POTSDAM, N.Y.—Freshman forward Ryan Mahlmeister (Massapequa, N.Y./PAL Junior Islanders) scored in overtime to give the SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (4-9) a 6-5 win over SUNY Canton (3-7) on Friday night. Sophomore defenseman Drew Rose (Brasher Falls, N.Y./Utica Jr. Comets) scored twice and graduate student forward Rob Clerc (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Oswego State) and junior forward Jack Ludwig (Sylvania, Ohio/Chippewa Steel) had the other two goals.
 
Canton had good pressure from the outset. The pressure led to a cross-checking penalty against Potsdam and the Kangaroos took advantage. At 3:54, sophomore forward Brendan Morrow (Wetaskiwin, Alberta/Lloydminster Bobcats) tipped a centering pass over the shoulder of Bears sophomore goalie John Werber (Skillman, N.J./Team Maryland) for a 1-0 lead. Potsdam slowly worked its way back into the contest. At 14:51, senior captain Nick Alfieri (Buffalo, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres) picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and carried it into the zone. He flipped a pass to Clerc in the slot. Clerc ripped into the top of the net to even the score. Canton had its second power play late in the period, but couldn't take advantage. The scored remained even at the break.
 
Canton opened the second period the same as the first, with good pressure. However, Werber was solid, keeping the score even. At 4:33, Ludwig put the Bears up with a feed from Clerc. Senior defenseman Ryan Lieth (Warwick, N.Y./New York Apple Core) had the second assist. The momentum didn't last as Potsdam was called for tripping at 6:15. Just 57 seconds later, Canton tied the score with a power-play marker from sophomore forward Colton Sipperley (Tampa, Fla./New Hampshire Monarchs). Potsdam jumped ahead again at 13:10. Rose scored on a shot from the left point after Alfieri fired the puck around the boards. Graduate student forward Jack Bloem (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Connecticut Rangers) had the second assist. Again, Canton answered almost immediately, with sophomore forward Zac Sirota (Vaughan, Ontario/Grand Prairie Storm) scoring 33 seconds later. The score was 3-3 after two periods.
 
Rose gave the Bears the lead again 3:50 into third period. He picked off a clearing attempt, skated into the left faceoff circle and roofed the puck over Canton freshman goalie Nate Hopkins (Wakefield, R.I./Seahawks Hockey Club). Potsdam held the lead four about 12 minutes before two quick strikes from the Kangaroos. Morrow scored at 15:12 and again at 17:37 to complete his hat trick. Potsdam countered at 18:00 as Alfieri tipped a shot from Rose past Hopkins to tie the score. Lieth picked up the second assist.
 
Potsdam outshot Canton 3-1 in overtime. A three-on-one break finished the game 2:13 into the extra session. Junior forward Jack Loran (Massena, N.Y./New England Wolves) sent the puck to his left where Mahlmeister buried it for the victory.
 
Werber finished with 43 saves for his first career victory. Hopkins finished with 26 saves. Canton was 2-for-4 on the power play and Potsdam was 0-for-2.
 
The two teams meet again tomorrow night in Canton at 7 p.m.