RYE, NY - Dropping the puck on the 2024-25 season, the Manhattanville University men's hockey team welcomed new conference-mate SUNY Brockport to the UCHC with a 5-4 victory on home ice.
Brockport put up numbers first scoring just above seven minutes into the first period. Josh Grund of the Golden Eagles netted the first goal for Brockport on a power play. The Valiants struck back tying the score at thirteen and a half minutes with a goal from Mitchell Watson at even strength. Manhattanville continued to thrive off adrenaline as Nicholas Rogers shot and scored just twenty seconds later putting the Valiants up 2-1 at the end of the first period. Regardless of Brockport outshooting Manhattanville 18-13, the home side managed to hold the upper hand pushing into the second period.
The Golden Eagles replied to the Valiants two quick goals by being the first to score in the second stanza of the contest. Five and a half minutes in, Chase Maxwell scored tying up the game once again, 2-2. The Valiants countered with two more goals putting them ahead 4-2 at the end of the second period. Senior forward Artem Mateichenko put the puck in the back of the net with an assist from Rogers just under two minutes after the previous goal. Johno Hoins scored the fourth goal for the Valiant as their first power play goal of the game to end the second period. James Gregory and Lane Paddison each added assists for themselves as well.
Manhattanville stretched the goal disparity to the largest we would see all game. Ryan McKenna scored the fifth and final goal for the Valiants at even strength with an assist from Johno Hoins. The score now stands at 5-2 with Manhattanville on the edge of victory. The Golden Eagles were not going down that easy. With more than twelve minutes remaining in the third period, Brockport scored two goals within twenty seconds of each other to put the game at 5-4 as the final would read. Dominic Chirico and Jacob Gates were the two Golden Eagles responsible for bringing their score back up to within one. It was a scramble to the finish line with Brockport pulling their goalie and putting an extra skater on the ice in hopes of tying the game. Manhattanville stood their ground and remained defensively strong fighting to the last second. The final score of the contest remained 5-4 as the Valiants were victorious.
Manhattanville's goalkeeper, Sebastian Woods faced 29 shots from the Golden Eagles throughout the contest.
Brockport's goalkeeper, Cole Hudson faced 22 shots from the Valiants through the three periods.
The Golden Eagles also held the upper hand winning 40 faceoffs compared to the Valiants 37.
Up Next
The two sides compete again tomorrow evening at 3:00 pm at the Playland Ice Casino for day two of the home opening weekend.