GENESEO, N.Y. - SUNY Geneseo first-year forward Stephen Collins scored the game-winning goal 1:35 into overtime to lead the No. 10 Knights to a 3-2 victory over visiting Buffalo State in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) men's ice hockey, Friday.

Collins received a pass at center ice on a break-away and took a shot from the left circle that deflected off a Bengals' defenseman and past Buffalo State goalie Kevin Carr on the far-post for the deciding goal to complete a comeback that started with the Knights trailing 2-0 with under 11 minutes to play in the third period.

"It wasn't a pretty 60-plus minutes of hockey but we were able to find a way to win," said head coach Chris Schultz. "We stuck to our game pland in the third period and it paid dividends."

Following a scoreless first period, Buffalo State got on the board in the tenth minute of the second period with a tally from senior forward Mac Balson. The Bengals, which were out-shot in the period by a 20-7 margin, later built a two-goal advantage on a score by Taylor Pryce in the 19th minute. 

The Knights finally got it going 9:05 into the final period as sophomore forward David Ripple tallied a power-play goal off assists from senior forward Zachary Vit and junior defenseman Jack Caradonna.

Then, with 1:39 remaining in regulation, junior forward Justin Scharfe converted on another power-play opportunity with a shot in front of the crease off a pass from junior forward Tyler Brickler to tie the game, 2-2, and set up Collins' overtime heroics.

Sophomore goaltender Nick Horrigan stopped 27 shots, including 14 in the first period, to earn his fifth-straight win and bump his record to 10-1 on the year. 

Geneseo is already assured of finishing no lower than second place in the final SUNYAC standings as well as a with a bye into the semifinals of the post-season tournament. A win in tomorow night's regular-season finale against Fredonia at 7:00 pm. would not only clinch the conference regular season title and the top seed, but also home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.