MORRISVILLE, NY –  On Sunday, Chatham Men's Hockey (10-2-0, 4-2-0 UCHC) faced off against SUNY Morrisville (2-9-2, 1-3-2 SUNYAC). The Cougars defeated the Mustangs 7-4 to remain undefeated in 2026. 

The Cougars came out and controlled much of the play in the first period. After a couple of Chatham chances were turned away, the Mustangs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after an even-strength goal at the six-minute mark. The Cougars, not deterred by the lead, responded on the power play. Sophomore Tyler Samodral netted his 6th goal of the season, from Cyprian and LaRusso, to even the game at one goal apiece. Building on the momentum shift, twenty seconds later, senior Nick Cyprian gave the Cougars their first lead of the game with assists going to LaRusso and Samodral. Less than a minute later, Michael Roby found the back of the net for his 10th goal of the season and 2nd straight year with double-digit goals, to put Chatham up 3-1. In the last minute of the frame, the Cougars would add two more goals. Junior Kyle Contessa netted his 4th goal of the year from Babbie and Norkevicus, and freshman Caden Pendo scored his 4th goal of the year, shorthanded, from Smith and Norkevicus, ending a dominant frame with the Cougars up 5-1.

In the second period, SUNY Morrisville battled its way back into the game. Two minutes into the period, the Mustangs scored to cut the Cougars' lead to four. On the powerplay, the Mustangs put another home to make it 5-3 at the 6:27 mark of the frame. Ten minutes in, the Mustangs scored their third straight unanswered goal, this time on the power play. The Cougars entered the third period with a slim one-goal lead, up 5-4. 

The third period saw the Cougars put the game out of reach. Tyler Samodral scored his second of the game from Caden Pendo to make it 6-4. Ian Norkevicus would add an empty net goal late in the period to clinch the Cougars victory. 

The Cougars' special teams effort propelled them to victory as they scored two short-handed goals on the night. Samodral and Norkevicus lead the way, each recording a team-high 3 points in the victory. In addition, three other Cougars (Cyprian, LaRusso, and Pendo) recorded multi-point games as the Cougars' offense continued to impress.  

Men's Hockey returns home on Friday, January 9th, taking on Hiram for the program's alumni weekend festivities. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 pm at the Alpha Ice Complex.