Score: Neumann University 5, Elmira College 4 (OT)
Records: Neumann (3-2-0, 1-2-0 ECAC West), Elmira (1-4-0, 1-2-0 ECAC West)
Location: Aston, Pennsylvania -- IceWorks Skating Complex
ASTON, Pa. -- The Elmira College men's ice hockey team saw a three-goal lead slip away in the third period as ECAC West foe Neumann College topped the Soaring Eagles in overtime by a 5-4 final on the road in Aston, Pennsylvania.
EC raced out of the gates quickly, as freshman
Eric Bolden '20 tallied an unassisted goal in the a mere 56 seconds into the first period. It marks the second consecutive game in which the rookie has netted a goal inside the first minute of the opening frame.
Although Neumann's Joe Mitchell knotted the game at 1-all with just six seconds remaining the first period, the Purple and Gold retook the lead with a 3-0 run that bridged the second and third periods.
Connor Powell '20 found the back of the net at the 9:16 mark of the second period, with assists from classmates
Matthew Cuce '20 and
Harry Kramer '20, allowing Elmira to regain the lead, 2-1. Second-year skater
Mitch Atkins '19 extended the advantage to two goals with a tally of his own approximately five minutes later. The sophomore forward was assisted on the play by
Calvin Hughson '20 and
Kenny Tencza '19.
The Soaring Eagles cushioned their lead to what appeared to be a confortable three-goal margin in the third period with an unassisted goal from
Spencer MacLean '20.
The Knights, however, responded with three consecutive scores to force overtime. The spirited Neumann men cut the deficit to two goals, 4-2, with a goal from Shane Topf at the 9:05 mark, followed by a tally from Ryan Luiten 5:05 later to bring the hosts within one.
With less than two minutes remaining in regulation, the Knights opted to pull goaltender Matt Gibney in favor of the extra attacker. On the opposite end of the ice, Elmira netminder
Sal Magliocco '17 made a trio of saves as the clock slowly expired, but Neumann's Jake Davidson scored a heart-breaking goal with one second left on the clock to draw the contest even at 4-4.
The Knights outshot the Soaring Eagles 4-to-0 in the extra sessions before Lauri Viitanen propelled Neumann to victory with the overtime game-winner.
Turning Point
The Soaring Eagles clung to a one-goal lead for nearly six minutes in the third period. Even with the extra attacker on the ice, the Magliocco stood tall, making a trio of saves inside the final two minutes of regulation. One more save would have secured the victory, but the Knights snuck the puck pasted EC's goalie with just one tick left in regulation, tying the game at 4-4 and forcing overtime.
Inside the Box Score
- The Purple and Gold were outshot, 47-28.
- Eight different Soaring Eagles finished with one point.
- EC received goals from Bolden, Atkins, Powell and MacLean.
- Bolden and MacLean both scored unassisted goals.
- Cuce, Kramer, Tencza and Hughson were each credited with one assist.
- Magliocco recorded 42 saves in 61:33 minutes between the pipes for EC.
- The Knights finished with five different goal scorers.
- Jory Mullin recorded a game-high three points with a trio of helpers.
- Gibney made 24 saves en route to the win for Neumann.
- Neither team managed to score on the power play, as EC and Neumann finished a combined 0-for-9.
News and Notes
- EC fell to 1-4-0 overall and 1-2-0 inside ECAC West play.
- Magliocco recorded a season high in saves with 42.
- Magliocco's .894 save percentage is also a season best.
- Powell's goal was his team-leading third of the young season.
- Bolden has scored in the first minute of the first period in each of the last two contests.
- Kramer's assist represents his first career point.
- The loss is Elmira's second in overtime this season.
Up Next
The Soaring Eagles will face their second conference opponent in as many days, when Elmira squares off against Manhattanville College in ECAC West action at the Playland Ice Casino in Rye, New York, at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 12th.
