FAIRPORT, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher University men's ice hockey team opened the new year with a 4-3 victory over Arcadia University. The Cardinals now hold an 8-5-0 overall record while the Knights dropped to 5-5-1.

How it Happened

The Cardinals opened the game strong as Jonathan Sonedecker scored on the power play off an assist from Brendan Merriman midway through the first period. Sam Ciappa extended the lead less than a minute into the second period with an unassisted, short-handed goal. Six minutes later, James Evans scored off a feed from Kenneth Brodie to give the Cardinals a three-goal advantage.

The Knights got on the board with less than five minutes remaining in the second period when Nathaniel McFarlane beat Cardinals goaltender Dylan Grover. Michael Peluso added the Cardinals' fourth and final goal more than five minutes into the third period. 

Conor Gethings scored for the Knights with under two minutes remaining in regulation, and Bruce Battaglia added a goal with three seconds left, but it wasn't enough as the Cardinals held on for the win.

Game Notes

• Sonedecker scored Fisher's first goal of 2026.

• Ciappa tallied a goal, making him the team's leading scorer with eight goals this season.

• Defenseman Carter Cwiklinski had six blocked shots, a season-high.

• Grover made 23 saves in net. 

Up Next

The Cardinals will face Arcadia University for game two at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Rochester Ice Center.