This weekend Siena Hockey was back in action for a home two game showdown versus the defending SECHL Champions in Clarkson University. Coming into this game, the Saints were looking to bounce back strongly in the SECHL standings after ending their last league matchup with a 4-1 loss to Army.

Both teams were set and the puck was dropped at the Albany County Hockey Facility. It would be Assistant Captain Daalten DeMarsh that would find the back of the net to break open the scoring in the first. Clarkson would answer with just five minutes left in the first with a goal from Harrison Allen to even the score at one goal a piece heading into the second period. The Saints would take the ice strong in the second period as Sophomore Patrick Temple would light the lamp for the fifth time this season giving the Saints a 2-1 lead. The game would follow the back and forth trend as Clarkson would tie the game at two a piece late in the second, but this time Siena had an answer before the period ended. Junior Defenseman Tim Robinson found the back of the net after joining the rush to make it 3-2 Saints at the end of the second period. Senior Patrick Rowan would bury his fourth of the season six minutes into the third to increase the Saints lead to two. The rest of the game would remain silent thanks to a few late game heroics from Senior Goaltender Matthew McCarthy and the Saints would come out on top by a score of 4-2. McCarthy would earn the win stopping 34 of thirty 36 thrown his way and Patrick Temple would take home the Player Of The Game with a big goal on the night.

Clarkson is notorious for splitting the majority of their series with league opponents, doing so with Marist University and Army so far this season. On top of that, the second matchup this weekend brought more than just a game, Siena Hockey was celebrating Senior Night. Senior Goaltenders Matthew McCarthy & Matthew Witkop, Senior Defenseman Patrick Rowan & Jay Kelleher and Senior Forwards Dominic Rosone, Anthony Zappala, TJ Pierce & Alex Stone were all celebrated for their accomplishments on and off the ice with the program. The stakes were high, league points were on the line and both teams were ready to go from puck drop. The first period would stay quiet ending how it started, 0-0. Clarkson would open up the scoring just eleven seconds into the second period with a goal from Evan Collette. Ultimately this game was shaping up to be a goaltenders battle between Siena’s Matthew McCarthy and Clarkson’s Ryan Hurwitz as Collette’s goal would be the only marker of the period, ending the second period 1-0 Clarkson. Five minutes into the third, Freshman Dominick Oppedisano and the Siena Powerplay would strike to tie the game at one. This score would stick until the end of regulation, and Siena was set for their first overtime matchup of the season. Last season the Saints led all of ACHA in overtime losses with five, so they were poised for a true test this evening. The Overtime period would go back and forth featuring game saving stops at both ends until Oppedisano sealed the deal with thirty seconds left for his second tally of the night. Assistant Coach Dave Hunter had this to say about the change in approach to overtime;

“Dropping five games in overtime last year certainly left a bad taste in our mouths so we decided this year to spend about half of our practice time working on man-on-man situations. It’s become a staple of how we get ready for the weekend ahead, but most importantly, our guys are doing a great job at executing our strategies at a high speed.” 

Oppedisano’s goal gave him the team lead in goals but more importantly tied him for first in points in the SECHL. McCarthy would stand as a brick wall stopping 28 of 29 shots thrown his way, earning his eleventh win of the season, moving him to number one in the ACHA M2 in wins. Oppedisano’s efforts would earn him the Player Of The Game. Post game Oppedisano had this to say about his game winner;

“It felt great to get the victory against a strong league opponent and on senior night. Playing for all the seniors was special and I’m glad we got the win on their night of celebration.” 

The Saints will have the weekend of Thanksgiving off, and their next puck drops will take place December 6th and 7th as they take on RPI in their annual home-and-home matchup. December 6th’s game will be held at the Albany County Hockey Facility and December 7th’s game will be held at RPI’s Houston Field House.

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