Fredonia's return to the SUNYAC men's hockey tournament ended with a 2-1 loss Wednesday at SUNY Buffalo State.
Bengal freshman defenseman Colin O'Connor ripped a slapshot for the game-winner early in the third period and senior goaltender Mike DeLaVergne made 18 saves to send the Blue Devils to their season-ending loss.
Senior center Mac McAvoy (Port Colborne, Ont.) scored the lone Fredonia goal and sophomore goaltender Eric Bogart (London, Ont.) stopped 27 shots.
The loss ended the season for Fredonia, the No. 5 tournament seed, at 13-11-2. The Blue Devils were making their first post-season appearance since the 2013-14 season.
Buffalo State, seeded No. 4, improved to 18-7-1 and advanced to a semifinal date Saturday at No. 1 seed Oswego. The Lakers are ranked No. 2 in both national D3 polls, the Bengals No. 13 in one and No. 14 in the other.
After a scoreless first period, the Bengals drew first blood as Robert Smits scored off a faceoff at the 9:28 mark of the second period. Smits one-timed a snap shot after Anthony Passero won the draw and slid into the slot.
McAvoy single-handedly evened the score at the 13:50 mark when he drew a neutral zone faceoff to himself, skated into the offensive end, and rattled a left-handed shot off the inside of the right post for his sixth goal of the season.
Both teams were down a man on coincidental penalties when the Bengals broke the tie. O'Connor received a pass from down low and ripped a shot from the point for his second goal of the year and his first game-winner.
In addition to McAvoy, three Blue Devils were appearing in their final collegiate game: winger and team captain Hunter Long (Lebanon, Tenn.) and winger Marcus Ortiz (Richardson, Texas). The other seniors, winger Frankie Hart (Timmons, Ont.) and goaltender Chris Paulin (Lockport, N.Y.), did not dress.
