Box Score CANTON, N.Y. -- Both sides put their high skill level on full display throughout the night and into overtime, with neither squad able to break through as Stevenson and SUNY Canton played to an entertaining 4-4 season-opening tie on Friday night.
SUNY Canton (0-0-1) registered four unanswered goals, including three on the powerplay. Stevenson (0-0-1) jumped ahead 2-0 in the first period and scored two more in the third, battling back to draw even at four, as part of a back and forth opener.
- The Mustangs drew an early power-play in the first period, owning possession in the attacking zone. While Stevenson didn't score on the man advantage, the Mustangs cashed in shortly after off the rush as Malcom Palmer registered the first goal of the season for a 1-0 lead less than five minutes into the contest.
- Stevenson had another strong look off the rush, racing in from the left wing before sending a slap shot in front. Ryan Kenny made a pair of stops in goal for the Mustangs before turning one more attempt away moments later.
- The Mustangs doubled the advantage to 2-0 off a loose puck, as Seth Bergeron finished in front with 6:33 left in the opening period. Anthony Starzi had the assist on the chaotic sequence at the front of the net.
- After being whistled for their first penalty of the season, Kenny flashed the glove to make a nice save in traffic. Later, SUNY Canton converted as the hosts trimmed the lead to 2-1, capping a big offensive stretch.
- The Roos surged ahead with a pair of goals in 22 seconds, taking a 3-2 advantage. SUNY Canton received the tying marker from Jack Mayette, later adding the go-ahead tally from Jesse Farabee.
- Kenny squared for a big save following a carryover penalty, but the Roos ballooned the edge to 4-2 off the faceoff and feed to the left circle. The power-play marker came just 1:31 into the third for the hosts.
- The Roos had a man-advantage for nearly four minutes after a pair of Stevenson penalties in short order. The Mustangs killed off both penalties, but time continued ticking down to around the six-minute mark in the period.
- Stevenson worked its way back to a one-goal deficit as Brendan Rylott deflected one in front following a shot-pass from the point. Off the restart, Kenny pushed across to make a save on a 2-on-1 chance for the Roos.
- Off a hooking call, Stevenson went to the powerplay with 3:30 remaining in the period. After skating in from the point, a cross-ice pass led to an easy goal for Alex Rivet following a tape-to-tape feed from Palmer as Stevenson knotted the score at four.
- After up and down action in the overtime, Kenny stopped Farabee on a breakaway chance.
- Stevenson had a chance alone in the slot, but SUNY Canton goalie Pierce Diamond made a strong glove save of his own. Off an odd-man rush, Diamond turned away another shot from the Mustangs with 1:10 left.
- Friday's season opener was back and forth for both sides with Stevenson scoring a pair of goals in the first and third periods, sandwiched between three goals for the Roos in the second frame.
- Stevenson won each of its exhibition contests this season, coming against Wilkes and Lebanon Valley.
- Graeme McCrory was a +3 for the Mustangs, while Rylott and Rivet posted a goal and assist.
- Kenny made some timely stops throughout the night, finishing with 33 saves.
- SUNY Canton was playing its first game since the 2019-20 campaign after not competing last season.
- Palmer's goal was the first of his collegiate career as Stevenson raced in front.
- The Mustangs held a 13-8 edge in shots, holding possession for large chunks of the opening period.
- Kenny finished with five saves in the first period, including a handful just before Stevenson extended its lead to 2-0.
- The Mustangs are 4-0-2 in season openers over the program's history.
- Stevenson and SUNY Canton will wrap up the weekend with another meeting on Saturday, October 30 at 4:00 PM.
