PITTSBURGH—Former Buffalo State men’s hockey player Chris Ciamaga made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut as a referee tonight in Pittsburgh when the Penguins hosted the New Jersey Devils.

Ciamaga worked alongside 19-year NHL veteran Michael McGeough as Pittsburgh defeated New Jersey, 7-1. A full-time referee in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the past two seasons, Ciamaga had worked NHL preseason games, but got his first call-up for a regular-season game tonight.

Ciamaga was a member of Buffalo State’s men’s hockey team for three seasons from 1996-99, serving as a team captain for two years. In 70 games with the Bengals, he tallied nine goals and 41 assists. Ciamaga completed his bachelor’s degree in health and wellness from Buffalo State in 2000.