Score: Elmira College 2 – Buffalo State 2 (OT)
Records: Elmira (8-5-1), Buffalo State (6-4-4)
Location: Buffalo State Ice Arena – Buffalo, NY
 
Buffalo, NY -- The Elmira College men's ice hockey team held a one-goal advantage in the third period but an early tally by Buffalo State evened things up at two apiece, a score that remained that way through the final stanza and an extra five minute period, as the two programs skated to a 2-2 overtime tie. With the tie, Elmira extends its unbeaten streak to three games sees its record move to 8-5-1 on the season.
 
The Bengals put the pressure on early in the first period with a flurry of shots, which would turn into a 10-to-6 advantage in attempts through the game's opening 20 minutes. EC's defenders weathered the storm for the most part, until Anthony Beaumont gave the Bengals a 1-0 lead with 3:24 remaining in the period, a lead they carried into the first intermission.
 
Although it was Buffalo State's goal that grabbed attention, credit the Bengals' penalty killers for keeping EC's power-play unit silent during the opening period. Buffalo State successfully killed two Elmira power-play chances under the nine minute mark. Buffalo State had not allowed a power-play goal in three games entering tonight's contest, holding opposing teams scoreless on 13 attempts.   
 
Looking to change the momentum of tonight's game, Elmira knew a good start to the second period would be a key factor in getting back into the contest. Elmira would do just that, thanks to the reigning ECAC West Player of the Week, Carter Shinkaruk '16. Shinkaruk evened the score line at 1-1 just 1:37 into the second period with his 15th goal of the season. Rookie defenseman, Blake O'Neill '19, was credited with the lone assist.
 
Buffalo State's Todd Graham was whistled for a delayed penalty, goaltender interference, which put the Soaring Eagles on the power play for a third time tonight. Although Elmira was unable to find the back of the cage on its previous chances, its third attempt would be a different story.
 
Riding high on the momentum of the Shinkaruk goal, Jarryd ten Vaanholt '16 punched-in a power-play goal on his second shot of the shift, putting the Soaring Eagles on top, 2-1. ten Vaanholt's goal was scored just 1:08 from Shinkaruk's and was assisted by Alexander Taulien '18 and Tommy Sumi '16.
 
Buffalo State had two power-play chances in the second period but EC's penalty killers proved to be up for the challenge, as the game remained tied entering the final intermission.
 
Penalties continued to be a theme in the third period, as Elmira's Brett Mackell '18 was whistled for a hooking penalty less than three minutes into the final stanza. The penalty would be a costly one, as Marcus Michalski scored the eventual game-tying goal on the power play at the 3:44 mark of the period.
 
Michalski's goal held up through the end of the period, which forced an extra five-minute session. Elmira outshot the Bengals 6-to-2 in the overtime period, but Buffalo State's Mike DeLaVergne denied EC on each of its six chances, as the game ended in a 2-2 overtime tie.
 
Turning Point
Buffalo State held a one-goal lead after the first period of play, much of that having to do with a hefty 10-to-6 advantage in shots on goal in the opening stanza. However, tonight's game turned in favor of Elmira early in the second period, as the Soaring Eagles scored two times on their first three shots to take a 2-1 lead. Although the game ended in a tie, Elmira's effort early in the second period gave the Purple and Gold a chance at a win.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Buffalo State held a slight 29-to-27 advantage in shots on goal, although EC outshot the Bengals 6-to-2 in the overtime period.
• Elmira went 1-for-3 on the power play, while Buffalo State was 1-for-4.
• Elmira's goals were scored 1:08 apart in the second period.
• Buffalo State's Michalski scored the eventual game-tying goal on a power-play chance 3:44 into the third period.
• Shinkaruk scored his 15th goal of the season 1:37 into the second period, EC's first goal of the night.
• ten Vaanholt added a power-play goal in the second stanza to give Elmira a one-goal lead at the time.
• O'Neill, Taulien, and Sumi were all credited with assists tonight.
• Rookie netminder Sandro Aeschlimann '19 made 27 saves, while his counterpart stopped 25. 

 
News and Notes

• With today's tie, Elmira remains unbeaten in 2016 (2-0-1)
• Tonight's tie is Elmira's first of the 2015-16 season.
• Elmira's record against non-conference opponents stands at 6-1-1 this season.
• EC is 7-2-1 in its last 10 games, going 2-1-1 on the road during that stretch.
• Shinkaruk has scored a goal in three consecutive games, totaling six during that time frame.
• Shinkaruk has scored at least one goal in 10 of his 13 games this season.
• With his lone tally tonight, Shinkaruk holds onto his national-lead in goals per game (1.15).
• ten Vaanholt has scored goals in back-to-back games for a second time this season.
• All six of ten Vaanholt's goals this season have been scored in Elmira's last seven games.
• O'Neill has earned a point in three straight games, which is a career best.
• With the tie, Aeschlimann's record stands at 5-3-1.

 
Up Next
Elmira continues its non-conference schedule this weekend, when the Soaring Eagles travel to compete in the Martha's Vineyard Tournament. EC opens tournament play on Friday, January 15th, with a 4:30 p.m. meeting with Salve Regina University.