Blue Devils Blank SLC; Massena, Salmon River Rise

OGDENSBURG - The look on the coaches' faces was worth two-thousand words on Monday after OFA (9-4, 9-2 NAC) retained a share of the NAC Division II Hockey lead with Salmon River by blanking St. Lawrence Central 5-0 at the Golden Dome arena.

And their reactions revolved around finishing scoring chances and the denial of Blue Devil goalie Dave Prudhomme in the first period.

"The best thing we did tonight was finish that third period. We didn't get complacent and we scored three goals," said OFA Associate Coach Matt Morley.

"In earlier wins against Norwood-Norfolk and Salmon River we seemed to have a letdown in the third."

Drew Costigan, playing in just his second game of the season provided an early uplifting scoring the first two goals of the game while Prudhomme, who collected 24 saves on the night, handled a series of close range threats by the Larries.

"We just didn't finish at a critical times early in the game said," said SLC Coach Mickey Locke.

"If we convert those chances it could have been a much different game. We have had trouble converting all year."

Costigan remarked in Saturday's game that his knee felt fine after reconstructive surgery but felt the brace was wearing slowed him down a little. He showed no sign of impairment scoring twice on a night when he and fellow junior linemates Brandon Mullin and Jake accounted for four goals.

"Having Drew back is a big plus. One of the best things about our team this year i we don't have to depend on one line for our scoring. It is coming from a lot of different players," said OFA Coach Jon Frederick.

"St. Lawrence Central is a good team and Dave Prudhomme held us in there in the first period.

Costigan converted from Mullin at 7:55 of the first period and completed a setup from defensemen Joe Giglio and Trey Lawrence at 3:12 of the second period.

The third period flurry, which also included a missed penalty shot, saw Dustin Harper net a penalty shot 33 seconds into the period off assists from Mullin and Lawrence. Mullin scored the prettiest goal of the game at 2:26 turning a breakout pass from defender Alex Hewko into a solo open ice rush past a defender for a 1-on-1 against goaltender Tyler Kowalchuck.

Lawrence matched Mullin's one goal, two assist night by scoring from the point with a hard wrist shot where Costigan and Garrison picked up assists.

Nate McLaughlin (15) and Kowalchuck (8) finished with 26 saves for the Larries.

In the other two NAC boys hockey games played on Monday, Massena posted a 4-1 Division I win on the road over Canton while Salmon River skated to a 5-1 decision at home over Division II rival Franklin Academy.

Massena 4, Canton 1: At Canton, the Raiders scored three goals in the first period and then held off the Bears for their 14th straight victory while staying perfect in NAC play.

For Massena (14-2, 10-0 NAC) Luke Bender, Ryan Chauvin, Connor Dix and Dillon Stone all scored goals while Dix and Chauvin also assisted once.

For Canton (2-10-3, 1-5-2), Jesse Gilbert scored in the third period from Zach Zeller and Matt Mende.

Connor Paquin made 12 saves in goal for the Raiders while Jake Watson had 39 stops for the Bears.

Salmon River 5, FA 1: At Tom Cavanaugh Arena, the host Shamrocks raced out to a quick 3-0 lead then put the game out of reach with a two-goal burst midway through the third before the Huskies broke through for their only goal.

Lucas Tarbell opened the scoring just 3:49 into the game assisted by Tye Terrance. Ryan Thomas made it 2-0 at the 5:22 mark from T.J. Roundpoint and Terrance before Oakley Thomas capped the decisive first-period outburst by finishing off a play set up by Adam Bomberry and Terrance for a power play goal at 8:08.

After a scoreless second period, the Shamrocks got goals just 30 seconds apart in the ninth minute to go ahead 5-0.

Colton Hart notched an unassisted shorthanded goal at the 8:03 mark before Oakley Thomas capped the Salmon scoring off an assist from Terrance at 8:33.

Cameron Daniels spoiled the Shamrocks' bid for the shutout when he converted off an assist from Shawn Mulverhill with 3:00 remaining.

Cory Garrow handled nine of the shots he faced backstopping the win while Joey Brown was credited with 24 saves for the Huskies (1-14, 1-5).

The Shamrocks are slated to return to action on Wednesday at home against Potsdam starting at 6:30 p.m.