PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Ringing in 2026 with a winter break victory, the Wesleyan men's hockey team put away a stunning 3-2 overtime victory over Suffolk University on Saturday afternoon in the second of two games to conclude the Comfort Inn Complex Winter Classic, hosted by Plattsburgh State.
Scoring his second goal of the weekend,
Danny Markham '28 kicked off the fight midway through the opening period. Capitalizing on a turnover on a centering pass by the Rams (5-5-1 overall) to clear their own zone, Markham punched the puck over the line after several attempts by Markham and
Owen Mahar '29 as the Cardinals (3-6-0 overall) attacked. Mahar picked up an assist on the goal, his second of the season.
Entering the second period with a chip on their shoulder, the Rams tied the game up with just two minutes underway, Nolan Leonard putting a goal behind
Patrick McDevitt '28. The Rams built upon the momentum, scoring on the man advantage as the Cardinals found themselves down a forward on a holding call. Aiden O'Connell was credited with the go-ahead tally.
The Cardinals would find themselves tied up again with the clock continuing to wind down in the second period, this time it would be
Andrew Haxton '28 for the books. Forcing a turnover in the neutral zone,
Zach Stimeling '27 quickly found Haxton for a one-on-one opportunity with Austin McNicholas in goal for the Rams.
Without a goal recorded in the final 20 minutes of action, Haxton's goal sent the match to overtime, the first for the Cardinals this season. The Cardinals caught a break with 3:20 remaining as the Rams were called for hooking. Centered at the blueline, Haxton set up
Dylan Margel '29 for the game-winning shot that snapped a four-game string of defeats.
Margel led all Cardinals with six shots on goal. From the draw,
Danny Judge '26 finished with 10 faceoff wins.
In goal, McDevitt finished the afternoon with 39 saves. McNicholas concluded the weekend with 26 saves.
The Cardinals return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 6, when they host Saint Michael's at 4 p.m.
