BRUNSWICK, MAINE— The SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (4-4) built an early 2-0 lead before succumbing to Colby College (1-2) 4-3 in overtime in the first round of the Bowdoin-Colby Face-Off Classic. Junior forward Bryce Ferrell (Buffalo, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres), senior captain Ben Mariano (Harrisburg, Pa./Hartford Wolfpack) and senior assistant captain Vincent Guimond (Sorel-Tracy, Quebec/Gloucester Rangers) each scored for the Bears, while senior assistant captain Nate Skidmore (Syracuse, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres) finished with 24 saves.
 
Potsdam went on the penalty kill just 29 seconds into the contest. The Mules managed three shots during the man advantage, but Skidmore stopped each one and the Bears emerged unscathed. Just eight seconds later, Ferrell scored on Potsdam's first shot of the game to make it 1-0. Freshman forward Devin Panzeca (Lake Zurich, Ill./East Coast Wizards) and sophomore forward Brett Horn (Cary, N.C./Humbolt Broncos) each assisted on the play. The Bears hit the post 10 seconds later, but made up for it at 4:47. Mariano struck on Potsdam's second shot on goal with helpers from senior defenseman Trevor Dennis (Rochester, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres) and sophomore defensemen Joseph Richardson (Palm Beach, Fla./PAL Islanders). Colby finally answered at 7:49 with a goal from Michael Morrisey to make it 2-1. Potsdam outshot the Mules 12-9 in the first period.
 
The Bears killed two more power plays in the opening minutes of the second period before extending their lead on one of their own. Guimond beat Mules goalie Andrew Tucci to make it 3-1 with 7:13 gone in the stanza with helpers from Richardson and senior captain Mike Sweeney (Pittsburgh, Pa./PAL Islanders). However, Colby went on its fourth man advantage at 7:56 and capitalized. Nick O'Connor made it a 3-2 contest at 8:40. The Mules then tied the game just 26 seconds later with Morrissey's second marker of the game. The score was still even after 40 minutes.
 
Colby outshot Potsdam 9-6 in the third period, but the score remained the same as both goaltenders were sharp. Potsdam killed off the Mules' fifth power play and the teams headed to overtime.
 
Skidmore made two saves in the extra session, but O'Connor scored on Colby's third shot at 3:06 to give the Mules the 4-3 win.
 
Tucci matched Skidmore with 24 saves for the victory. Colby outshot the Bears 28-27 and was 1-for-5 on the power play. Potsdam was 1-for-4.
 
The Bears wrap up the weekend when they face Bowdoin College tomorrow in Waterville at 1 p.m.