Men’s ice hockey dominates Potsdam, moves to 4-1 on the season

SUNY Geneseo’s Ice Knights looked unstoppable against SUNYAC opponent Potsdam last Friday, Nov. 11, winning 7-1. The team came into the matchup looking to win their fifth straight against the Bears, dating back to Jan. 2020. Sophomore forward Domenic Garozzo led the charge securing his second-career hat trick and first since the Knights won against Plattsburgh last season. 

Geneseo took no time asserting their dominance in this one, as junior forward Jared Thomas shot the puck into the net only three minutes into the game. Thomas was assisted by sophomore and junior defensemen Tommy Winn and Bryce DeFazio. The Knights were able to take 17 shots in the first period but could only net the one goal. 

The team came out of the first break in a big way, scoring off of Garozzo’s first goal of the contest. The goal was assisted by sophomore forward Peter Morgan, minutes before Morgan took the scoring into his own hands and netted a goal of his own. Garozzo and junior defenseman Nathan Poolman added assists. 

 The Bears were able to tally their own goal of the night with senior Ryan Lieth securing the score halfway through the second period. The Knights answered before the intermission, as Garozzo netted his second goal with the help of another assist from Morgan along with fellow defenseman Matthew Doran. The goal allowed Geneseo to take a firm 4-1 lead into the final period.

The Knights did not pull up in the third period with sophomore forward Stefan Miklakos adding a goal of his own with an assist from senior Justin Cmunt. 15 minutes into the frame, Garozzo scored his final goal of the night, assisted by senior forward Tyson Gilmour. Morgan assisted once again bringing his final total to three for the game. Less than three minutes later Cmunt netted the final goal for the team, assisted by sophomore forward Cooper Fensterstock and junior defenseman Diarmad DiMurro. 

Geneseo took advantage of their opportunities versus Potsdam, with four of their seven goals being scored during power plays. They also did well on the defensive side, not allowing the Bears to score in their two periods with a power play of their own. The Knights were able to outshoot their opponents 47-27 during the game and 19-8 in the third period alone. Senior goalie Matt Petizian made 26 saves in the contest, securing the win, and improving to 4-0 in the net this season. Petizian was also named SUNYAC Goaltender of the week following his performance over the weekend. 

The Knights’ win put them at 2-0-0 in SUNYAC play to start the year in what will ultimately be another successful campaign for the program. The team will turn their focus to next week’s matchup, as they face Oswego at home on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7:00 p.m. They will look to put away the Lakers for the eighth straight time, as they have not dropped a match in that SUNYAC series in almost four years. They will then hit the road again and travel to Cortland on Saturday, Nov. 19 for more SUNYAC play.