College Hockey Stats Box Score
 
Potsdam, NY -- The Elmira College men's ice hockey team (7-5-2) scored three goals in the third period to break a 2-2 tie and claim a critical 5-2 road win over SUNY Potsdam (5-8-2).  Elmira's Michael Collins '16 scored a pair of goals while classmate Greg Whittle '16 assisted on three others to lead Elmira to their fourth win in their last five games.
 
Tonight's game saw plenty of offense as the two teams combined for 90 shots on goal, 48 for Elmira and 42 for Potsdam.  Additionally, both teams would score a power-play goal as the Soaring Eagles went 1-for-4 on power-play chances while the Bears went 1-for-5. 
 
The Soaring Eagles took a 1-0 lead just 5:47 into the first period, on somewhat of a fluke play, as a powerful slap shot from Eric David '15 from the blue line ricocheted off the end boards and off the skate of Potsdam goalie Shane Talarico into the net. 
 
24 seconds later, Michael Collins '16 made it 2-0 as he scored his fourth goal of 2015.  Collins' goal was setup by a smooth pass from behind the Potsdam net from Jarryd ten Vaanholt '16, who found Collins in the slot for a one-timer that beat the goalie through the arm for the score.  Greg Whittle '16 also picked up an assist on the goal as his initial pass to ten Vaanholt setup the score.
 
Potsdam cut the Elmira lead to 2-1 at the 16:55 mark of the first period when, on the rush, Jake Rivera made a nice one-on-one move to beat Ryan deMelo '15 for the score.  The game remained 2-1 entering the first intermission. 
 
A pair of Elmira penalties on Nick Owen '17 and Michael Martin '18 in the second period allowed the Bears to even the game at 2-2, 8:13 into the second period.  On a 5-on-3 power-play opportunity for Potsdam, some sleek in-zone passing by the Bears led to Zach Blake burying a wrist shot into the upper left corner of the net, beating deMelo over the right shoulder for the goal. 
 
The Soaring Eagles played most of the second period in their own defensive zone as penalties continued to plague Elmira as the Purple and Gold were called for four penalties in the period.  However, Elmira did well to minimize the potential damage, killing three of Potsdam's four power-play chances.  The game would remain tied at 2-2 entering the final intermission.
 
In the third period, on an EC power play, Elmira had a scare around the 9:10 mark when an errant pass forced deMelo to come out of net to play the puck.  On the play, deMelo would lose the puck, giving the Bears and empty net but thankfully for Elmira, the Potsdam attempt would miss wide left. 
 
Shortly after, with the power play over, Elmira's pressure on the forecheck helped put the Soaring Eagles ahead, 3-2.  Good behind-the-net pressure by Tyler Theodoulou '18 forced a Potsdam turnover in their own zone and a timely check up against the boards by Travis Meyer '17 allowed for Nick Okada '18 to collect the puck at the blue line. From there, Okada would fire a slap shot towards net and Theodoulou, who was camped out in front of the Potsdam goal, redirected the shot into the back of the net for the score.  Okada would be credited with an assist on the go-ahead, and eventual game-winning goal.
 
Elmira extended their lead to 4-2 with 2:25 to play as ten Vaanholt scored his seventh goal of the season on a 5-on-4 power-play opportunity. EC's fourth goal nearly did not happen as a Potsdam skater had the puck on his stick and tried skating out of his defensive zone with the puck instead of clearing it.  This decision would prove to be a costly one as Whittle used a nifty stick lift to steal the puck just before the blue.  After forcing the turnover, Whittle carried the puck into the slot before dishing it to ten Vaanholt in front of the net, where he would make a quick move with the puck before sending it into the back of the net for the score. 
 
With the game coming to a close, Elmira's Martin was called for a two-minute slashing penalty, giving the Bears power-play opportunity.  Shortly after, Potsdam would pull their goalie, giving the Bears a 6-on-4 man advantage for what could have been for the remainder of the game.  However, Collins would score an empty netter, shorthanded, to solidify Elmira's 5-2 win over the Bears.  Whittle picked up an assist on Collins' goal, his third assist of the night.   
 
EC starting goaltender, deMelo, got his first start since December 6th and would make 40 saves en route to his second win of the season. For deMelo, his 40-save effort marks the second time this season he has made 40 or more saves.
 
The Soaring Eagles will be back on the ice this Friday, January 16th when Elmira hosts No. 5 nationally ranked Oswego State.  Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena.