Paolucci Sends Raiders to North Country Tournament Championship with OT Winner

CANTON, N.Y. – Senior forward Nicolas Paolucci called game after potting the game-winning goal in overtime to send the Raiders to the North Country Tournament Championship game with a late overtime winning goal at Roos House Saturday afternoon.  

As a result, the Raiders jumped to 3-3-1, while the Bears fell to 4-5-0.

SUNY Potsdam took charge early, putting five of their eight shots on target. The Raiders found their stride 7:28 into the first period. Junior forward Matt Horan showed his finesse as he dangled through two Bears defenders, connecting with an open first-year defender Brady Bomal who rifled a shot on target. First-year forward Jared Salminen was on the receiving end of the kick save from Bomal's shot to pot the game's first goal and put Rivier up 1-0.

With just over three minutes remaining in the opening period, Potsdam notched the game at one a piece, capitalizing on a turnover behind the Raiders net. Rivier put two more shots on net but came up empty and headed into the first break deadlocked.

The Raiders continued to apply offensive pressure at the beginning of the second period. Paolucci backchecked into the neutral zone to cause a Bears turnover and played the puck to the far faceoff circle where senior forward Jon Tavella dished it to classmate Cormac Hayes giving Rivier their best chance of the period. Potsdam had several chances of their own as they outshot the Raiders 15-10 in the period.

The third period was much like the second as the Bears continued to apply the offensive zone pressure. They tallied 14 shots to Rivier's five, but the game remained tied at one when the horn sounded at the end of regulation.

Following a two-minute break, three-on-three overtime commenced with a clean face-off win for Potsdam at the center dot. The Bears' Garrett McCabe sent in the first shot but was denied on a block by Junior defenseman Carter Poulin. With just 1:02 left of the clock, Paolucci went coast-to-coast off passes from sophomore defenseman Devon Jolley and Hayes to punch the Raiders' ticket to the North Country Tournament Championship.

Senior goalkeeper Luke Newell logged 37 saves in the win.

The Raiders will face off against the winner of Tufts and SUNY Canton on Sunday, Dec. 1. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Roos House.