NESCAC Semifinal Rapid Reaction: Amherst 3 Williams 1

Kurlandski beats Dougherty for the 2-1 lead. 

Amherst 3 
Williams 1 
FINAL Box Score 

Amherst's Andrew Kurlandski scored two third period power play goals to break a 1-1 deadlock after two periods and earn the first of two berths into the NESCAC finals on Sunday. After a relatively clean two periods with four penalties combined the final frame featured eight penalties between the two teams, including a game misconduct on each of these two bitter rivals.

The teams traded goals in the first on tallies by the Ephs George Hunkele (F, '17) and the Lord Jeffs Connor Brown (F, '16) less than two minutes apart (6:43 and 8:11, respectively). The second period picked up the pace with scoring opportunities for both teams, but no actual tallies. By the end of the second, the scoreboard read 1-1 and the shots were even at 28.

The third was dominated by penalties, injuries and more penalties. Sam Gray (F, '17) got the ball rolling with a hit to head along the center ice boards that left Amherst's Andrew Fenwick (F, '15) sprawled out on the ice as Lord Jeffs coach Jack Arena screamed "That's intent to injure!" to the refs. Zander Mascuci (D, '16) went to the box for a 5-3 for Amherst. Jake Turrin (D, '15) and Aaron Deutsch (D, '15) worked the blue line until the right moment when Turrin found Brown down low to the right of Dougherty; Brown found Andrew Kurlkandski (F, '14) out in front for the stuff home and the Jeffs lead at 6:36.

Six penaltties later, including a Hitting to the Head game misconduct for Elliot Bostrom (D, '14) of Amherst, the Jeffs found themselves on a 4-3. Deutsch found Kurlandksi for a one timer from the left circle to beat Dougherty (what appeared to be five hole) at 16:55 for the commanding 3-1 lead.

The Ephds had a power play for the final two minutes of regulation but were unable to capatilize. They pulled Dougherty and had a few opportunities, including a loose puck on the goal line in the final 10 seconds, but to no avail as the buzzer sounded with the score still 3-1.

Final shots on goal were 44-38 in favor of Amherst. Recent 2nd Team All-NESCAC selection Dave Cunningham (G, '16) was tremendous in net to help earn the Lord Jeffs' first trip to the finals in two years. Next up for Amherst is the winner of the Trinity/Bowdoin semi. The Jeffs are the only team to sweep the first seeded Bantams this year, while they split the season series with the Polar Bears.