CORTLAND, N.Y. - The Cortland men's hockey team narrowly defeated visiting Potsdam, 3-2, in SUNYAC action Saturday night. The Red Dragons improved to 14-8-2 (9-5-1 SUNYAC), while the Bears fell to 6-16-1 (3-11 SUNYAC).
 
With one league game remaining Friday at home versus Oswego, Cortland is locked into the fourth seed for the SUNYAC postseason tournament. The Red Dragons will host the fifth seed, to be determined, in the first round Feb. 21.
 
Nate Berke (Williamsville/Buffalo Jr. Sabres) opened the scoring 3:57 into the second frame after both teams were unable to convert their respective power play chances in the first, giving the Red Dragons a 1-0 lead. Sophomore Stephen Kyrkostas (Selden/Johnstown Tomahawks) extended the lead for the home side, beating Potsdam goalie Lenny Perno and giving Cortland a 2-0 lead that they carried into the locker room.
 
Potsdam answered just 40 seconds into the final period as Ryan Mahlmeister was able to find the back of the net for the Bears. Max Klanow kept the Potsdam momentum going, evening the score at two apiece with 10:43 to play. A mere 27 seconds later, D.J. Walsh (Port Jefferson Station/P.A.L. Junior Islanders) took back the lead for the Red Dragons off a pass from fellow freshman Colin Anna (Tampa, FL/Wilkes Barre Scranton Knights). Potsdam had four power play opportunities in the third period, but the Cortland penalty kill and senior goaltender Jack Riedell (Greensboro, NC/Charlotte Rush) held the Bears scoreless a man up.
 
Berke, Kyrkostas, and Walsh led the Red Dragons with a goal apiece. Domenic Settimo (East Meadow/P.A.L. Junior Islanders), Andrew Clouden (Hamburg/Seacoast Spartans) and Colin Anna each tallied one assist for Cortland. Jack Riedell saved 29 of the 31 shots he faced.
 
Klanow and Mahlmeister were the two goal scorers for Potsdam and Jack Loran, Michael Campbell and Mathieu Parent all picked up an assist. Perno turned away 31 of 34 shots.
 
Cortland 3, Potsdam 2
 
Score by periods:
Cortland                   0-2-1       3
Potsdam                   0-0-2       2
 
Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists)
Cortland: Stephen Kyrkostas 1-0, Nate Berke 1-0, D.J. Walsh 1-0, Colin Anna 0-1, Andrew Clouden 0-1, Domenic Settimo 0-1
Potsdam: Ryan Mahlmeister 1-0, Max Klanow 1-0, Jack Loran 0-1, Michael Campbell 0-1, Mathieu Parent 0-1.

Saves: Jack Riedell (Cortland) 29 saves (2 GA in 60:00); Lenny Perno (Potsdam) 31 saves (3 GA in 59:36), Empty Net for 0:24
Shots on Goal: Cortland 34, Potsdam 31
Penalties: Cortland 6-12:00, Potsdam 4-8:00
Power Play: Cortland 0-3, Potsdam 0-5
Records after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 14-8-2 (9-5-1 SUNYAC), Potsdam (Bears) 6-16-1 (3-11 SUNYAC)