A D3hockey.com ECAC West breakout player of the year candidate, Connor Powell '20 gave the 1,100 fans at the Murray Athletic Center a glimpse of his scoring prowess in Saturday night's home opener. In just his second collegiate game, the first-year forward had a hand in all three goals against Oswego State by scoring the first two and assisting on the third.
In the waning moments of the first period, Powell received an outlet pass from fellow rookie Nick Ford '20, creating a two-on-one rush. Powell skated with the puck into the high slot and ripped a wrister passed Laker goalie David Jacobson for his first collegiate tally with 13 seconds left in the period.
In the second period, the product of Merrimack, New Hampshire, recorded his first career power-play goal. Just six seconds into the extra-man opportunity, Powell rifled the puck through traffic from the right faceoff circle. The rookie also set-up EC's third period score with a great defensive effort in the Laker zone. Powell stole the puck from an Oswego State skater and headmanned it down ice to Matthew Cuce '20, who earned the primary assist on the Soaring Eagles' third goal of the night, scored by Ford.
Through the Purple and Gold's opening weekend, Powell paces the team with two goals and is tied for the lead with three points. He will look build upon those totals this weekend with back-to-back ECAC West contests on the road at Stevenson University and Lebanon Valley Conference on Friday, October 4th, and Saturday, October 5th, respectively.
