Black Division Quarterfinals: Farmingdale Defeats Rutgers in Overtime Thriller

In the third game of the Black Division tournament, #3 Farmingdale took on #6 Rutgers. This was the most tightly contested game of the quarterfinals thus far, predominantly due to some quality goaltending and penalty kill play by both sides. The game’s first goal wasn’t scored until the 2:55 mark of the second period, when Peter Abazis cleaned up a rebound in front of the Rutgers net to put his team up by one. Later in the period, a battle for the puck by the Farmingdale net resulted in Harrison Rauh punching in the game-tying goal. 

In a tie game to start the third, Marco Malandruccolo and Brendan Dixson got a two-on-one opportunity, in which Dixson scored to give the Rams the lead. The Scarlet Knights were quick to respond, however, with Christian Hoppeler tying the game right back up. Neither team could find another regulation goal, bringing this contest into overtime. 

After killing off a five-minute major that extended through the end of regulation and the beginning of the overtime period, Farmingdale found its hero. Dixson capitalized on a rebounded puck and buried his second goal of the game to secure a 3-2 overtime win. Farmingdale will either play Sacred Heart or NYCHC, pending the results of the final game of the quarterfinal round. 

3 Stars of the Game

1. Farmingdale, Brendan Dixson: 2 goals including overtime winner

2. Farmingdale, Luke Richardson: 34 saves on 36 shots

3. Rutgers, Aaron Rodriguez, 35 saves on 38 shots