by Benet Pols
Bowdoin Polar Bears (0-1-1) 2
Williams Ephs (1-0-1) 5
First period: Bowdoin played a sloppy first period, especially in their own end. Williams kept Bowdoin’s starting goaltender senior Steve Messina (G, '14) busy while at the other end second-team All NESCAC goalie Sean Dougherty (G, '15) was called on to make a couple of good saves, but was not tested frequently. Williams opened the scoring about 5 minutes in when a miscue by Bowdoin’s freshman defenseman Brendan Conroy (D, '17) resulted in a turnover behind the net. Williams’ Nick Anderson (F, '14) picked up the puck and found James McNamara (D, '17) alone in front for his first collegiate goal. James brother, Brian McNamara (D, '15), may be a top defender for the Ephs, but his little brother beat him to scoring a collegiate goal.
Craig Kitto (F, '15) put the Ephs up 2-0 with helpers from Zander Masucci (D, '16) and Nick Anderson (F, '14).
The first ended on a high note for the Polar Bears as Harry Matheson (F, '14) converted a short-handed chance putting the puck over Dougherty. Fellow senior Colin Downey (F/D, '14) collected the assist.
Second Period: As the second period began Williams student announcer Jake Abraham wondered whether Coach Meagher had given it to Bowdoin between periods for their sloppy first period play. If Coach Meagher schooled the Ploar Bears the lesson didn’t take. With 10:51 to go the Ephs’ Alex Debaere (F, '15) caught a break when Bowdoin left the right defensive spot open. He streaked down the left side and beat Messina to put Williams up 3-1. Moments later the Polar Bears’ Alec Root (D, '15) picked up a two minute minor. Williams' announcer Abraham, was duly impressed by the Bowdoin penalty kill. Matheson had another great chance for a shorthanded goal and the penalty kill seemed to invigorate Bowdoin as they upped their game for the rest of the period.
Bowdoin’s Joseph Lace (D, '17), a freshman, picked up his first collegiate goal on a weird shot from the right point that was redirected twice before finding the back of the net; the last bounce came off a William’s defender’s skate. While the shot wasn’t pretty, the play grew from an excellent rush in transition by Bowdoin’s John McGinnis (F, '15). Bowdoin had several quality opportunities before Lace found the net.
The second period ended 3-2 Williams with the Ephs holding a 26-18 edge in shots.
Third Period: The third period was all Williams. The Ephs carried the play on the ice and on the scoreboard adding two goals to push their lead to 5-2. A power play goal by Greg Johnson (D, '16) set the tone. The Polar Bears went a man down with 15:35 to go. Unlike prior penalty kills, this time Bowdoin could get nothing going; before Johnson found the net the Ephs had had several chances. Messina was scrambling and the Polar Bears never cleared the zone.
The scoring was finished off with 13:12 remaining when George Hunkele (F, '17), the fifth different Williams player to score, iced the game. Bowdoin had been pressing hard to close the 4-2 deficit and over-committed at the blue line; Williams transition made the Polar Bears pay. Even still, Williams smelled blood and continued to press over the next five minutes like they were down a goal rather than up three. Once the clock ran down in the single digits the pace slackened as both teams ground toward the buzzer.
Player of the game: Jake Abraham (Williams student announcer) With five different goal scorers choosing a player of the game is difficult. From across New England I’m going with Abraham, who provided some in-depth analytical color commentary and showed knowledge of both rosters, the nuances of the game, the rivalries, and NESCAC itself. Meanwhile the professional he was paired with in a new arrangement with NSNsports, Jack Healy, read from the roster in a lovely gravely baritone.
Box Score: Bowdoin 2/Williams 5 Williams Recap
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