POTSDAM, NY – Nate Berke (Williamsville/Buffalo Jr. Sabres) scored the game-winning goal with over six minutes remaining in the third period, and the Cortland men's hockey team defeated Potsdam 4-2 to finish a 2-0 weekend in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) action on Saturday evening. Cortland moves to 5-2 (3-1 SUNYAC) on the year, while Potsdam falls to 4-4 (2-2 SUNYAC).

Berke had a three-point night for the Red Dragons, scoring a pair of goals to tie for the team lead with six on the season, and also providing an assist. Colby Seitz (Eden/Corpus Christi Ice Rays) netted his first goal of the year, while Justin Legault (Oakville, ON/Burlington Cougars) found the back of the net for the third time of the season.

Domenic Settimo (East Meadow/P.A.L. Jr. Islanders) had a pair of assists for Cortland, and won 16-of-21 faceoffs. Nate Boak (Canton/El Paso Rhinos), Sam Christiano (Buffalo/Buffalo Jr. Sabres), Evan Beaudry (Mississagua, ON/Kemptville 73's), and Dino Mannetta (Wading River/P.A.L. Jr. Islanders) each chipped in an assist. Ronan Mobley (Playa Del Ray, CA/New Hampshire Avalanche) made 17 saves in goal for his fourth victory of the year.

Jakub Hall and Max Klanow both scored for Potsdam, with Owen Watson and Mathieu Parent providing assists. Lenny Perno stopped 40 shots in goal in a losing effort for the Bears.

Cortland went on the power play just five minutes into the contest after a high sticking penalty by Potsdam. Although Cortland could not score on the power play after Christiano had a shot strike off the crossbar, the Red Dragons kept the puck in their offensive zone after the penalty and were rewarded with the opening goal.

After Boak's shot from the point was blocked, Christiano picked up the puck along the right side boards and sent a cross-ice feed to the back post, where Legault was able to knock a shot into the back of the net at the 7:39 mark.

Cortland doubled its advantage less than two minutes later, after a give-and-go between Berke and Settimo, with Berke finishing into the top right corner with a backhanded shot to make it 2-0.

With under five minutes left in the period, Potsdam pulled to within a goal, as Hall knocked in a loose puck in front of goal for the Bears. Cortland held a decisive 21-5 edge in shots on goal in the first period, but Perno made 19 saves to keep the score at 2-1 into the intermission.

The second period featured chances for both teams, with the goalies staying perfect in the frame. Mobley made a few huge saves early in the period, and Perno responded with a strong save on a breakaway attempt on Berke, as Cortland had 13 shots on goal and Potsdam had 7 shots on goal.

Midway through the third period, Cortland went on the power play with a chance to extend the lead. The Red Dragons couldn't find an insurance goal, and allowed the tying goal after the puck took an unfortunate bounce off the side of the Cortland net out front to Klanow, who slid a shot past Mobley to tie the score with 8:22 remaining.

Just nine seconds later, Potsdam committed another penalty that eventually led to Berke's game winner. On an offensive zone faceoff, Settimo sent the puck back into the slot to Berke, who ripped a wrist shot into the top right corner of the net to make it 3-2.

In the final six minutes, Cortland committed two penalties to give Potsdam a chance to equalize again, but the Red Dragons stood strong on defense.

With a minute and a half remaining, Potsdam pulled the goalie for an extra attacker. Following a faceoff, Mannetta did well to chip the puck out of the Cortland defensive zone to Berke near center ice. Berke then sent a cross-ice feed to Seitz, who slid a shot into the empty net to secure the victory.   
 
Score by periods:
Cortland               2-0-2      4
Potsdam              1-0-1      2

Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
Cortland: Nate Berke 2-1, Domenic Settimo 0-2, Colby Seitz 1-0, Justin Legault 1-0, Sam Christiano 0-1, Nate Boak 0-1, Dino Mannetta 0-1, Evan Beaudry 0-1
Potsdam: Jakub Hall 1-0, Max Klanow 1-0, Owen Watson 0-1, Mathieu Parent 0-1

Saves: Ronan Mobley (Cortland) 17 saves (2 GA in 60:00); Lenny Perno (Potsdam) 40 saves (3 GA in 58:59); Empty Net (Potsdam) (1 GA in 1:01)

Shots on goal: Cortland 44 (21-13-10), Potsdam 19 (5-7-7)
Penalties: Cortland 4-8:00, Potsdam 5-10:00
Power Play: Cortland 1-4, Potsdam 0-3

Records after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 5-2, 3-1 SUNYAC, Potsdam (Bears) 4-4, 2-2 SUNYAC