Boxscore

RYE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville offense exploded for seven goals, including the first career multi-goal game from sophomore Jason Bowles (Elkhorn, Man.), as the Valiant men's hockey team opened its 2010-11 campaign with an impressive 7-3 victory over Fredonia State University in a non-conference matchup on Saturday evening at a packed Playland Ice Casino.

Making the switch from #40 to #15 seemed to work very well for the sophomore forward, who scored more goals in the season opener than he did in 20 games as a freshman last year. In addition, junior assistant captain Evan Michalchuk (Edmonton, Alta.) tied his career high with three points on a goal and two assists, while sophomore Scott Hudson (St. Albert, Alta.) registered a goal and an assist to get the Valiant attack going early.

That attack went all-out against the Blue Devil defense, and though the final shot count was only 29-24 in favor of the Valiants, the home team held a definitive advantage in possession – especially when the teams were at even strength. Both teams took advantage when the extra man came on the ice, however, as the Valiants went an impressive 3 for 5 with the man up, while Fredonia State was 2 for 3 on the power play.

Manhattanville did not waste much time in jumping out to an early lead on Friday night, as the home team scored three times in the first 9:18 of the contest to take control. On the power play, Hudson took a pass from Michalchuk and streaked through the middle of the Fredonia defense before ripping a shot into the upper netting for the game's first goal 5:57 into the contest. Bowles then netted his first 1:20 later, as he took a feed from Hudson and found the back of the net, before sophomore Derek Serdachny (Yorkton, Sask.) completed the three-goal stretch from Michalchuk at the 9:18 mark.

After the teams combined for four goals in the opening 20 minutes, the offensive flurry continued in the second period at a faster pace, as six goals were scored. The run was started by Michalchuk 1:25 into the frame, as after assisting on two in the first period he decided to do the scoring himself off a pass from junior Sasha Romanenko (Kharkiv, Ukraine), upping the Valiant lead to 4-1.

After Fredonia's second power-play goal of the night brought the visitors back within two, Manhattanville needed just five seconds on the power play to regain its three-goal advantage. Off the face-off, junior Dillon O'Hara (Wallingford, Conn.) fired a shot that was saved by backup keeper Jeff Holloway, but senior captain Lem Randall (Yellowknife, N.W.T.) was there at the top of the crease for the easy put away 12:39 into the period.

The Blue Devils once again managed to cut the Valiant lead to two less than two minutes later on an Alex Morton tally, but Bowles allowed that to last for just 2:31 thanks to his second of the game. Assists on the tally went to senior Artem Gumenyuk (Kharkiv, Ukraine) and freshman Brian Elser (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.), marking the first collegiate point for the freshman.

After Bowles' goal put the Valiants up by a 6-3 score, the teams looked to be headed into the second intermission at that score before an ill-advised Fredonia penalty late in the frame gave the home team another chance at a goal. Mitch Kulikowski was whistled for hooking with less than four seconds remaining in the period, and senior assistant captain Mickey Lang (Reno, Nev.) won the subsequent faceoff to himself and the All-American somehow beat Holloway with just 1.8 seconds on the clock.

On the night, Manhattanville's five power-play opportunities totaled just 5:22 of ice time, including just five seconds and two seconds needed on the final two man-up chances of the night.

Manhattanville (1-0-0) and Fredonia (0-1-0) will complete their two-game weekend series tomorrow afternoon beginning at 3 p.m. at Playland Ice Casino. Live video coverage of the game will be available on GoValiants.TV starting around 2:55 p.m.