It was everything we've come to expect from a hockey game between Buffalo and Syracuse but after two tight wins this season the Orangemen walk away from tonight's NECHL semifinal on the painful side of a one goal game.
The game was chippy from the get go and both goal tenders were called upon to stop multiple odd man breaks but Syracuse got a break in the first period and scored a goal on one of their 11 shots. Buffalo put on intense pressure but the defense of Syracuse blocked a ton of shots, only seven UB shots got through in the first.
During the second period Brenden Robinson tied the game on a power play goal and a fantastic series of saves by Tyler Stark held the score at 1-1 going into the second intermission.
Five minutes into the third period Chris Marsack wrapped around the back of the net and was seemingly on behind it when his shot found the back of the net to give UB a 2-1 lead.
From that point on the game was in the capable glove hand of Stark and he was up to the task. Despite a relentless flurry from Syracuse the 2-1 score held up and the Bulls took the match.
Tomorrow night UB will tak on Niagara in the finals. Puck drops at 4:00pm at the Tennity Ice Pavilion.
