Hockey Tops Hosts 4-2 To Reach North Country Tournament Championship Game

CANTON, NY (November 30, 2024) - Max Resnick scored twice as the Tufts University men's hockey team defeated host SUNY Canton 4-2 on Saturday night in the opening round of the North Country Tournament at Terry Martin Arena.

The Jumbos (3-2-1) will now face Rivier University in the championship game of the tournament on Sunday at 4:30 PM. The Raiders defeated SUNY Potsdam in Saturday's other opening-round game 2-1 in overtime.

Tufts got going quickly tonight on Resnick's first goal less than two minutes into the action. During a strong Tufts possession in the Roos' end, Sylas Oberting moved in from the left point to a loose puck and took a shot that was blocked. Defenseman Drew Pitts collected the puck in the right circle and fed Resnick alone in the slot and he fired home the first goal of the game.

SUNY Canton (3-6) tied the score at 1-1 with 4:43 remaining in the first on a beautiful end-to-end rush by Adrian Franco.

However, the Jumbos got the lead back before the period was out as Jon Horn created a turnover in the Roos' end. He tapped the puck over to Trace Norwell, who sent it back for a one-timer by Horn that was saved. Norwell was perfectly positioned to score on the rebound from the left side.

Following a scoreless second period, the Roos tied the game on a power play. During sustained pressure by the hosts, Niko Schoner drifted with the puck from the left point into the slot and scored through traffic for a 2-2 score at 10:13 of third.

The Jumbos had a quick answer again though. On a powerplay, Cole Dubicki set up Resnick on the left side. His shot was blocked by Samuel Moshurchak, but the puck remained in the vicinity and Resnick was able to score on a second attempt.

The Roos pulled goalie Trey Miller with three minutes remaining in the third, but the Jumbos blocked four shots (two by Resnick) and then got an empty-net goal from Brennan Horn who flung the puck down the ice and in from his own end.

With Miller out of the net and the Roos playing with an extra man again, Jumbo goalie Gus Bylin (24 saves) made two stops to finish off the victory for Tufts.

Total shots finished 35-26 in Tufts' favor. Miller made 31 stops in the SUNY Canton net.