Box
Score
HARTFORD, CT - The Ephs continued their road trip this afternoon
and suffered a loss to NESCAC foe Trinity by a score of 4-1.
Plagued by a slow start in yesterday's contest, Bill
Kangas' squad was determined not to let that happen again, as
they jumped out to an early lead in the first. However, the Bantams
were able to score two goals in the second and two late in the
third en route to their victory.
Coach Kangas said of this afternoon's effort, “we
were better without the puck, especially defensively, but we were
unable to convert on our scoring chances.”
Cody Skinner got the scoring started for the Ephs with a goal at
the 11:31 mark of the first. His goal came off a two-on-one,
with assists credited to Matt Masucci and Connor Olvany. The
improved play of the Ephs in the opening period gave them a 1-0 as
they went to the locker room.
The second period would prove to be the difference in the
game. Trinity's Richard Hollstein scored just 5 minutes
into the period, assisted by Matthew Quigely and Jake Gaffey.
Play would go back and forth during the middle stages of the period
with both teams seeing quality scoring opportunities, but with 6:36
to play in the second Joe Tierney scored off a feed from Jeffery
Menard to break the tie and give the Bantams their first lead of
the game. Trinity headed into the locker room with the 2-1
lead.
The Ephs knew they would have to step their game up in the third
in order to come away with a victory. When they took the ice
for the final period, it was clear they were playing inspired
hockey, but on this afternoon they were unable to beat Bantam net
minder Wesley Vesprini, who finished with 25 saves in the
game. Williams called a timeout with 4:01 to play in hopes of
initiating a come from behind victory, but not long after play
resumed the Bantams were able to increase their lead, making it
3-1. Michael Blake scored the goal off an assist from Joe
Tierney. Tierney finished with a goal and an assist on the
afternoon to lead the way for the Bantams. With less than two
minutes to play the Ephs pulled goalie Ryan Purdy (31 saves) for
the extra attacker, but with 1:15 to play in the game Adam Houli
scored on the empty net to put the game out of reach for the Ephs.
The weekend proves to the Ephs the equal playing field of NESCAC
competition. After the game Coach Kangas said, “the
scores this weekend, not just from our games, but from all NESCAC
games shows how balanced and competitive the league is this
year.”
The loss drops the Ephs' conference record to 5-3-0 and
7-3-1 overall, while the Bantams improve to 4-2-2 in the NESCAC and
7-4-2 overall.
The Ephs will have to put this weekend's losses behind
them quickly as they get back in action on Monday in an evening
matchup in Williamstown against the fourth ranked Plattsburgh State
Cardinals. That game is scheduled to begin at 7pm at
the Lansing Chapman Rink.
