Men's Hockey Sweeps Skidmore to Close Out Season

Saratoga Springs, NY ~ The Paul Smith's College men's hockey team finished their season on a high point over the weekened, taking two games from Skidmore.  The Bobcats won 9-4 on Saturday, and dominated 8-0 on Sunday en route to a weekend sweep.  

On Saturday, every single Bobcat skater recorded a point, but it was Skidmore who got on the board first and held a 1-0 lead going into intermission.  The Bobcats would storm back, netting four goals in the middle frame.  Eli Gordon (Ithaca, NY) got things started on a nice solo effort, roofing the Skidmore goalie to make it 1-1.  After relinquishing the lead, the Bobcats would tie it again on a Mike Hansen (New Hartfoed, NY) goal, with an assist going to defensive linemate Dylan Jannarone (Brick, NJ).  The Bobcats would once again go down a goal, but finished the middle frame with an intensity that Skidmore just couldn't match.  Gordon would record his second of the game and tie it at 3-3 before freshman forward Colin Palmer (Clifton Park, NY) put the Bobcats on top for good.  

The third period was all PSC, as they would put a five spot up on Skidmore.  Palmer added two more to earn a hat trick, while Ryen Janus (Frederick, MD), Hansen, and Derek Grant (Potsdam, NY) closed out the scoring for the Bobcats.  It was Grant's first goal of his career.  Hunter Erwin (Kenai, AK), Joe Beaudoin (Falmouth, MA), Kyle Davis (Canandaigua, NY), River Yearwood (Bethesda, MD), Palmer, and Hansen would all add solo helpers.  Nate Schocke (Crystal Lake, IL) and Zach Thoren (Raleigh, NC) recorded two assists each, and senior goaltender Jack Ruckman (Westfield, NJ) recorded a win in his final start for Paul Smith's College, finishing with 23 saves.

"As sad as it was to play my last college hockey game, I couldn't be more happy with the friends and relationships I have made from the program," said Ruckman.  The senior goaltender from Westfield, NJ will be graduating from the Culinary Arts program an entire year early with a 3.91 GPA, good enough for highest honors - an impressive feat to say the least.  

On Saturday night, the Bobcats were in true form, shallacking Skidmore and winning 8-0.  Colin Palmer recorded his second hat trick in two days and added an assist, while linemates River Yearwood (three assists) and Eli Gordon (two goals, one assist) rounded out the dominant effort for the Bobcats first line.  Ryen Janus and Mike Hansen added a goal and assist each while Dylan Jannarone and Joe Beaudoin each had solo helpers.  Zach Thoren and Kyle Davis each finished with two assists, while freshman goaltender Kevin Zamazal (Opava, Czechia) had a beautiful 3/4 ice pass to Gordon to gain a primary assists of his own - something exceedingly rare for a goaltender.  Zamazal stopped all 19 shots and earned his first shutout for the Bobcats. 

Graduating senior Colin Miller (Averill Park, NY) ended his PSC career on a high note, burying an empty-netter from the far blueline in the last few minutes to the delight of his family and friends in attendance.  "Every shift is your last shift, that's the way hockey is played," said Miller.  "My last game felt bittersweet, but also enjoyable.  I'm glad to have played this last game with the best group of guys," he added.

Sophomore assistant captain Dylan Jannarone reflected on how far the Bobcats have come this year.  "This season was a huge improvement.  We had a great group of guys come in this year to help get to where we want to be.  We are going to be a team that will surprise a lot of people in the upcoming years - next year starts now," stated Jannarone.  "Really proud to end the season with two great wins and for everyone to have at least a point this weekend," he added.  

The Bobcats finish their season with a 7-14 record, showing marked improvement from 1-12-1 overall last season.  They'll look to continue on the upward trajectory next season, as they already have six committed athletes for Fall '23.  You can follow the team on Instagram at @pschockey or follow Smitty Nation at @smitty_nation. 

At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences and natural resources. We are able to draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive and adventurous individuals collectively provide experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at paulsmiths.edu »