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| Ryan Cole and Trinity traveled out West for an exhibition against the US National U18 team and a rematch of the 2015 NCAA Semis against Adrian. |
Happy New Year, NESCAC hockey fans. The merciful turn of the calendar after a generally despised year brought a week of non-conference play in the NESCAC, including some tournaments and Trinity's trip out West. Let's quickly go through each team alphabetically to see how they fared against non-Cac opponents.
Amherst (5-3-1)
The Purple and White only had one game in this period against New England College on January 2nd. The Pilgrims had been on a five game winning streak headed into their matchup with Amherst following a loss to Hamilton in November. Junior Thomas Lindstrom had two goals and senior Adam Ellison had 16 saves for the Purple and White's 3-1 win over NEC.
Bowdoin (6-4) and Colby (6-2-1)
The two Maine schools both took this period off to prepare for the start of NESCAC play in the New Year on the road against Hamilton and Amherst.
Connecticut College (3-9-1)
The Camels ended 2016 in Bah-stahn at the 52nd Annual Codfish Bowl hosted by UMass-Boston. The nationally ranked Beacons scored three goals against each of the three Conn College goalies for a 9-1 thrashing. In the consolation game, the Camels did their own thrashing thanks to the first collegiate hat-trick for senior Ryan Mowery for a 9-2 victory over a weak Franklin Pierce team.
Conn College gave frosh Connor Fredericks his first collegiate action between the pipes nearly a week later at home against the Manhattan Valiants. Fredericks made 28 saves and five different Camels scored, including Brian Belisle with his team leading seventh tally, as the Camels downed the Valiants 5-2. It was the first win in New London for the Camels since a 2015 NESCAC Quarterfinals OT win over Hamilton.
Hamilton (8-0-2)
Hamilton, the only undefeated team in NCAA hockey at any gender or division level, opened up 2017 with a home-and-home against the Skidmore Thoroughbreds. On New Year's day at the Conts yearly game at the Clinton Arena, Hamilton downed Skidmore on the strength of 39 saves by Evan Buitenhis and tallies from five distinct Continental hockey soldiers. The next day in Saratoga Springs, Hamilton once again won, this time with Charlie Fennel and his 24 saves in net and two tallies from Truman Landowski for a 4-1 victory.
Middlebury (0-9-1)
The Panthers stayed at home for their eponymous Middlebury Holiday Classic. In the opening round on Friday, the Panthers blew a 2-0 lead after two periods against Saint Anselm to end up tied at 3-3. Stephen Klein made a career high 43 saves but it wasn't enough to advance to the finals, as the Hawks scored the only goal in the shootout (officially the game is a tie). In the consolation game on New Year's Eve, the Panthers fell 1-0 to the lowly SUNY Canton 'Roos.
Trinity (6-3-1)
The Bantams took a trick out to Michigan for an exhibition against the USA Under-18 team and a non-conference tilt against fourth ranked Adrian. In the exhibition game, the Bantams actually lead the US national team 3-2 after two periods before letting up four third period goals for a 6-3 loss that won't hit the record books. The U18s have defeated all four D-III teams they have played this season, including the Adrian Bulldogs.
Speaking of Adrian, the Bantams downed the Bulldogs 2-1 in a rematch of the 2015 NCAA D-III semis thanks to two first period goals from senior Ethan Holdaway and Anthony Sabitsky and 18 saves from Alex Morin.
Tufts (6-2-1)
The Jumbos were off for this period but will be playing in a tournament hosted by Endicott this weekend while most of the 'Cac is engaged in conference play.
Wesleyan (6-3-0)
The resurgent Cardinals traveled to upstate New York for the W.B. Mason Winter Classic hosted by SUNY Plattsburgh. The Cardinals faced the host Cardinals in the opening round and fell 5-3 to their namesake. In the third Place game, sophomore George Blinick made his second start of the season and earned his second shutout with 33 saves while junior Dylan Holze netted a hat trick for a 3-0 victory over Castleton State.
Williams (4-3-2)
Williams traveled to Northfield, VT for Norwich's holiday tournament. In the opening round, the Ephs took on the then top ranked Lakers from SUNY Oswego. In a back and forth game that saw Oswego force OT with a goal in the final minute, the Ephs triumphed with an OT goal from senior Tyler Young for a 4-3 victory. Things didn't get much easier in the finals against the host and fifth ranked Cadets of Norwich, who jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one period. Williams isn't located in suburban New York, but the Ephs fought back valiantly (AMIRITE?) with three third period goals before ultimately falling 4-3.
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