PITTSBURGH, PA – Chatham Men's Hockey (20-5-1, 10-5-1) faced off against SUNY Brockport (10-16-0, 6-10-0) in the first round of the UCHC tournament on Wednesday. The Cougars outlasted the (#6) Golden Eagles, winning 4-3 in triple overtime. Their 20th win of the season, a program record for wins in a single season, clinched their spot in the UCHC semi-finals, and the five-hour-plus game was the longest in Cougars hockey history. It was also the longest game in UCHC history.

The first period saw the Golden Eagles grab the momentum. They would grab the early 1-0 lead after finding the back of the net, on the power play at 5:09. Not phased, the reigning UCHC Player of the Year, Nick Cyprian, would put the Cougars on his back. His 1st goal of the playoffs would tie the game 1-1, four minutes later. Cyprian's 18th goal of the season was assisted by Tyler Samodral and Camden Smith. The teams headed into the first intermission in a deadlock, with both teams wanting to take control of the game. 

In the second period, the Golden Eagles took the fight to the Cougars. They would quickly score, at 1:11 into the frame, and take a one-goal lead. Later in the period, the Golden Eagles solved the Cougars' defense again, tying the game at 2-2. The teams battled the rest of the frame, and it appeared as if the game was slipping away from the Cougars as they headed into the final frame, down two. 

The Cougars would flip this narrative in the third period. 11 seconds into the frame, the Cougars would get within one. Tyler Samodral scored his 1st of the playoffs and 13th goal in his sophomore season, from Cyprian and Jake LaRusso. Samodral's goal signaled a momentum shift in favor of the Cougars as they controlled the play for the rest of the period. Pressing for the equalizer, Chatham pulled their goaltender with two and a half minutes left. With the extra skater, First Year Caden Pendo rose to the occasion, coming up huge for the Cougars. Pendo, facing a three-on-one rush, bearing down on the empty cage, stopped a sure goal and caused a critical turnover. Moments later, he would score his 8th goal of the season and 1st of the playoffs with just over a minute left to play. Setting up the equalizer was Camden Davis. This would set up free hockey for the packed house of rabid Cougars faithful as the game went to sudden death overtime, tied 3-3. 

In the 1st overtime, neither team could find the game-winner. A lengthy delay because of a broken glass broke up the period, and the Cougars attacked, as they fired 11 shots on goal in the frame. Goaltender Cameron Kuntar stood tall, making 6 key saves as the game went into the second extra frame. In the 2OT, the Cougars faced a daunting battle. A controversial penalty put Chatham at a disadvantage. A strong penalty kept the Cougars' season alive and meant the game would head to its third 20-minute overtime session. Early in the third overtime, the Cougars would finally end the marathon, finding the back of the net. Charlie Smith would enter the zone and drive the net. Breyden Zupsanksy, playing in his 19th career game, cleaned up the rebound to bury the game-winner. The 3rd goal of his career and 1st playoff point was the difference, clinching the Cougars' semi-final birth. 

Offensively, Chatham was led by Nick Cyprian and Tyler Samodral, each earning two points, picking up a goal and an assist each. Defensively, the Cougars laid their bodies on the line with four Cougars picking up 5 or more blocks, led by Kyler Contessa and his game-high six. In goal, Cameron Kuntar added to his case for goalkeeper of the year. Kuntar posted a .953 save-percetage in over 100 minutes played, after making a career high 61  saves. He earned his 13th win on the season, setting a single-season Men's Hockey record. 

The Cougars' playoff road continues on Saturday, February 28th. They hit the road against (#2) SUNY Geneseo in the UCHC semi-finals. Puck drop is slated for 7 pm.