NESCAC Roundup: 2/1/13

Amherst/Bowdoin recap by Benet Pols

Amherst Lord Jeffs (12-5-2; 8-4-1)                     6            
Bowdoin Polar Bears (16-2-1; 10-2-1)                   3

It was over when...: Amherst scored its 5th goal just 15 seconds into the third period. The Polar Bears had played a good second period scoring once, peppering Amherst's goaltender, and keeping the Lord Jeffs off the board after a first period that left the Polar Bears reeling and Amherst with a 4-1 lead.

Amherst first three goals came off nice passes in the offensive end, but each of them had been triggered by sloppy Bowdoin play between the blue lines. Mike Moher (F, Sr.) notched Amherst's first goal at just 3:30 of the first. With Bowdoin's Nick Wetzel (D/F, Jr.) in the box Andrew Kurlandski  (F, Jr.) took a nice pass from the corner and beat Steve Messina (G, Jr.) just three minutes later. The Polar Bears got one back on a power play at 10:51 with Daniel Weinger ( F, Sr.) getting credit for redirecting Ollie Koo (D/F, Jr.) 's shot from the point.

While Bowdoin controlled play for the rest of the first, Amherst  managed two more goals. With 2:40 to go on the period Conor Brown (F, Fr.) went top-shelf on a 2 on 1 break, with an assist to Jamie Hawkrigg (D, Sr.). With 55 seconds to go Messina left a rebound in front. More than a few Bowdoin players had the chance to clear it, but Amherst's Nick Brunette  (F, Sr.) put in what proved to be the game winner.

That was enough for Bowdoin's Coach Meagher. Max Fenkell (G, Fr.)  started the second period between the Bowdoin pipes. The Polar Bears carried the play during the second. Tim Coffey will be seeing a big, gaping net in his sleep for days: he was all alone at the edge of the crease with the puck on his stick, the crowd rose but slumped back down as Amherst's Nathan Corey (G, Sr.)  came through again.

Bowdoin got a goal back when Chris Fenwick (F, Fr.)  netted a goal off an ugly scrum in front. Even the Bowdoin faithful conceded a whistle might have been heard before the lamp was lit.  But, after a conference, the referees confirmed the goal. Tim Coffey (F, So.) picked up the assist.

It was a good night for the Fenwick family from New Brunswick, with Chris scoring a goal for Bowdoin while brother 
Just 15 seconds into the third period Amherst effectively ended it. After controlling the opening face-off , Bowdoin's Weinger skated directly toward the penalty box where he met Amherst's Mike Moher just exiting the box after serving the final 5 seconds of a penalty he'd picked up in the second period; two passes and Amherst's Conor Brown was celebrating his second goal of the night. Though Bowdoin continued to get its shots there was an air of desperation. The Polar Bears cut the deficit to two with 2:50 to go on a Kyle Lockwood (D/F, Jr.)  put-back, but a penalty to Rob Toczlowski (F, Sr.)  with 2:25 to go iced it for the Jeffs. An empty net goal followed.

It was a good night for the Fenwick family from New Brunswick, with Chris scoring a goal for Bowdoin while brother Andrew, playing for the Lord Jeffs, heads up to Colby tomorrow a winner.After the handshakes the Fenwick family got a picture of their boys arm-in-arm at center ice.

Player of the game: Nathan Corey  (G, Sr.) for his 37 saves. He came up big throughout the later half of the first and during the whole second period when he saved 16.

Box Score: Amherst 6/Bowdoin 3



Trinity Bantams  (11-4-3; 8-2-3)                          3 
Williams Ephs (12-5-2; 9-3-1)                                1

It was over when...: Chris Menard (F, Sr.) sniped a wrist shot off  passes from brother Jeff Menard (F, Sr.) and  Jordan So (F, Sr.)  to put the Banatms up 3-1 with 5: 36 remaining in the third.  After a scoreless first, Trinity took a 2-0 lead off of goals from Samuel Kane (F, So.)  and Charlie Mullan (F, Jr.).  The Ephs leading scorer Peter Mistretta (F, So.) brought the Ephs within 2-1 with a goal two minutes into the third. 

In the New England Hockey Journal game of the week, the shots were even 36-36. With the win Trinity moves into a tie with Williams for second, but owns the tiebreaker because of their head to head record; before this win, Trinity and Williams skated to a 1-1 tie in Hartford back on January 4th. 

Player of the game: Benjamin Coulthard (G, Jr.) for his 35 save night to hold Williams to just one goal.

Box Score: Trinity 3/Williams 1 


Wesleyan Cardinals (9-8-2; 5-6-2)                        3                              
Middlebury Panthers (9-8-2; 8-3-2)                    6

It was over when...: Middlebury scored three straight unanswered goals to break a 3-3 tie in the third. Wesleyan took a 1-0 lead in the first, only for the Panthers to explode for three to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.  The Cardinals pecked back to a 3-3 tie with goals in the second and third. Shots in favor of Middlebury 37-17. Dan Fullam (G, So.) gets the win and moves to 3-1-0 on the year. 

Player of the game: Derek Pimentel (F, So.) for his four point outing (1-3-4). 

Box Score: Wesleyan 3/Middlebury 6 


Hamilton Continentals 5-11-3; 3-8-2)                    1             
Colby Mules (4-13-2; 2-10-1)                              5

It was over when...: The Mules put in three third period goals, including an empty netter, to break open a 2-1 game. Sam Parker (G, So.) got the start for Colby and moves to 3-3-0 on the season. Parker has been in net for both of the Mules NESCAC wins this season. Shots in favor of Colby 34-22.

Player of the game: Cory McGrath (F, Sr.) had two points (1-1-2) including what proved to be the game winner in the second. 

Box Score: Hamilton 1/Colby 5



Tufts Jumbos (6-11-2; 1-10-2)                              2 
Conn. College Camels (6-10-3; 2-8-3)              5

It was over when...: The Camels put in a short handed and power play goal in the third to put away what was a 3-2 game after two. Tom Conlin (G, Fr.) makes 36 saves and moves to 4-3-0 on the season.  Shots in favor of Tufts 38-36.

Player of the game: Tim DiPretoro (F, So.) for his two goal night (2-0-2). 

Box Score: Tufts 2/Conn College 5