Buffalo, NY – Logan Kelly recorded two goals and one assist but the Roos were unable to overcome a three goal first period deficit in a 6-4 loss at Buffalo State in a SUNYAC First Round playoff game on Wednesday evening in Buffalo.

THE BASICS

• Result: Buffalo State 6, SUNY Canton 4 
• Location: Buffalo State Ice Arena – Buffalo, NY
• Records: Buffalo State (16-10-0) | SUNY Canton (9-16-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Bengals got on the board first just 2:31 into the game using a strong forecheck as Michael Marquez found Sutton Murray out in front as he batted a bouncing puck out of the air and into the back of the net for the early lead.
• The hosts doubled their lead at 8:35 of the opening frame when Vadim Kirakov collected the puck between the circles, evaded a Canton defenseman and flipped the puck over the pad of Nate Hopkins for the 2-0 lead.
• Just over a minute after the second Buffalo State goal, Canton was whistled for back-to-back penalties 44 seconds apart as the Bengals skated 5-on-3 for 1:36 of clock time. Six seconds after the Roos killed the first of those penalties Austin Micale lit the lamp on a power play goal off a loose puck rebound at the left post. Kiriakov and Marquez were credited with assists on the play. The Bengals held an 11-8 shots on goal advantage in the opening period taking a 3-0 lead to first intermission.
• Canton got one back at 8:13 of the middle period when the Roos quickly broke out of their defensive zone. Scott Cremen played the puck forward to Kelly at their defensive blue line with Kelly hitting Niko Schoner through the neutral zone. Cremen skated hard down ice getting just in front of a Buffalo State skater as Schoner hit him between the circles as he lifted a shot past the blocker of Marcus Cumberworth.
• Two minutes later the Roos scored 38 seconds into a power play. After the Bengal defense blocked a pair of Kelly shots the third time was the charm. He skated in from the blue line to the high slot and wristed a shot high through traffic to get Canton within one. Cremen and Schoner were credited with assists on the power play score.
• The Bengals regained a two goal advantage with 2:49 left in the second when the puck came loose off a Buff State offensive draw to Tyler Penree alone in front of Hopkins 1-on-1. Penree deked Hopkins left then right and slid the puck into the open net for the 4-2 advantage.
• Canton had a 13-11 shots on goal edge in the second but the Bengals led 4-2 after 40 minutes.
• The Bengals regained their three goal advantage just 52 seconds into the third of another offensive zone draw. Micale wristed a shot through traffic off the pipe and in with Joe Glamos earning an assist on the faceoff.
• Buffalo State tacked on a sixth goal off the stick of Tommy Chunchukov for the 6-2 lead at 3:41 of the third.
• Trailing by four and on the penalty kill the Roos pulled Hopkins for an extra skater with 6:12 remaining. That decision paid off when Canton got within three just 20 seconds after pulling Hopkins. Jordan Prepszl played the puck from the point to Colton Sipperley at the right circle. He rifled a quick pass circle to circle to Evan Pringle who one-timed a shot for the score.
• Shortly after the score the Roos were back in the penalty box and Canton pulled Hopkins once again on the penalty kill with 4:02 remaining. Just 30 seconds later Kelly scored his second of the night on a short sided tough angle shot beating Cumberworth high glove side. Brendan Morrow and Cory Liu picked up helpers on the play.
• The Roos pulled Hopkins again with 2:45 to play and Canton stayed with the extra attacker the remainder of the way but was unable to complete the comeback.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Kelly led the Roos with two goals and one assist with Cremen and Pringle also scoring. Schoner registered a pair of assists.
• Kelly finishes his rookie season with 10 goals and four assists as he concluded the season on a tear registering seven goals and three assists over his final four games. With his two assists Schoner finishes the year leading the team in goals (13), assists (16) and points (29).
• Cumberworth made 26 saves in the win for the Bengals, while Hopkins turned aside 25 shots in defeat for Canton.
• The Bengals held slim advantages in shots on goal (31-30) and faceoffs (38-37). Both teams went 1-for-3 on the power play.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
This concludes the Roos 2024-25 season as they finish their first season in the SUNYAC in the SUNYAC First Round. Buffalo State advances to the SUNYAC Semifinal where they will travel to the two seed Oswego State on Saturday at 7 p.m.     
   

Discover SUNY Canton, where innovation meets opportunity. The college's career-focused educational programs emphasize hands-on and applied learning opportunities in digital design, engineering technology, health, information technology, management, public service, and veterinary technology. Faculty members bring real-world experience and exceptional academic expertise to the classroom. As a leader in online education, SUNY Canton offers unmatched flexibility with hundreds of courses and 25 comprehensive degree programs offered completely online. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the SUNYAC. In addition to its 15 traditional teams, SUNY Canton offers coed varsity esports and cheerleading.