Monday, March 20, 2017

NCAA Quarterfinals: Trinity advances in double OT, Hamilton's most successful season comes to an end

Trinity won the NESCAC finals in OT. They needed 2OT to advance
to the NCAA DIII Frozen Four.


In Vermont, Evan Buitenhuis gave up the most goals (5)  he has allowed in his career and the top seed in the east Norwich Cadets laid waste to the Continentals 6-2 (Box). The game was close until two goals in the final two minutes of the second period gave the Cadets a commanding 4-1 lead heading into the final frame. Senior blueliners Conor Lamberti and Jon Carkeek had the two tallies for the Continentals to close out their careers.

Hamilton didn't bring their A game to Norwich, but the season as a whole was certainly a success. The nine man senior class,, which includes 100 point club member Robbie Murden, failed to make the NESCAC playoffs in their freshman year but did the following in their final collegiate season: set a school record in wins (20); earned the program's first trip to the NESCAC semis and finals; earned the school's first trip to the NCAA Tournament and first NCAA Tournament win.

Norwich advances to the DIII Frozen Four in Utica to face Adrian, who defeated UW-Stevens Point in one of the other NCAA Quarterfinals. IT would have been nice for the Conts to play in a Frozen Four 10 miles from home, but Hamilton isn't likely to be going away as a NESCAC contender next season with the return of Buitenhuis and five of their six top scorers from this season.







In Hartford, Anthony Sabitsky redirected a pass from Ryan Cole 4:15 into the second overtime to lift Trinity past Endicott 2-1 (Box). The Bantams put 69 shots on Gulls goalie Kevin Aldridge on the evening. Alex Morin stopped 49 shots of his own, including 16 in the overtime periods. Sean Orlando scored the first tally for the Bantams, bringing his post season total (three NESCAC playoff games and two NCAA tournament games) to seven (2-5-7).

The Bantams head to Utica for their second DIII Frozen Four in three years to face St. Norbert, who defeated Augsburg to round out the field of four. Trinity won the whole shebang two years ago in Minnesota with wins over Adrian and UW-Stevens Points. The Bants have made the last three NCAA tournaments and now have a 6-1 to date in the NCAA tournament under Matt Greason.





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