Conference Roundup 2/18/13: Bowdoin vs. Trinity (from Brooks School)

Bowdoin Polar Bears (19-3-2; 13-3-2)     5       
Trinity Bantams (14-6-3; 11-4-3)          10    

It was over when...: Trinity scored three goals in the first five minutes of the third period to open up a 9-3 lead in the Nemo postponed game hosted at the Brooks School in North Andover, MA.  The game was as close as 3-2 as late as 3:49 into the second period, before the Trinity scoring barrage ensued.  The Bantams went a scorching 4/5 on the power play in the game, while Bowdoin went 2/7. 

Ben Coulthard (G, Jr.) gave up 5 goals for only the second time (the first was against Nichols) this season, but made 49 saves as Bowdoin fired 54 shots, eclipsing 50 shots for the second time in three games. Coulthard improves to (11-5-3) on the season.

Max Fenkell (G, So.) made the start in net for the Polar Bears, giving up 5 goals for the first time in his collegiate career on 27 shots, before being replaced by Steve Messina (G, Jr.) in the second period. Messina gave up 4 goals on 14 shots and takes the loss to fall to (11-3-1).  Senior Connor Shannon (G, Sr.) entered the game in the third period for his first minutes of the season and gave up a goal on six shots. 



15 different Trinity players earned points, including 12 points from their senior front line: Chris Menard (F, Sr.) (2-3-5), Jordan So (F, Sr.) (3-1-4) and Jeff Menard (0-3-3). Zachary Lombardi (F, Sr.) had a goal and the Bantams are now (10-1-1) in games in which he earns a point. Senior Polar Bear Alexander Milley (D, Sr.) got an assist, his first point of the year and only the fourth of his collegiate career.

With the win, Trinity clinches the third seed in the NESCAC playoffs and will play at home on Saturday against sixth seed and travel partner Wesleyan. It is the third time in two weeks the teams will face off, having just split a home and home this past weekend.

Bowdoin, who played the game knowing they were the first overall seed regardless of the outcome, will play eighth seed Hamilton at home on Saturday. The Polar Bears defeated the Continentals in both previous meetings this season. While it is hard to take much away from a game in which Bowdoin used all three goalies and had nothing to play for (at least in terms of NESCAC standings), 10 goals are still 10 goals. Bowdoin may be an offensive powerhouse, but they certainly have some weaknesses on the defensive end. With all five of their non wins this season coming in conference play ( 3 losses, 2 ties), Bowdoin is by no means a lock for the NESCAC crown.

Player of the game: Chris Menard (F, Sr.) In his last regular season game as a Bantam, Menard had his greatets offensive output as a collegian, collecting two goals and three assists (2-3-5). For a bit of nostalgia, he did it on the ice of the Brooks School, the traditional rival of his high school alma mater, Governor's Academy.

Box Score: Bowdoin 5/Trinity 10                            Bowdoin Recap      Trinity Recap