Rye, NY – The SUNY Canton men's ice hockey team battled back from down a goal on two occasions but fell just short of a road victory falling 3-2 to host Manhattanville College on Friday evening.

Freshman Kyle Matsumoto (Walnut, CA) used his impressive speed to outrace a Valiant skater into the offensive zone in the final minute but was unable to muster a shot on goal. The Roos pulled their goaltender Spencer Landry (New Hartford, NY) with 55 seconds to play trailing 3-2 looking for to tie the game up. Both Matsumoto and Brett Costello (Lombardy, ON) challenged Manhattanville (5-4-1) net minder Kurt Williams in the final minute but he was up to the task stopping both attempts.

Pulling Landry evened the on-ice skaters at five apiece as SUNY Canton (1-7-1) was whistled for an interference penalty with 1:51 remaining, one of just four penalties in the contest.

The hosts struck first 3:06 into the game when Stephen Gaul beat the opposing goalie for the fifth time this season. Dave Schneider (Indianpolis, IN) evened the game at 1-1 four minutes later netting his second of the season. Dave Ferris (Saratoga Springs, NY) and Ben Beasley (Burlington, ON) earned helpers on the power play marker. The teams were tied at one after one.

Anthony Ragone made it 2-1 Valiants on his first of the year at the 5:23 mark of the middle period. SUNY Canton showed its resiliency once again scoring less than two minutes later off the stick of Nick Vasilopoulos (Montreal, QUE). Matsumoto was credited with an assist on the play.

Adam Platt netted what would be the eventual game-winner at the 12:45 mark of the second period, 82 seconds into a power play opportunity for Manhattanville. The Roos would continue to fight and had eight shots on goal in the final frame as the Valiants held on for the victory.

Both teams went 1-for-2 with the skater advantage in a cleanly skated contest. Landry stopped 33 shots for SUNY Canton, while Williams made 20 saves in his first win of the year for the hosts.

The Roos will continue their road trip on Saturday when they visit Neumann University for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop.