Score: Elmira College 4 – The College at Brockport 3
Records: Elmira (7-5-0), Brockport (6-6-2)
Location: Tuttle North Ice Arena – Brockport, NY
 
Brockport, NY -- A three-week hiatus for winter break did little to slow down the recent roll that the Elmira College men's ice hockey has been on over the last seven games, as the Soaring Eagles kicked off the 2016 portion of their schedule with a thrilling 4-3 victory over The College at Brockport on Friday night.
 
Leading 3-2 heading into third period action, Brockport tied the game just 3:50 into the final period on a Tim Kielich equalizer. The goal really energized the home side, as the Golden Eagles held a dominant edge in terms of possession through the middle portion of the period, firing 11 shots on goal in the final frame overall. Sal Magliocco '17 stood on his head to keep the game level, including a fantastic denial of David Horan's backhander, as the latter got a shorthanded breakaway at the midway point of the period.
 
With time dwindling with under five minutes remaining in regulation, first-year defenseman Blake O'Neill '19 provided the heroics for Elmira. With Brockport caught in the middle of a line change, the rookie joined the rush, pouncing on a loose puck in the neutral zone. He charged into the Brockport end with a two-on-one, before using the defenseman as a screen and firing a howitzer of a wrist-shot that beat Golden Eagles' netminder Jake Moore five-hole to lift Elmira to a late lead.
 
The Soaring Eagles would see out the victory with strong possession over the final four minutes. Brockport would get one final chance on an attacking zone draw, created by a late penalty call on Tyler Theodoulou '18 with seven seconds remaining. Elmira would win the draw to see out the thrilling win.
 
It was another strong offensive performance for Elmira, who tallied at tallied at least four goals for the eighth time in 12 outings this season. As we have seen repeatedly over the Soaring Eagles' recent surge, Carter Shinkaruk '16 continued to be a nightmare for opposition blue-liners. He tallied two goals on the night to bring his season total to 11. Theodoulou also added his third goal of the season. Eddie Nolan '18 chipped in two assists from the blue-line, while Noah Anderson '19, Kenny Tencza '19, Mitch Atkins '19 and Brian Depp '16 each added one helper apiece.
 
Magliocco had a strong night in the Elmira goal, finishing with 36 saves to notch his second victory in as many starts.
 
Despite not seeing game-action for nearly three weeks, Elmira showed little rust in its legs, as the team flew out of the gates. Shinkaruk gave the Soaring Eagles offense lift-off just 2:08 into the game. After a D-to-D pass from Nolan to Anderson, the latter sent an up pass to Shinkaruk, who blazed down the left wing. After charging into the Brockport end, he curled up a sinister wrister that beat Moore short side to stake Elmira to a 1-0 lead.
 
After getting over the initial shock of the early tally, the Golden Eagles began to find their legs during the middle portion of the period. Chase Nieuwendyk would level the score at 8:48, deflecting a point shot from Chris Luker that found its way under Magliocco's pads. Aidan Verbeke would give Brockport its first and only lead less than five minutes later.
 
The second period was dominated by the visitors, as Elmira fired 14 shots on goal during the frame. Theodoulou equalized the game at 2-2 at 11:54 of the middle frame, tapping home a backdoor rebound at the far post. Shinkaruk would add his second goal of the game 3:47 later, setting the stage for the exciting third period.
 
In His Own Words…
Head Coach Aaron Saul '98 on his team's performance after returning from the long break…
"I thought it was a good game for us coming back from break. Play got sloppy at times, but we did a nice job of keeping our legs in shape despite the lack of game action these past few weeks. We kept pressing and created good scoring chances."
 
Saul on O'Neill's game-winning goal…
"The game-winner was a great individual effort from Blake. He used the defenseman as a screen and surprised the goalie with the great shot that he possesses."
 
Saul on how this will translate into tomorrow's home contest against nationally-ranked SUNY Geneseo…
"The result tonight gives us some great momentum heading into tomorrow's game. Geneseo is a Top-10 team and will certainly be a difficult assignment for us, but it will be another opportunity to add a signature win to our résumé in front of our home fans."
 
Turning Point
With Brockport really carrying the pace of play for vast stretches of the third period, Elmira snatched back control of the game seemingly out of nowhere. O'Neill pounced on a turnover in the neutral zone and fired a fantastic shot, using the Golden Eagles defenseman as a screen to lift Elmira to the 4-3 lead.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Brockport held a 39-to-30 advantage in shots on goal.
• Neither team saw much success on the power play, as the two went a combined 0-for-8.
• Shinkaruk and Nolan led Elmira with two points apiece.
• Shinkaruk scored twice tonight, once in the first period and again in the second.
• Both of Nolan's points came on assists.
• Theodouluou scored his third of the season in the second period.
• O'Neill scored the game-winning goal, unassisted, with 4:48 to play in the third.
• Anderson, Tencza, Depp, and Atkins all registered assists.
• Sal Magliocco '17 turned away 36 shots, including a 16-save effort in the second period.

 
News and Notes

• Elmira has won six of its last seven games.
• The Soaring Eagles improve to 5-1 against non-conference teams this season.
• Tonight's victory marks the third road win of the year for Elmira.
• Elmira snaps Brockport's two-game win streak in the all-time series.
• Eight different EC players registered points tonight.
• Shinkaruk's two-goal night is his third multi-goal performance of the season.
• Shinkaruk moves into a three-way tie for second place in the nation in goals per game (1.00).
• Magliocco's 36 saves are the most he has made since the season-opener against Neumann University.
• O'Neill becomes the first rookie to record a game-winning goal this season.

 
Up Next
Elmira will look to build off its momentum tomorrow night, when the Soaring Eagles welcome nationally-ranked SUNY Geneseo to the Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena. Faceoff is set for 7:00 p.m. against the No. 4/8 Knights.