Fredonia State Athletics Press Release

Fredonia State Athletics, where success is a tradition

Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136

CONTACT: Matt Palisin,
Sports Information Department

DATE: Friday, Dec. 3, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hockey

DeValentino delivers decisive goal

FREDONIA, N.Y. – Freshman Evan DiValentino (Burlington, Ont.) scored the game-winning goal with 43 seconds on the clock as Fredonia State claimed a 3-2 victory over SUNYAC rival Oswego. DiValentino dumped the puck from mid-ice as the Devils were about to execute a line change. The airborne puck landed in front of Laker goaltender Ryan Scott and took one bounce over his shoulder to send the Blue Devils to their sixth confernce win.

In what was a battle for the top spot in the SUNYAC, Fredonia State (9-1-1, 6-0-0 SUNYAC) handed Oswego (9-2-2, 4-2-0 SUNYAC) its second conference defeat of the season in front of a raucous crowd in Steele Hall Ice Arena. The Devils, ranked No. 11 in the USCHO poll entering the game, maintained their hold on first place in the SUNYAC. Oswego had entered the game ranked No. 10 nationally.

The Blue Devils broke into the scoring column first with a Chad Berman (Kentwood, Mich.) goal at 8:53 of the first period. Kraig Kuzma (Muskegon, Mich.) assisted.

Fredonia State upped its lead to 2-0 at 7:07 of the second. Berman scored his second goal of the evening -- this one on a power play. Jim Gilbride (Parma, Ohio) and Adam Haberman (Novi, Mich.) assisted. Fredonia maintained its lead through the end of the frame with stingy defense, fending off a five-on-three Oswego power play that began 9:15 into the period.

Early in the third, Oswego pulled within a goal, courtesy of a Paul Perrier goal. The Lakers tied things up with 2:10 left in the period when Perrier struck again, putting back a rebound off of Fredonia goalie Rick Cazares ( San Jose, Calif.). Gary Bowman and Andy Rozak assisted.

DiValentino then answered back with his game-winner as the capacity crowd erupted. Berman and Kuzma assisted in the four-on-four situation.

Cazares made 24 saves for Fredonia. Scott made 23 stops for Oswego.

Both teams were credited with 26 shots.

The Blue Devils play host to Cortland Saturday at 7:00 at Steele Hall. Oswego moves on to Buffalo State tomorrow evening.

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