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Final night time’s playoff loss wasn’t simply the top of the season, it was the top of an period, too.

It was Brockport’s last recreation as a member of the SUNYAC.

It’s bittersweet, for certain.

I’ll miss it. As a fan who’s been watching the crew because the 1993-1994 season, the SUNY rivalry is all I’ve ever identified.

For me, that’s 30 years of SUNYAC groups that all of us knew inside and outside, intense rivalries that all of us understood, and foes who we without delay revered but noticed as maddening thorns in our facet – whether or not it was a decided coach like Plattsburgh’s Bob Emery or a slick defenseman just like the Cardinals’ Nick Rolls or a big-time aim scorer like Oswego’s Mike Lukajic or an impenetrable goalie like Mike DeLaVergne of Buffalo State.

So many nice gamers.

So many nice video games.

So many nice reminiscences.

Reminiscences are all that SUNYAC will now be to followers like me.

Reminiscences are all that SUNYAC might be to the boys who laced up and can lace up their skates for Brockport.

Consider them and issues they skilled, reminiscent of: Lastly ridding the Golden Eagles of the long-held Plattsburgh curse after which having a bunch of ultra-competitive video games with the Cardinals, together with one of many longest video games in NCAA historical past….making the playoffs in 2008-2009, internet hosting that assertion recreation in opposition to Potsdam, after which routinely making the playoffs after that…the lengthy street journeys to the North Nation throughout which the coaches and the fellows may bond.

However, for all that we are going to miss about SUNYAC, the long run is thrilling.

There’s a brand new convention for gamers and followers subsequent season — the United School Hockey Convention.

New rivalries might be made as Brockport and Geneseo will compete for convention glory with Chatham, Manhattanville, Nazareth, Neumann, Utica, and Wilkes.

It will likely be fascinating to see new grudges develop, to witness new skills twice a 12 months and within the playoffs, and to surprise what new moments will come.

I’m unhappy about dropping a beloved custom, however joyful about gaining a unique future.

Thanks, SUNYAC, for what was for this fan three a long time of actually superior hockey.

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