CANTON — Augie DiMarzo had waited nearly two years for Sunday night.
Finally, DiMarzo was able to exchange his St. Lawrence University practice jersey for the Saints' home hockey sweater. The Union transfer spent last season practicing with the squad, but he watched home games in the wooden bleachers at Appleton Arena.
DiMarzo's first official game as an SLU player got a little sweeter when he buried a power-play goal in the Saints' 2-2 tie with the University of Guelph in an exhibition matchup at Appleton.
"It was pretty memorable," said DiMarzo, a junior. "I haven't been able to sleep much these past few nights."
On opening night for St. Lawrence, a number of freshmen made their collegiate debuts. Twelve players — including 10 regulars — didn't dress for the final tune-up before the Saints begin the 2008-09 regular season at No. 2 Michigan on Friday.
SLU carried a 2-1 lead through the third period until a late turnover led to a three-on-zero rush for the Gryphons from Ontario. Guelph's Dave Volpe deposited the game-tying goal on helpless goalie Alex Petizian with 35 seconds left in regulation.
"You think you've got a win right there, and it slips through your fingers," St. Lawrence coach Joe Marsh said. "But that's the way it goes sometimes."
More importantly, Marsh had a chance to see his first-year players against competition. The youngsters were sharp in the first period, but their inexperience was exposed with subtle miscues in the last two periods. Marsh will have four days to decide what freshmen will make the weekend trip to Yost Arena in Michigan.
"I think the big thing is that we're conscious that these guys need playing time, and we can't evaluate them unless they get some time," Marsh said.
Senior defenseman Dan Coughlin was just thrilled to play numerous shifts and guide the underclassmen onto the ice for their opening act. Coughlin, who battled shoulder injuries last year, was also productive. He netted the Saints' first goal midway through the opening period. He also assisted on DiMarzo's man-up tally with a centering pass off a rebound.
"It felt unbelievable," Coughlin said. "We have great morale, and there are positive attitudes everywhere."
Guelph, who was playing its fifth game of the season, answered quickly on St. Lawrence freshman goaltender Robby Moss in the second period. Patrick Campbell buried a power-play goal just over a minute into the frame. Moss tightened up his play, however, and finished with eight saves.
The fact that the Saints surrendered a late goal, went 1-for-12 on the power play, or finished with a tie didn't dampen their spirits in the locker room. They want the Wolverines, who appeared in the NCAA Frozen Four last season.
"It's all about putting what we've worked on to the test," Coughlin said. "Everybody's so excited to get started."
nNOTES:Junior goalieKain Tisistarted for SLU and recorded two saves. Petizian finished with eight. ... Saints freshmen forwardsJacob DrewiskeandJake Klanchereach assisted on Coughlin's goal. ... Volpe added an assist for the Gryphons. ... St. Lawrence freshman forwardMax Mobleysuffered a sprained shoulder earlier in the preseason, but played several shifts and showed no sign of discomfort Sunday. ... It was also the debut of ECAC Hockey's two-referee system in a men's hockey game. The four-person crew called 23 penalties.