Bobcats Tame Mustangs to Start Second Semester

Saranac Lake, NY ~ Make it nine in a row.

The Paul Smith's College men's hockey team have been demolishing the competition over the last two months, undefeated since mid-November and on a nine game winning streak.

A big part of their success has been their special teams work.  During the winning streak they have scored 11 power play goals on 25 attempts (44%) while killing 27 of 28 penalties for an unheard of 96% conversion rate on the penalty kill.  They've also added six shorthanded goals to prove their dominance even more, making them one of the best special teams units in the country.

"This nine game streak has been exactly what we've needed and exactly what we've been building toward," said head coach Casey Gerrish.  "The energy and camaraderie on the bench has resulted in not only terrific hockey, but a deep appreciation for the game and the joy it brings us as a team."

Friday's matchup was close after the first as Attila Quesnel (Montreal, QC) and Marshall Kiteley (Selkirk, MB) put the hosts up 2-0.  The floodgates opened in the second, however, as Quesnel and Julien Shafer (Queensbury, NY) would score two each while Dylan Sauve (Wappingers Falls, NY) would record his first collegiate goal, putting the Bobcats up 7-0 going into the final period.

Michael Lachance (Attleboro, MA) added two goals in the third while Caden Engle (Clinton, NY), Omar Uqdah (North Adams, MA), Ryen Janus (Frederick, MD), Tristan Côté (Shannon, QC), and Shafer all added solo goals.  Shafer and Quesnel each finished with hat tricks, while Sean Wright (Wappingers Falls, NY), and Hazen Stoufer (East Montpelier, VT) finished with three assists each.  Zach Thoren (Raleigh, NC), Colin Palmer (Clifton Park, NY), Côté, and Uqdah each had a pair of assists while Mike Hansen (New Hartford, NY), Dylan Jannarone (Brick, NJ), Tyson Smith (Cato, NY), Collin Trapiss (Macedon, NY), Janus, Quesnel, Shafer, and Kiteley tallied solo helpers.  Kevin Zamazal backstopped the win with a 19-save shutout.

Janus earned Player of the Game on Friday going up against his step father, Dave Hammer, who is the head coach of the Mustangs.  "It felt good getting PoG on Friday and the bragging rights, but all in all in hockey a win is a win and getting nine consecutive wins now with the boys is awesome!" exclaimed Janus.  

Saturday's rematch was more of the same as the Bobcats put five past the Mustang goaltender in the opening frame.  Joe Beaudoin (Falmouth, MA) got things started just two minutes into the game with a hard shot from the point that found its way into the back of the net for the game winner after a nice D-to-D pass from defensive partner Kyle Davis (Canandaigua, NY).  Owen Kime (Waterloo, NY), Larry Parece (Woburn, MA), Wright, and Palmer would score goals to make it 5-0 after one.

Quesnel and Stoufer traded goals in the second while two other Bobcats rounded out the scoring in the third.  JP Meyer (Mamaroneck, NY) tallied his first goal of the season just a minute into the final frame on a nice tip play setup out of the corner by Wright.  Tyson Smith buried his first collegiate goal with 10:59 left on a nice move to open up a lane as he wristed the puck past the Mustang keeper on the glove side.

"Scoring my first collegiate goal was an unreal feeling," said Smith, who was awarded Player of the Game for not only his first collegiate goal but for the culmination of the work he's put in to work himself into the regular lineup.  "When I scored that goal the whole team got excited, and on my way to the bench the opposing team's coach even said good job to me.  The overall support from this team has been amazing," he added. 

Ethan Stefaniak (Franklin, VT) stopped 27 shots to earn the shutout and record his fourth win of the season as the Bobcats move to 16-5 overall.  When asked about the difference between playing at the high school and collegiate levels, Stefaniak noted, "The transition was definitely a little bit nerve racking but it's been super fun playing a more fast paced and aggressive game.  It's been awesome being able to contribute to the wins and support the team - it's a super fulfilling feeling and it's been a great experience," he added.

The team will take on Union and UAlbany this upcoming weekend at the Saranac Lake Civic Center at 7pm Friday and 2:30pm Saturday, respectively, in two crucial Upstate New York Collegiate Hockey League (UNYCHL) East Division matchups.  If the Bobcats win both games, they lock up the #1 seed going into the UNYCHL playoffs.

You can follow the men's hockey team on Instagram at @pschockey or follow the general athletics account at @smitty_nation for schedules, updates, photos, and much more!

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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.