PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (4-11-1) mounted a late rally before falling to Wentworth Institute of Technology (3-9-1) 4-3 in the Comfort Inn Complex Winter Classic Consolation game on Saturday afternoon. Freshman forward Ryan Mahlmeister (Massapequa, N.Y./PAL Islanders) and graduate student forward Michael McArthur (St. Thomas, Ontario/Oswego State) each had a goal and an assist. Sophomore defenseman Drew Rose (Brasher Falls, N.Y./Utica Jr. Comets) also scored for the Bears.
 
The teams traded power plays in the first half of the opening period. The Leopards were the first to capitalize. Josh Faussett notched a power-play goal at 11:52 for the 1-0 lead. The man advantages allowed Potsdam to generate strong chances and outshoot WIT 14-7 in the first 20 minutes, but they trailed by one at the intermission.
 
The defenses clamped down in the second period, allowing just 12 shots combined. There were three more power-play opportunities and the Leopards took advantage. At 14:55, Nikolas Sombrowski gave WIT its second power-play goal of the game. It was 2-0 Leopards after two periods.
 
The Leopards scored their third power-play goal early in the third period to build a three-goal advantage. Nolan Lowe scored at 5:31 to make it a 3-0 contest. The Bears finally answered 56 seconds later. Mahlmeister scored a power-play goal at 6:27. McArthur and senior defenseman Connor Cruickshank (Brampton, Ontario/Brampton Admirals) assisted on the goal. At 12:06, Jacob Shankar scored for WIT while the Leopards were at even strength, looking to thwart any Potsdam momentum. However, McArthur responded in just 37 seconds, while on the man advantage and the Bears were down 4-2. Cruickshank and graduate student forward Jack Bloem (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Connecticut Rangers) picked up the assists. Potsdam kept coming. The Bears went on the power play again at 13:38 and at 14:58 Rose struck with helpers from sophomore forward Garrett McArthur (London, Ontario/Markham Royals) to get Potsdam within 4-3. The Bears pulled senior goalie Stephen Friedland (West Bloomfield, Mich./East Coast Wizards) with 1:34 remaining, but couldn't find the equalizer.
 
Friedland finished with 21 saves and Leopard goalie Jack McGovern stopped 24 shots for the win. The Bears were 3-for-9 on the power play and WIT weas 3-for-7.
 
The Bears are back in action on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. when they face SUNY Canton at Massena Arena.