a year ago, winning 5-1 and 4-3.
