POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (0-0-1, 0-0-1 SUNYAC) raced out to a 2-0 lead on goals from senior assistant captain Tyler Young (Massena, N.Y./Kanata Lasers) and sophomore forward Ben Thompson (Canterbury, Conn./New Hampshire Avalanche) before No. 3 SUNY Geneseo (0-0-1, 0-0-1) rallied for a tie on two power-play goals. Bears sophomore goalie Michael Paglucca (North Reading, Mass./New Hampshire Avalanche) made 38 saves in his second career start.
 
The first period featured back-and-forth action and three power plays. Potsdam jumped out in front at 12:18 on the man advantage as Young tipped a pass from junior defenseman Jon Venter (Guilford, Conn./Syracuse Stars) past Knights freshman goalie Matt Petizian (Mississauga, Ontario/Hawkesbury Hawks) for a 1-0 lead. Sophomore forward Robert Clerc (Wappinger Falls, N.Y./Oswego State) picked up the second assist. Just over four minutes later, Thompson grabbed a loose puck in the neutral zone, skated across the blue line and ripped a shot over Petizian for a 2-0 lead. The Bears held the same advantage at the first intermission.
 
Geneseo controlled the play for much of the second period, firing 12 shots on Paglucca. The Knights went on their second man advantage of the contest at 7:04 and got on the board 52 seconds later. After passing around the points, senior defenseman Tanner Salsberry (Plainfield, Ill./Bentley Falcons) beat a screened Paglucca from the middle of the blue line. The Potsdam goaltender handled the rest of the chances that came his way and the Bears held their one-goal advantage after 40 minutes.  
 
Each team created strong opportunities as the third period progressed, but it was Geneseo getting the next marker. Potsdam was whistled for a hooking call at the 6:09 mark and Knights senior forward Tyson Empey (Swift Current, Saskatchewan/Flin Flon Bombers) buried a one-timer from the right side of the crease 30 seconds later. Geneseo continued to press for the rest of regulation, but Paglucca made 15 more saves to force overtime.
 
Both teams were close in overtime, but couldn't net the game-winner. Paglucca had three stops in the extra five minutes.
 
Petizian made 15 saves in his collegiate debut. The Knights were 2-for-6 on the power play and Potsdam was 1-for-3.
 
The Bears host the College at Brockport tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The Golden Eagles invade Maxcy Ice Arena fresh off a 3-1 win at Plattsburgh State.
 

A.A.K. Kingston teacher, Potsdam Alum and two-time cancer survivor Lynn Tharrett drops the puck before the Bears-Geneseo game on 11/1/19. Knights and Bears captains Conlan Keenan and Vincent Guimond are to her left and right, respectively.