Some would say that hockey is a game of bounces. Tuesday night, Erie Community College got most of them.
The ECC Kats 3-2 defeated the UB men's club ice hockey team in overtime on Tuesday night at the Amherst Pepsi Center. The game was outside of their league, so their ECHL record remains 4-2 with eight points. UB is currently No. 3 in the standings.
The Bulls came out flat in the first period, allowing a goal 11 minutes into the period. The defense completely broke down on the play, allowing for an ECC defenseman to sneak into the slot and wrist the puck through goaltender John Czaplinski's legs.
The score stood at 1-0 in ECC's favor going into the second period. UB started to collect itself, but not before ECC tallied another goal, this time on the power play. The Ice Bulls remained strong on the penalty kill this year and allowed only one power play goal during the game on seven penalties.
Buffalo found the best way to end a period, however, as Bill Mosler hit the back of the net with 39.7 seconds left in the period. Captain Sean Moskal assisted on the play.
"Moskal with the unselfish play at the end of the (second) period, that got us on the board," senior left winger Joseph Cutolo said.
Buffalo was down 2-1 going into the third period, when Mosler came through again on the power play to tie the game with 16:24 left to play. Moskal and Jeffrey Kraska were credited with the assist.
Four minutes later, though, Mosler found himself in the UB locker room after being ejected for a misconduct penalty. Cutolo said that was not a regular sight to see from Mosler.
"The two goals are pretty standard, but getting thrown out isn't. He got cheap-shotted behind the play about four times, and he just got sick of it." Cutolo said of Mosler.
Buffalo rose up to play with grit and aggression in the third period, visibly hitting and attacking the ECC defense. The game became a two-way battle, with solid goaltending at both ends, especially from UB freshman net minder John Czaplinski.
"(Czaplinski's) good, especially with the rebounds. When there's a rebound out in front, he's usually pretty good a swatting it out of the way. I thought he played a really good game," Cutolo said.
"Yeah, that's how I play the net. That's my style." Czaplinski said.
Czaplinski made his first start of the year after having cartilage surgery on his knee in the off-season.
The two teams would go to overtime, which continued to cover all ends of the ice until ECC managed to wire a shot to the top shelf to end the game.
Opportunities were there early for UB to score, but the ECC defense blocked many shots and loose pucks in the crease.
"They got a lucky bounce, and they scored a nice goal," Cutolo said of the overtime goal.
The Ice Bulls play next at Rochester on Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
