An estimated 600 spectators were in attendance for the game as the Bobcats dominated from start to finish, scoring five goals in the second period and two in the third.

After a scoreless first period, Paul Smith’s Zach Thoren of Raleigh, North Carolina gave his team a 1-0 advantage less than two minutes into the middle period on a direct pass from Niko Reimann of Spring Lake Park, Minnesota. A few minutes later, Reimann found Julien Shafer of Queensbury in the low slot to extend the Bobcats lead to two.

Paul Smith’s added its third goal of the night when Gabe Clark of Ogdensburg collected a direct passs from PSC goaltender Kevin Zamazal of Opava, Czech Republic and skated the entire length of the ice before sniping a shot over the JCC goalie’s glove. The goal was Clark’s first collegiate score.

“From not playing very much at the beginning of the season to now playing regular shifts, that goal meant a lot,” Clark said. “The fan support throughout the game just enhanced everything and was much needed for such an important game.”

With the win the Bobcats gained home-ice advantage through the first two rounds of the Upstate New York Collegiate Hockey League playoffs.

Attila Quesnel of Montreal, Quebec and Ryen Janus of Frederick, Maryland each scored one goal to close out the second period with a 5-0 lead. Reimann picked up three assists in the middle frame.

“It felt good,” Reimann said. “The guys had good chemistry and we were rolling. The defense did their thing and the puck was going our way.”

In the third period, the Cannoneers scored twice, but Reimann put the game out of reach with a goal at 7:14 left in the final period.

Sophomore captain Colin Palmer of Clifton Park picked up his third assist of the game on the play as he delivered a saucer pass to Reimann, who was streaking down the left side of the neutral zone. Reimann made a quick move to the backhand, then pulled the puck to the forehand around the goalie to make it 6-2. Reimann was quick to point out the work his linemates did to create the scoring opportunity.

“Julien made a good play forcing their defense to chip the puck back in our zone and Colin was able to track it down and get it to me,” Reimann said. “To score that goal on a night like that with the carnival atmosphere felt really good.”

Janus burried his second of the night to finish off the Cannoneers at 7-2. Clark, Thoren, Owen Kime of Waterloo and Kyle Davis of Canandaigua picked up assists in the winning effort.

The Bobcats will rematch the Cannoneers on Friday, Feb. 23 at 7:45 p.m. at the Saranac Lake Civic Center in the first round of the UNYCHL playoffs. If PSC wins, it will host Colgate on Feb. 24 at 8 p.m., also at the Saranac Lake Civic Center.