RYE, N.Y. – Artem Mateichenko (Kharkov, Ukraine/New Hampshire Avalanche (EHL)) became the all-time career assists lead in Manhattanville University men's hockey history, but the Valiants fell just short in the history-setting night against No. 5/5 SUNY Geneseo at the Playland Ice Casino on Friday night, 5-4.
Senior forward Mateichenko earned his spot alone atop the record book on the Valiants' goal in the closing minute of the second period, picking up career assist no. 74 on
Corey Popowcer's (Parkland, Fla./Vermont Lumberjacks (EHL)) tally in the third to surpass Jason Murfitt '08 who he had entered the night tied with.
While Mateichenko's effort made program history and helped fuel a comeback effort against one of the top teams in the nation, the Valiants (6-11-1, 5-7-1 UCHC) were unable to climb back out of the three-goal hole Geneseo (15-2-1, 11-1-1 UCHC) put them in. The Knights dominated the first period, outshooting Manhattanville 22-7 over the opening 20 minutes. The end result was a 2-0 lead for the visitors at the first intermission, with Zach Purcell scoring at 14:48 and Carter Diceman striking at 18:24.
Geneseo continued to swarm around the Valiant crease, adding a third goal from Luke Panchisin 5:31 into the second. Manhattanville responded a minute and a half later, as a breakout pass from
Cameron Vassos (Caledon, Ontario/Navan Grads (CCHL)) found
Tristan D'Elia (West Chester, Pa./Philadelphia Little Flyers (EHL)) in the neutral zone. D'Elia carried the puck into the offensive zone and made a cross ice pass to
Tyler Rolston (Newport, Pa./P.A.L Jr. Islanders (NCDC)) who fired a wrister in from atop the far circle, beating Jacob Torgner for the Valiants' first of the night.
The Knights reestablished their three-goal lead following a Valiant major penalty that gave the visitors five minutes of power play time. Panchisin scored his second of the night on the power play with 3:56 remaining in the period. Manhattanville held off Geneseo for the remainder of the penalty and were able to strike again in the closing minute of the period as
Johno Hoins (Telluride, Colo./The Frederick Gunn School / Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL)) found
Nicholas Rogers (Broad Channel, N.Y./Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (NA3HL)) to break out of the defensive end. Rogers did what he's done best all season long, weaving his way down ice for his 15
th goal of the season as he continues to lead the conference and rank amongst the top in the nation in goals scored. The sophomore's tally made it a two-goal game once again entering the final period of play.
After nine scoreless minutes to open the third, the Valiants were given a golden opportunity to get back into the game as Geneseo was assessed a pair of minor penalties to put Manhattanville on the power play with two minutes of 5-on-3. D'Elia collected a rebound off a Rogers slapshot and knocked the loose puck in with the open ice to pull Manhattanville back within a goal at 10:07.
With the Valiants breathing down their necks, the Knights got a crucial insurance goal at the 13:18 mark as Nicholas Kovacs scored an unassisted tally. The fast and furious period continued with Manhattanville's next jab 66 seconds later as Mateichenko etched his name in program history. The senior received a pass from Hoins in the offensive end and dropped to puck off for Popowcer in the far circle. Popowcer let the sharp angle shot fly and found the twine, scoring his third goal of the season and giving Mateichenko the 74
th assist of his decorated career.
Geneseo survived the surge and was able to hold on for the final 5:36 to keep the Valiants from completing the comeback. Manhattanville was limited to three shots over the remainder of play, with only one of those making its way to Torgner in the Knights' net. He finished with 21 total saves to earn the win.
In Manhattanville's crease,
William Billequey (Montreal, Quebec/Vermont Lumberjacks (EHL)) made 34 stops to keep the Valiants in the game. The sophomore netminder made 20 stops in the first period before seven saves in each of the final two frames. Billequey sits at 4-5-1 on the season with a 2.42 goals-against average.
The Valiants won the faceoff battle 34-32, with Hoins dominating on the dot with 16 wins to seven losses.
Manhattanville finished 1-for-2 on the power play with five shots, all coming in their first opportunity. Geneseo went 1-for-5 with six shots on net.
Up Next
The Valiants will look to take game two against the Knights tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m.
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