Elmira College (8-5-0) at Buffalo State (6-4-3)
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 | 7:00 P.M. | Buffalo State Ice Arena – Buffalo, NY
Live Coverage | Game Notes
 
Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College men's ice hockey team will look to continue its roll when it heads west for a midweek non-conference tilt against streaking Buffalo State on Tuesday night. Opening puck drop at Buffalo State Ice Arena is slated for 7:00 p.m.
 
Last Time Out
A three-week hiatus did little to slow down the recent roll of the Elmira College men's ice hockey team, who took to the ice for the first time in 2016 this past weekend. EC kicked off a challenging back-to-back with a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the The College at Brockport on Friday night. Carter Shinkaruk '16 provided the fireworks against the Golden Eagles, tallying two goals to twice give EC one-goal leads. With the score tied late in the third period, Blake O'Neill '19 pumped in the game-winner. Things were not as close the following evening when the Soaring Eagles welcomed #4/8 SUNY Geneseo to the Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena. Despite a strong start from the visitors, Elmira tallied five goals in a little over one period to rout the Knights 5-1. Shinkaruk continued to stay hot, tallying a hat trick, while Sal Magliocco '17 stopped 31 shots and added his first point of the season on an assist during the decisive second period.
 
Shinkaruk Stays Hot
It seems as if every shot is going in right now for Elmira center Carter Shinkaruk '16, as the senior continued his torrid scoring pace over the weekend. He lit the lamp five times over this past weekend, firing home two goals against Brockport and adding a hat trick against nationally-ranked SUNY Geneseo. For his immense efforts over the weekend, he was named ECAC West Player of the Week. Shinkaruk has tallied at least one point in 10 of his 12 games played this season, while the scoring binge this past weekend continued his torrid run in recent games. He has scored nine goals and added four assists over his last seven games, while Elmira has gone 6-1-0 over that stretch. His name sits at or near the top in several national scoring categories, ranking seventh with a 1.58 points per game average, while leading all of Division III with a 1.17 goals per game mark. Additionally, Shinkaruk's 14 total goals rank third in the nation, while his three shorthanded tallies are tied for best mark in the country.
 
Magliocco Makes His Mark
Coming into the season, third-year netminder Sal Magliocco '17 figured to play a prominent role in the Elmira cage. Although a difficult start, in part due to an early injury, derailed the beginning part of this season, Magliocco was fantastic in his return to regular starting duties this past weekend. He stopped 36 shots in Elmira's 4-3 victory over Brockport, while he dazzled in denying 31-of-32 shots in the 5-1 victory over nationally-ranked Geneseo. The netminder also got in on the offensive act as well, chipping in a secondary assist on the first of two Shinkaruk goals in the second period. For his efforts, he was named ECAC West Goalie of the Week. While his peripheral numbers remain skewed due to his early season struggles, he has sliced his goals against average in half, while his save percentage crept over .900 for the first time this season after the back-to-back victories this past weekend.
 
Offense on a Roll
Elmira has iced one of the most potent offenses in the nation this season. The Soaring Eagles continued to produce big numbers over the weekend, scoring nine goals in the two games over the weekend. EC has scored four or more goals in nine of its 13 contests this season, while it has found the back of the net 36 times over its recent 6-1-0 stretch, an average of 5.14 goals per game.
 
Smothering Penalty Kill
The Elmira penalty kill has been stifling opponents all season, entering Tuesday night ranked 16^th in the nation at an 88.5-percent success rate. The PK has been even stingier over the Soaring Eagles' current 6-1-0 stretch. EC has given opponents 39 power-play opportunities over that run, but has allowed only two power-play goals over that span, a success rate of 94.9-percent. Elmira also is tied for first in the nation with four shorthanded goals this season.
 
Series History: Buffalo State
Elmira has had its fair share of success in the all-time series between the two programs, going 7-2-0 in nine meetings. The Soaring Eagles snapped a two-game winning streak by the Bengals with a 6-4 victory at the MAC last season. EC took the first six matchups in the overall series, which dates back to the 1995-96 season, outscoring Buffalo State 36-13 in those six matchups.
 
Scouting Buffalo State
Buffalo State enters Tuesday's contest with a 6-4-3 record on the year and a 3-3-1 mark in SUNYAC play. Interestingly, the Bengals have experienced most of their success on the road, posting a 1-1-3 record on home ice so far this season. The team has been hot over its recent stretch, going 6-2-1 over its last nine contests, which includes a 7-4 win over SUNY Geneseo and a 2-2 tie against current No. 1 St. Norbert. Junior forward Taylor Pryce leads the Bengals in scoring with 16 points on nine goals and six assists. Classmate Anthony Beaumont sits in second with 11 points on six goals and five helpers, while Brett Hope, Zach Nieminen and Ryan Salkeld each have 10 points apiece. Junior netminder Mike DeLaVergne has seen almost all the time in the Bengals' cage this season. He enters the matchup with a solid 2.54 goals against average and .924 save percentage.
 
Looking Ahead
Elmira continues its road swing this weekend when it travels off the mainland to participate in a tournament on Martha's Vineyard. EC opens the two-day event on Friday when it takes on Salve Regina University at 4:30 p.m. The Soaring Eagles wrap-up the event the following afternoon when they drop the puck with Curry College at 2:00 p.m.