FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Fredonia earned an important early season SUNYAC men's hockey win Friday with a late onslaught over the Potsdam Bears.
Bobby Polachek (Kingston, Pa.) scored his first two goals of the season, the first to break a 1-1 tie at 7:35 of the third period. It came moments after the Blue Devils had an apparent go-ahead goal disallowed and paved the way to Fredonia's 4-1 win.
The Blue Devils improved to 2-1-1 on the season and 2-0-1 in the SUNYAC with Plattsburgh headed into Steele Hall for a 4 p.m. Saturday contest.
The loss dropped Potsdam to 2-1-2 overall and 1-1-1 in the SUNYAC.
The Bears grabbed the lead first on a power-play goal by Mike Sweeney at 5:52 of the second period.
Jon Carlson (Fort Frances, Ont.) countered with his first goal of the season at 8:40, the first of three Fredonia power-play goals.
The Blue Devils appeared to take the lead on a rush and chip into the net behind Potsdam goaltender Brendan McMenimen. After a lengthy discussion and a check with the goal judge, the Blue Devils were called for coming into contact with McMenimen before the puck entered the net.
Polachek wasted little time restoring Fredonia's lead when he redirected a shot from the point by
Samuel Wilbur (Saginaw, Mich.)
Polachek's second goal came on a power play at 17:39, with Wilbur again picking up an assist.
Kyle Jelinski (Edmonton, Alberta) added another power-play goal at 19:08 to complete the scoring. It was his first goal of the season.
The Blue Devils outshot the Bears, 45-28, with McMenimen making 41 saves and Fredonia's
Eric Bogart (London, Ont.) coming up with 27 stops.
Polachek was awarded the No. 1 star, Wilbur the No. 2, and Jelinski the No. 3.
Fredonia wore red camouflage jerseys and raised money on what was billed Stroke Awareness Night, a project begun by sophomore forward
Luke Rivera (Pacific Palisades, Calif.). His mother, Dana, and local resident Dan Kubera -- both stroke survivors -- took part in a ceremonial puck drop before the game.
