Live Scoreboard 2/8/14 afternoon games

Colby      3
Hamilton 2
FINAL OT

1st Period: After junior Zach Arnold made the last four starts (0-2-2), freshman Charlie Fennell in net for Hamilton. Colby's workhorse Sam Parker in net for the Mules after one of his weakest collegiate performances last night, giving up six goals to Amherst.

After going 0-6 on the power play yesterday, Hamilton strikes first on the man advantage thanks to a Michael Van Siclen boarding call. Pat Curtis beats Parker at the 6:13 mark with an assist from Robbie Murden, who is back after his mysterious one game absence last night against Bowdoin. The Conts would have another power play in the period and Colby had two of their own, but were not able to generate any goals. Shots in favor of Hamilton 12-8 at the end of 1.


2nd Period: The second period has been anathema for Hamilton recently with opponents outscoring the Conts 9-1 in the middle frame the last three games entering today. The Mules capitalize on Hamilton's seocnd period woes to take a 2-1 lead on goals from Nick Lanza and Geoff Sullivan. The Conts' Curtis strikes back, however, for his second goal of the game and the period ends tied at 2. Scaring moment for Hamilton, as Marko Brelih goes down with what appears to be a leg injury and has to go back to the locker room early. After a bench minor at the end of the period, Colby has a 5-3 for 1:49 to start the third.

3rd Period: A penalty riddled third period, but no goals. Hamilton unofficially ends regulation up 33-27 in shots. Conts 1-5 on the power play, Colby 0-6. With the injury to d-man Brelih, coach Rob Haberbusch shakes up the forwards lineup to make coverage on the blueline.

OT: Colby scores 1:18 into the overtime period to win. The live stats say Alex Walsh, but it looks like it is Lanza sliding the puck across to Ben Chwick. We'll have to wait for the box score.

The win moves Colby into a tie with arch-nemesis Bowdoin for the pivotal fourth spot in the NESCAC (the last home playoff game spot for the opening round of the 'Cac playoffs). The Polar Bears and Mules will have to wait and see how Middlebury, who is two points behind the Pine Tree State duo, does in their two games against Trinity and Wesleyan, tonight/tomorrow.

For Hamilton, they remain one point ahead of Wesleyan for the eighth and final playoff spot, though it is effectively a two point lead since the Conts won the season series. The Cardinals have Williams and Middlebury this weekend. A win in either game or two ties would leave Hamilton on the outside looking in heading into the final two weeks.

Bowdoin  3
Amherst  5
FINAL

1st Period: Dave Cunningham in net for Amherst per the usual and Max Fenkell in net for Bowdoin, per the usual two goalie rotation. Amherst, who scored a season high six goals last night, strikes first at the 3:54 mark when the lone freshman among Lord Jeffs forwards, Chris Roll, beats Fenkell from a tought angle. Roll didn't have a goal in his first 56 collegiate periods, but now has two in two straight periods after scoring his first collegiate goal in the third last night against Colby.

Harry Matheson gets Bowdoin aon the board at the 7:43 mark before Amherst goals by two of the three Lord Jeffs trio of goals leaders entering the game, Connor Brown and Andrew Kurlandski , put the Jeffs up 3-1. Kyle Lockwood cuts it to 3-2 in the final two minutes. of the period.

2nd Period: Concannon semifinalist Colin Downey ties the game early in the 2nd on a 5-3 for the Polar Bears. Bowdoin ends the period 1-5 on the man-advantage to Amherst's 0-2. The Polar Bears also enter the third period on the power play for 1:48 and own a commanding 22-11 shots advantage (unofficially) over the Jeffs.

3rd Period: Bowdoin had their chances, including a five minute major roughing penalty to Brian Safstrom, but the Polar Bears are unable to capitalize.  Mike Rowbotham pots an empty netter to assure that Amherst will either be in first or second at the end of the weekend. Amherst/Williams on the final day of the regular season might not just be a rivalry game, but it might decide the number one seed in the NESCAC.