Box
Score
UTICA, NY - The Williams College men's hockey team (1-2)
overcame a two goal deficit to defeat Utica College 3-2 in overtime
in front of 2,505 fans at the Utica Memorial Auditorium Saturday.
The gutsy come from behind performance snaps a two-game losing
streak for the Ephs, and earns them their first victory of the
year.
Utica (5-3) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead within the first 3:39
of the first period, netting goals from Nick Kulas only 47 seconds
in and again on a Vincent Nucci tally less than three minutes
later. However, the Ephs wouldn't allow themselves to get
flustered, and responded with increased intensity throughout the
period.
By the second period, the Ephs had succeeded in setting the tempo
and dictating play as they controlled the puck and created several
excellent scoring opportunities. Most notably when sophomore Alex
Smigelski put two rebound shots on net in the seventh minute.
Despite their productivity the Ephs failed to tally a goal in the
period.
However, it didn't take long for the Ephs to get on the
board in the third period - freshman Matt Masucci scored his first
collegiate goal on an assist from classmate Ryan Young only one
minute in.
The Eph's were able to send the game into overtime with only
51 seconds left in regulation when senior Brandon Jackmuff scored
his second goal of the season.
Overtime saw increased intensity from both squads, but it was the
Ephs who ultimately came out on top. In a sequence reminiscent of
their overtime inducing goal, Eph forward Steve Bruch converted
freshman defensemen Brian Malchoff's pass with three seconds
left in overtime to give the Ephs the victory.
Williams out shot Utica 32-30 on the night and neither team
capitalized on nine total power-play opportunities.
“I thought the team responded well when we went down
2-0,” remarked Eph coach Bill Kangas, “The kids
bunkered down and we got better as the game went on – it was
a great team effort.”
The Ephs look to see if they can ride the momentum from their
dramatic victory into their first home game of the season, which
will be played tomorrow at 5:30 PM against Manhattanville.
