Ice Knights capture thrilling overtime victory in home opener versus Nazareth

The Geneseo Ice Knights held their home opener at the Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena against Nazareth on Saturday, Oct. 28. The Ice Knights won the game in thrilling fashion with a 3-2 win in overtime. The game was highly contested throughout, with each team losing and gaining on  the scoreboard. The overtime victory was an excellent way to kick off what should be another exciting season for the Geneseo.

The Ice Knights were coming off an impressive 4-1 win in their season opener against Neumann University. The game against Nazareth didn’t start quite as well for Geneseo, however. Nazareth struck first, with a goal scored less than ten minutes into the first period. The Ice Knights had several quality chances to get on the board, but they couldn't solve Nazareth’s goalie Matt Sayles’ gameplan in the first period. The Golden Flyers tallied 17 shots compared to Geneseo’s 11 which culminated in Nazareth taking a 1-0 lead into the first break.

Geneseo didn’t waste any time in the second period, though, with a quick goal from graduate student forward Tyson Gilmour coming only one minute and fifteen seconds into the second period. Gilmour's first goal of the season was a redirected shot from junior forward Stefan Miklakos which beat Nazareth’s defense. Senior defenseman Diarmad DiMurro picked up a secondary assist on the play.  

After numerous chances for both teams and some tremendous saves from junior goalie Adam Harris, the game was deadlocked at one goal apiece before Geneseo was charged with a penalty late in the second period. This proved costly as the Golden Flyers capitalized on the man advantage with a powerplay goal at 18:44 of the second period. Geneseo did record 15 shots on goal in the period, but were able to put any in the back of the net. The Ice Knights went into the intermission down one goal for the second straight period.

Regardless, the resilient Ice Knights tied the game again with a power play goal of their own from freshman forward Luke Panchisin nearly six minutes into the third period. The goal was Panchisin’s second straight game with a goal as he continued the impressive start to his freshman season. DiMurro and junior forward Peter Morgan grabbed the assists on the goal. The Ice Knights had plenty of offensive zone time in the period, as they outshot Nazareth 16-10 in the third period. Harris continued his excellent play as he stopped all 16 shots to keep the game tied 2-2 and forced overtime. 

Under one minute into the overtime period, Nazareth turned the puck over to Gilmour, who alertly gained possession and fired an across-ice pass to Miklakos who buried the overtime winner. The final score came to 3-2 with Geneseo now sitting at 2-0 on the young season. 

Harris captured his second win of the 2023-24 campaign after saving 45 out of 47 shots for a .951 save percentage. DiMurro, Miklakos, and Gilmour each chipped in two points in the overtime victory. 

The Ice Knights will look to continue their impressive start to the season when they go up against SUNYAC rival Brockport at home on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.