Hamilton 2 SUNY Canton 1

by LPfan2004

The Hamilton Continentals rounded out non-conference play when they faced off against the SUNY Canton Kangaroos at Sage Rink on Sunday, January 21st. The two teams had met earlier in the season at the Skidmore Invitational when Hamilton prevailed 3-1. Hamilton came into the game ranked 10th/ 13^th  (D3hockey..com/USCHO) in the nation with a 9-5-1 record, while Canton came in 5-11-2. Anthony Tirabassi started at goalie for the Continentals, while the Kangaroos gave the job to Austin Washkurak.

Hamilton’s Sterling Bray broke the ice for Hamilton with a goal 17 minutes into the opening frame. It was his first goal of the season and it was assisted by fellow sophomore Sam Jones, who stopped a Canton clear to keep the puck in the zone and setup his classmate. The Conts took a 2-goal lead seven minutes into the second period on a power play goal by freshman Sean Allen, his first collegiate goal season, and helpers on the tally went to senior Brandon Willett, who setup Allen on the give-and-go, and University of Maine transfer Stephen Cochrane. Canton responded late in the second with their own power play goal courtesy of Josh Sova, his 8^th of the season. No more goals were scored in the game, and Hamilton earned a 2-1 victory over SUNY Canton.

Canton lost despite Washkurak’s valiant effort. He stopped 31 of the 33 pucks he saw,  while Tirabassi stopped 17 for Hamilton in a victory after three rough in-conference starts. The Continentals went one for five on power plays in the affair, while the Kangaroos were one for two.

Because this win does not matter in conference standings, it leaves Hamilton at 7^th in the NESCAC. Hamilton’s next game will be Saturday when they travel to NESCAC top dawgs, Trinity. The Continentals have 8 more games left in their regular season.

LPfan2004 is going back to the Panic at the Disco well for Hamilton's perfect 6-0 victorious non-conference schedule, a welcome respite from a conference three game losing streak.