Box Score
BIDDEFORD, MAINE - The Williams College men's hockey team (5-0-1) scored three goals in a two-minute span in the first period to put the game out of reach and secure a 6-0 win over host University of New England (1-4-0).
Connor Olvany '11 led the way for the Ephs on Friday night, tallying three points on two goals and one assist. Defensemen Brian Malchoff '11 and Justin Troiani '12 both scored their first goals of the year, and Ben Contini '11 and Bryden McGhee '14 rounded out the scoring with goals of their own.
After four days of rest, the Williams icemen found themselves in Biddeford, Maine, where they hoped to extend their unbeaten streak against the Nor'easters and pick up right where they left off last weekend.
Like they have done many times this year, the Ephs got out to a fast start by scoring three goals in the first period to take a commanding early lead. "Our goal was to come out hard and fast in the first period, and we did a good job of that tonight," added Head Coach Bill Kangas.
The first goal for Williams was the result of a great effort by the penalty-killing unit, which was able to disrupt the Nor'easter power play and generate shorthanded offense. Capitalizing on this solid defense was Olvany, who took a nice outlet pass from co-captain Matt Masucci '11 and scored on the breakaway to give Williams the 1-0 lead.
Williams continued their relentless attack, and a minute and a half later this led to another goal, as Contini scored off assists from Troiani and forward John Wickman '13 to make the score 2-0.
Aided by an Evan Dugdale '12 assist, Malchoff added yet another Williams goal less than a minute later to give the Ephs a 3-0 lead heading into the locker room.
The score remained at 3-0 until the halfway point of the second period, when Masucci found Olvany yet again for the senior forward's second goal of the night to give the Ephs a 4-0 lead. "[Masucci and Olvany] have been playing together for four years have developed a great chemistry," noted Kangas. The senior duo has combined for 16 of Williams' points through 6 games, with 9 goals and 7 assists between them so far.
The Ephs picked up their intensity again in the third period, getting back-to-back goals from McGhee and Troiani in under a minute to make it a 6-0 advantage and put the game out of reach for good. At the end of the game, Williams held a 30-shot advantage over UNE, taking 46 shots on net compared to the Nor'easters' 16.
Kangas was pleased to see his team continue to play hard into the final period: "We kept the pressure on for the entire game, which is very important especially when you're playing on the road."
Goaltender Ryan Purdy '12 notched his second shutout of the season, with 16 saves on 16 shots in 60 minutes of play. UNE goalie Mike Roper made 40 saves on 46 shots in 60 minutes of play.
Williams will play again Saturday afternoon against Southern Maine (2-3-1), who is just coming off a 5-3 victory over Middlebury. Game time is 4 PM.
