Geneseo, NY - The Curry College Men's Hockey team will take on the SUNY Geneseo Knights in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at 7pm from the Ira S. Wilson Arena. The Colonels enter the game at 20-5-1, while the Knights are 21-5. Both teams earned at large bids for the NCAA Tournament. The winner of Saturday's game will take on the number one overall seed Hobart on March 16th.
The Knights, coming out of the SUNYAC, had nine all-conference players, led by first teamers Adam Harris and Alex Wilkins. Harris was also named the conference's goalie of the year with a 2.33 GAA and .928 save percentage. Wilkins, a defenseman had four goals on the season. The Knights have a potent offense, with four double digit goal scorers, led by Alex Dameski's 19. Behind him are Tyson Gilmour and Luke Panchisin with 11 each, and Peter Morgan. All four also boast double-digit assists, led by Morgan's 24. Morgan and Dameski were named to the SUNYAC's second team, while Gilmour was named to the third team and Panchisin the all-rookie team
For the Colonels, the team goes as their goalie, Shane Soderwall, goes. Soderwall was named the CCC's rookie and goalie of the year with a 1.66 GAA, and .942 save percentage. Meanwhile on offense, the Colonels are led by Gage Dill and Eelis Laaksonen, who were named to the CCC's first and second teams. Tied for the team lead in points with 27, Dill leads the team with 17 assists, while Laaksonen leads the team with 12 goals. Rounding out the Colonel's three-headed monster on offense is the CCC's Scholar Athlete of Year, Tao Ishizuka. The senior has had a career year with nine goals and 13 assists.
Saturday night marks only the eighth time that Geneseo and Curry have faced off. The last meeting between the programs was during the 2009-10 season, and the Knights hold a 4-3 all-time record against the Colonels.
Fans can follow the stats along HERE, and watch the game HERE
