POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (8-16-1, 5-11 SUNYAC) defeated Buffalo State (9-14, 4-10-2) 4-3 to complete a weekend sweep and clinch the final spot in the SUNYAC Playoffs. Freshman forward Jakub Hall (Anchorage, Alaska/Richmond Generals) scored twice and sophomore assistant captain Mason Hoehn (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Richmond Generals) had a goal and two assists. Senior forward Jack Loran (Massena, N.Y./New England Wolves) scored the game-winner and freshman goalie Lenny Perno (Rochester, N.Y./Richmond Generals) made 33 saves for the Bears.
 
Potsdam took advantage of a power play early. At 6:23, Hall buried his fourth goal of the season. Sophomore defenseman Michael Campbell (Toronto, Ontario/Jersey Whalers) and freshman defenseman Eli Doughart-Wood (St. Louis, Mo./Navan Grads) had the assists. The Bengals pushed back, ending the period with a 11-5 advantage in shots, but trailed 1-0 after one.
 
Hall struck again 4:53 into the second period with helpers from senior assistant captain Josh Bifolchi (Ottawa, Ontario/Mississauga Ontario) and Hoehn. Hoehn then extended the lead to 3-0 on a wraparound at 12:01 that beat Bengals freshman goalie Marcus Cumberworth (Surrey, British Columbia/Olds Grizzlys). Senior forward Michael Olszewski (Niagara falls, N.Y./Cobourg Cougars) assisted on the play. Buffalo State finally answered just 1:24 later, when sophomore forward Ryan Messing (Hamburg, N.Y./Metro Jets) solved Perno with a low, glove-side wrister. Loran buried the eventual game-winner with 26 seconds left and Potsdam took a commanding 4-1 lead into the second intermission. The Bears outshot the Bengals 16-5 in the period.
 
Buffalo State was able to ramp up its pressure in the third period, but it didn't seem to make a difference at first. With just over five minutes to go, Cumberworth was pulled for an extra attacker. At 16:03, junior forward Joe Glamos (Baldwinsville, N.Y./New Jersey Titans) scored through traffic in front of the net. Just 1:28 later, freshman forward Jake Meure (Fremont, Calif./Ogden Mustangs) did the same and the lead was down to 4-3. The Bengals continued to battle, but the Bears were able to prevent the equalizer and close out the win.
 
Cumberworth finished with 24 saves. Buffalo State was 0-for-3 on the power play and the Bears were 1-for-2.
 
After the game, seniors Bifolchi, Olzewski, Loran and Tyler Lisieski (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Vermont Lumberjacks) were honored on senior night.
 
On Wednesday night, the sixth-seeded Bears will travel to third-seeded Plattsburgh State for a 7 p.m. showdown in the first round of the SUNYAC Tournament.