NESCAC Roundup: 1/26/13

Trinity Bantams (10-4-3; 7-2-3)                      7
Amherst Lord Jeffs (11-5-2; 7-4-1)                    4

It was over when...: The Bantams scored two empty net goals (including one on an assist from goalie Benjamin Coulthard) to go up 7-4.  Trinity opened up the 3-2 lead they took into third with goals by  Joe Horak (F, Fr.) and John Hawkrigg (F, Fr.)  to make it 5-2.  In only his second NESCAC start, Dave Cunningham (G, Fr.) was replaced by Nathan Corey (G, Sr.) after the fifth goal. The Jeffs made it interesting with about three minutes to play on two quick goals by Brian Safstrom (F, Jr.)  and Andrew Kurlandski (F, Jr.). Kurlandski had a two point night (1-1-2) for a bit of his redemption after his game misconduct on Friday.

Following his two goal night against Wesleyan, Johhny van Siclen  (F, Sr.) led off the scoring in the first. After Conor Coveney (F, So.) brought the Bantams even in the last two minutes of the first, Zach Lombardi (F, Sr.) scored on assist from Will Gray (F, Jr.) in the first minute of the second to put the Bantams up 2-1. Trinity is now 7-0-1 in games that Lomardi gets a point.

In the back and forth second, Kurlandski set up Safstrom for the Amherst Equalizer. Gray picked off an Amherst pass and  found the net 13:38 into the period to put the Bantams back on top 3-2. Van Siclen almost had his second goal of the night late in the second, but Coulthard made a nice glove save to keep the Bantams on top. The physicality of the second period was "pretty severe" according to Jeffs' announcer Hugh Campbell.

So a 7-4 game between the two best scoring defenses in the NESCAC, because the hockey gods have a sense of humor. Shots in favor of Amherst 31-26. With the win the Bantams sweep the season series with Amherst and take over sole possession of third place from the Jeffs. With Middlebury's win, Amherst falls to fifth.

Player of the game: Will Gray (F, Jr.) This was very much a team win, but Gray gets the statistical nod for being the only Bantam with two points (1-1-2).

Box Score: Trinity 7/Amherst 4 



Wesleyan Cardinals (9-7-2; 5-5-2)                 11                     
Hamilton Continentals (5-10-3; 3-7-2)               3

It was over when...: Jay Matthews (F, Fr.) scored early in the second to make it a 4-2 game and the Cardinals never looked back. After a 3-1 first, Evan Haney (F, Jr.)  brought the game within 3-2, but it would never be close again. After the fifth goal on player to watch Joe Quattrocchi (G, Jr.) backup net-minder Cam Gibbar  (G, Sr.) entered the game in the second period.

Some fun(though not if you are a Continental) facts about the blowout: It was the first time since 1987 that Wesleyan scored double digit goals in a NESCAC game. Player to watch Keith Buehler (F, Jr.) had four points, (3-1-4), including his third hat trick of the season. Adam Kaiser (F, Sr.) led the team with five points (2-3-5), the first time he had more than two points in a game in his Cardinal career. Sixteen different Cardinals had points, including six with more than one. Nolan Daley (G, Fr.) got the start and the frosh netminder is now 4-1-1 on the season.

Wesleyan takes a four point lead on Hamilton for sixth in the NESCAC and is three points behind Amherst for fifth.

Player of the game:  Adam Kaiser (F, Sr.) for his career high five point game. Sure Buehler had a hat trick, but Kaiser had more points and Buehler can't always hog the POG glory.

Box Score: Wesleyan 11/Hamilton 3



Williams Ephs (11-4-2; 9-2-1)                         5 
Conn. College Camels (5-10-3; 1-8-3)              0

It was over when...:   John Wickman (F, Sr.) scored a minute in and the Ephs added two goals in each of the second and third periods. Sean Dougherty (G, So.) stopped 30 shots for his second shutout of the season. Marcus Calvanico (G, Jr.) replaced Mike Petchonka  (G, Jr.) in the third when the score was 5-0. Shots in Favor of Williams 31-30.

After sweeping the weekend, Williams pulls to within two points of idle Bowdoin for first in the NESCAC. Box                      

Player of the game: Eric Rubino (F, Sr.) for his three point afternoon (2-1-3), only the second three point game of the senior Ephs' career.

Box Score:Williams 5/Conn College 




Middlebury Panthers (8-8-2; 7-3-2)                5      
Tufts Jumbos  (5-10-2; 1-9-2)                           4

It was over when...: Player to watch Louis Belisle (F, Jr.) put the Panthers up 5-2 in the third. Pair of goals by Dylan Plimmer (F, Sr.) in the third to pull Tufts within one and  make the score appear closer than it was. 

Last night's player of the game for the Panthers  Robbie Donahoe (F, Jr.) had three assists as did Andrew White (F, So.)  for the Jumbos. Jumbos player to watch Stewart Bell (F, Fr.) extended his goal streak to three games with a two goal night (2-1-3). 

Dan Fullam (G, So.) in the net for Middlebury and Brian Phillips (G, Jr) for the Jumbos. Shots in favor of the Panthers 39-31. With the win and Amherst loss, Middlebury moves into fourth place. Tufts remains in ninth.  

Player of the game: Louis Belisle (F, Jr.) for his two points (1-1-2), including what turned out to be the game winner.

Box Score: Middlebury 5/Tufts 4