CANTON, N.Y.—Hamilton College (3-0) scored two goals in the final two minutes to break a tie and defeat the SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (1-6) 3-1 in the first round of the North Country Tournament at SUNY Canton. Freshman forward Jakub Hall (Anchorage, Alaska/Richmond Generals) scored his second career goal for the Bears and freshman goalie Lenny Perno (Rochester, N.Y./Richmond Generals) made 36 saves.
 
The  Continentals outshot Potsdam 13-7 in the first period. The Bears were able to kill off two penalties, but Hamilton still struck first. Just 6:26 into the contest Jackson Krock found the back of the net to make it 1-0. The score was unchanged at the break.
 
Hall got Potsdam even 2:17 into the second period with an-even strength goal. Sophomore forward Mathieu Parent (Kapukasing, Ontario/Renfrew Wolves) won the faceoff to the left of the goal after an icing. Hall moved around a Hamilton defenseman and tucked the puck under Continentals goalie Charlie Archer. Each team had an unsuccessful power play in the middle stanza. Perno stopped 17 Hamilton shots in the second and the contest remained tied after 40 minutes.
 
The Bears held the edge in play early in the third period, building a 9-5 advantage in shots. However, a late flurry from Hamilton put the Continentals back on top. Perno stopped a shot at the right side of the net, but Max Bulawka buried the rebound at the left side to make it 2-1 with 2:00 left. With 1:06 remaining, Hamilton was called for too many men and the Bears went on the power play. Potsdam called time out and pulled Perno for an extra attacker. Unfortunately, the Continentals won the ensuing faceoff and Ben Zimmerman sent the puck the length of the ice for a shorthanded, empty-net goal five seconds later. A skirmish in front of Hamilton's goal with 33 seconds left resulted in roughing call against the Bears, negating Potsdam's power play. Perno was pulled a final time with 15 seconds on the clock, but neither team was able to score again.
 
Archer finished with 20 saves to earn the win. Both teams were 0-for-2.
 
The Bears will now face the loser of Canton-Trine University in tomorrow's consolation contest. If Potsdam faces the Thunder, the contest will be at 3:30 p.m. If the Bears battle the host Kangaroos, the teams will square off at 7 p.m.