The UB Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) hockey team (5-2-1) went 2-0 over this past weekend, starting with a hard fought shootout win over the Binghamton Bearcats AAU - D1 (12-5-2) on Valentine’s day. Buffalo then followed up with a 6-3 win over St. Bonaventure (11-6-1) on Saturday to cap off the weekend.
On Friday, junior defenseman Brandon Licursi responded to an early Bearcats goal at 15 minutes to tie the score with help from junior centerman Ryan Peterson. After falling behind on the penalty kill, senior forward Anthony Coty notched his tenth point of the season to tie the game at two, assisted by junior defensemen Quinn Griffin and Peterson once again.
After a back and forth second and third period, with goals from Coty, junior forward Tanner Douglass and freshman defensemen Christian Williams, the game went into overtime tied at five. After a tight battle in overtime, both teams were held at five, sending the game into a shootout.
Goals from Peterson, Coty was once again and a game winning shootout goal from junior forward Jack Gallagher, UB closed Friday night’s game out.
Their weekend series continued on Saturday afternoon in St. Bonaventure.
Saturday’s match produced the Bonnies opening up the scoring less than two minutes on the board. Tullo responded with assistance from sophomore defenseman Blake Belt to put Buffalo on the board. Goals from Douglass and Peterson closed out the period 3-2.
The second period was a tight-fought race, with both teams putting up a point each. Freshman forward Caleb Leahey scored, with assists from Belt and senior forward Matthew McCulloch.
Buffalo was early to open the third period this time with a goal in under two minutes of play from sophomore forward Matthew Bielinski. He scored his tenth of the season and second of the game later on to put the Bulls up 6-2, securing the win.
The Bulls are now headed to the playoffs.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Ken Smith
