CANTON, N.Y. – The Wilkes University men's ice hockey team made its program debut Friday night falling 6-4 to host SUNY Canton.
 
Wilkes jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after Donald Flynn (Randolph, NJ/) made history scoring the Colonels first goal off assists from Taylor Bommarito (Sterling Heights, MI/) and Tyson Araujo (Oak Bluffs, MA/) 3:41 into the first period. Seven minutes later Araujo put one past the SUNY Canton goalie off helpers from Flynn and Paul Cimilluca (Colonia, NJ/) to give Wilkes a 2-0 advantage midway through the first frame.
 
Canton answered back scoring two straight goals at the 14:08 and 19:30 mark, both on power plays, to tie the game at 2-2 after one period of play.
 
The Kangaroos kept their offensive surge going to start the second period scoring two more goals to take their first lead at 4-2 with under three minutes left in the stanza. Chris Dalfarra (Warrington, PA/) kept Wilkes close scoring off an assist from Devon Schell (Scarsdale, NY/) with :46 left in the second period to cut the Canton lead to 4-3 after two.
 
Two more goals from Canton in the third put the hosts ahead for good as Jay Gallagher (Reading, MA/) added a late man-up goal off assists from Araujo and Tyler Barrow (Massapequa, NY/) to end the Wilkes scoring on the night.
 
Wilkes held a 31-24 shot advantage in the game while winning 25-of-74 faceoffs.
 
Brandon Gordon (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/) finished with 18 saves in net playing all 60 minutes.
 
Both teams will meet again Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.