Morrisville State hockey upsets #14 Elmira College, 2-1; Relkoff saves career best 58

By Brandy Wilcox Thurston, Director of Sports Information

Junior goaltender Caylin Relkoff (Grand Forks, BC) turned away a career best 58 shots as Morrisville State College men’s ice hockey opened the 2009 season with a 2-1 upset victory over #14 nationally ranked (by USHCO.com) Elmira College Friday night Oct. 30 in Elmira.

Elmira held the 18-9 advantage in shots on net in the opening period, but it was Morrisville State who struck first, taking the one goal lead 15:26 into the period, as Rob Sgarbossa (Campbellville, ONT) fired a shot past Elmira goaltender Darren McDonald for the score. Dave Shultz (Trucksville, PA) and Adam Hercules (Toronto, ONT) were each credited with the assist.

In the second, Hercules extended the Mustang lead to 2-0, netting the eventual game-winner off a pass from Shultz and Geoff Matzel (Cazenovia, NY) at the 7:02 mark. Relkoff kept the Soaring Eagles off the scoreboard, saving 19 in the period.

Elmira was finally able to sneak one past Relkoff just 4:44 into the third, as John Clewlow converted on the power play opportunity, bringing Elmira to within one of the Mustangs in the final stance.

With less than four to go, Morrisville State was whistled for a high stick penalty and Elmira awarded their third power play opportunity of the period, but the Mustang defense held the Eagles to just one shot on net.

At 19:15, Elmira pulled McDonald for the extra man, but failed to convert as Relkoff stopped two additional to secure the non-conference victory for Morrisville State.

McDonald saved 24 in the loss for Elmira (1-2-0). Elmira held the 59-26 advantage in shots on goal on the night.

Morrisville State (1-0-0) returns to the ice Saturday hosting the Soaring Eagles for the home opener at 7 p.m. at the Morrisville State IcePlex.

Box score:

Scoring Summary

1st MORR 15:26 Rob Sgarbossa (Dave Shultz, Adam Hercules)

2nd MORR 7:02 Adam Hercules (Dave Shultz, Geoff Matzel)

3rd ELM 4:44 PP John Clewlow (Larry Willard, Rick Acorn)

Shots on Goal

Morrisville (9-10-7 26), Elmira (18-19-22 59)

Power Plays

Morrisville (0-1), Elmira (1-5)

Saves

Morrisville 58 (Caylin Relkoff, 60:00, 58), Elmira 24 (Darren McDonald, 60:00, 24)

Morrisville State hockey upsets #14 Elmira College, 2-1; Relkoff saves career best 58

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