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Blue Devils win on Stroke Awareness Night, 5-1

OBSERVER Photo by Justin Goetz Fredonia State’s Luke Rivera (23) waits for the puck in front of Bryn Athyn goaltender McKenzie Chalmers during Friday’s game at Steele Hall Ice Arena.

The early part of most hockey games is where the team sets the tempo of how they want the game to be played.

The Fredonia State Blue Devils brought with them a fast and physical game on Friday night, allowing them to dictate the pace of the game and beat Bryn Athyn on Stroke Awareness Night in a non-conference game at Steele Hall Arena, 5-1.

Fredonia State saw much of the early chances, as they controlled much of the puck possession. The Blue Devils implemented a very aggressive forecheck, which gave Bryn Athyn difficulties on the breakout.

Bryn Athyn, clearly frustrated from the strong play of Fredonia State, tried to find a game changing hit, but instead found themselves with the first penalty, a two minute minor for boarding.

For the remainder of the first period the Blue Devils dominated possession. However, Bryn Athyn was quite successful getting in the shooting lanes.

“We want to get off to good quick starts, we want to put people under pressure. Honestly, I thought Bryn Athyn did a good job of handling it,” said Fredonia State coach Jeff Meredith.

The first period ended on a sour note when Fredonia State took an unfortunate checking from behind penalty, resulting in a game misconduct.

“Penalties are going to happen. But I think there is avoidable ones, and we have to stay away from the avoidable ones,” said Coach Meredith. “When we play Oswego next Friday, they’ll just torture us if we don’t stay out of the box.”

The Blue Devils brought with them into the start of the second period a remaining three minutes short handed.

Bryn Athyn took full advantage of their opportunity netting the opening goal of the game, as Nikita Smirnov ripped a goal in from the half wall, beating Blue Devil goalie Anton Rosen blocker side.

Eventually, Fredonia State saw the scales tip in their favor as Bryn Athyn took a few penalties early in the second. Jake Haynes took full advantage of the opportunity, netting a powerplay goal on the backhand.

The middle of the period saw an exchange of penalties, but once again it would be Fredonia State to capitalize. Early into the powerplay, Charlie Manley fired a laser shot/pass to Jimmy Morgan in the high slot, Morgan’s tip found the top left corner giving the Blue Devils their first lead of the night.

“Our powerplay is coming, we’re feeling good about it,” said coach Meredith.

Fredonia continued to take advantage of the Bryn Athyn mistakes late into the period. Charlie Manley found himself on the scoresheet for the third goal as the Bryn Athyn goaltender played the puck off of Manley into his own net. After two period the Blue Devils led, 3-1.

The Blue Devils picked up right where they left off in the second, as they dominated the possession. Fredonia found their fourth goal, again as a result of their tenacious forecheck. The goal went to Haynes, unassisted.

Fredonia State added a fifth and final tally on a goal by Todd Schauss. The Blue Devils cruised into a final of 5-1.

The win was extra special for the Blue Devil’s Luke Rivera, the mastermind behind Stroke Awareness night.

“About 10 years ago my mom had a stroke. And I didn’t really ever hear of a stroke awareness game, and it’s so close to my heart. So I approached coach Meredith with the idea and the team was just happy to help along the way,” said Rivera. “It means the world to see the support from campus, family and friends. It means more to the community and everybody around here.”

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