In the team’s first game, every single Bobcat skater recorded a point, but it was Skidmore who got on the board first. Skidmore then held the lead for the remainder of the first period until Paul Smith’s stormed back in the middle frame, netting four goals, which gave the team the lead for good.

Eli Gordon, of Ithaca, got things rolling for Paul Smith’s in the second period when he roofed the Skidmore goalie to make it 1-1. After relinquishing the lead, the Bobcats evened things up on a goal from Mike Hansen of New Hartford. Defenseman Dylan Jannarone of Brick, New Jersey recorded an assist on the play.

The Bobcats once again went down a goal but finished the middle frame on top after Gordon scored his second of the game, followed by a goal from freshman forward Colin Palmer of Clifton Park to make the score 4-3.

In the third period, Paul Smith’s scored five goals to close out the contest. Palmer added two more to earn a hat trick, while Hansen, Ryen Janus of Frederick, Maryland and Derek Grant of Potsdam closed out the scoring for the Bobcats. Grant’s goal was the first of his career.

Nate Schocke of Crystal Lake, Illinois and Zach Thoren of Raleigh, North Carolina recorded two assists each. Senior goaltender Jack Ruckman recorded a win in his final start for Paul Smith’s College, finishing with 23 saves.

“As sad as it was to play my last college hockey game, I couldn’t be more happy with the friends and relationships I have made from the program,” Ruckman said in a statement.

Ruckman, of Westfield, New Jersey, will be graduating from the Culinary Arts program an entire year early with a 3.91 GPA.

In the second game, Palmer recorded another hat trick while picking up an assist. Linemates Gordon (two goals, one assist) and Yearwood (three assists) rounded out the dominant effort for the Bobcats’ first line.

Janus and Hansen added a goal and assist each while Jannarone and Joe Beaudoin each had one assist. Thoren and Kyle Davis each finished with two assists, while freshman goaltender Kevin Zamazal of Opava, Czechia had a beautiful three-quarter ice pass to Gordon to gain a primary assist of his own. Zamazal stopped all 19 shots and earned his first shutout for the Bobcats.

Graduating senior Colin Miller of Averill Park ended his Paul Smith’s hockey career on a high note, burying an empty-net goal from the far blueline in the last few minutes of the game.

“Every shift is your last shift, that’s the way hockey is played,” Miller said. “My last game felt bittersweet, but also enjoyable. I’m glad to have played this last game with the best group of guys.”

The Bobcats finished their season with a 7-14 record, which is a substantially better record than last’s season 1-12-1 finish.

“This season was a huge improvement. We had a great group of guys come in this year to help get to where we want to be,” assistant captain Jannarone said. “We are going to be a team that will surprise a lot of people in the upcoming years — next year starts now. Really proud to end the season with two great wins and for everyone to have at least a point this weekend.”

They’ll look to continue on the upward trajectory next season. The team already has six committed athletes for next year.