PITTSBURGH, Pa. - January 24, 2023 - Chatham Men's Hockey hosted Buffalo State in their first of three non-conference games this week. Not only would the Cougars win 8-4, but they would break several records in the process.
Junior Carson Grainer got the Cougars started with a power-play goal thanks to help from senior Matt Mood and first-year Oscar Saarinen. Grainer was followed by sophomore Matthew Doyle, again assisted by Mood and adding an assist to senior Tristan Hillebert. First-year Caden Smith would put the Cougars at two-for-two on power-plays, with sophomore Zack Conner and senior Andrew Warhoftig recording assists. Warhoftig would net his own goal, the 20th of his career, before the period was up, making him the new all-time leading scorer in Chatham Men's Hockey history.
After a productive first period, Buffalo State gained a bit of momentum with two quick goals. First-year Bekk McClaine would put a stop to their scoring spree with his first career goal, which would also be the eventual game-winner. Classmates Saarinen and True Crowe assisted in the effort.
Sophomore Evan Mitchell was the next to ink his name on the scoresheet, with Warhoftig recording his third point of the night on the lone assist. McClaine would score his second of the night shortly after, with senior Lucas Rothe assisting. An empty netter sealed Buffalo State's fate after several minutes worth of extra-skater attempts, and this was scored by Matt Mood after receiving passes from first-years Michael Hurst and True Crowe.
First-year Nick Bernstein achieved his first collegiate win tonight making 34 saves, 14 of which came in the third period alone.
The victory over Buffalo State marks the team's 11th of the season, which also breaks the program's single-season wins record. These feats come with eight games still to be played in the regular season, leaving ample opportunity to continue setting records.
The Cougars have a home-and-home with Fredonia this Friday and Saturday, starting first at the Hunt Armory for a 3 PM puck drop.
