Box Score
Waterville, ME -- Coming off of their first loss in over a month, the Williams College men's ice hockey team (10-2-4) was looking to get back on track this afternoon against the Colby Mules (3-14-0). Colby entered tonight's contest on a six-game skid, but fought the Ephs all the way through the end of the third period. The high-powered Ephs were able to fend off the Mules and hold on for a 5-4 victory.
Nick Anderson, Ephs sophomore forward, scored the game winning, 5th and final goal tonight for the Ephs late in the third period. The Mules responded after each of the Ephs two first period goals and it wasn't until two consecutive Williams College second period goals that slowed them down.
Williams came out strong in the first period determined to get themselves back in the winning column after last night's loss to the Bowdoin Polar Bears. As the Ephs began to find their offensive rhythm, senior captain Justin Troiani scored the game's first goal only seven minutes in. Troiani was setup by freshman forward Craig Kitto.
Colby was quick to respond after the Ephs first goal and evened the score at one only a minute later. Mules captain and senior forward, Dan Nelson tied the game at one. Nelson was set up by teammates Harff and Doherty.
Although the Mules out shot the Ephs in the first period 13-4, the Ephs were able to score two goals on their limited number or shots.
John Wickman, Ephs junior forward, gave Williams their second lead of the game when he beat Mules freshman goalie Jordan Nathan to put the Ephs up one.
Only a minute and a half later, Colby responded again. Brendan Cosgrove put the puck past Ephs senior goalie Ryan Purdy and into the back of the net to tie the score once again. Mules sophomore forward Jack Bartlett set up Crosgrove.
As time expired in the first period, the teams headed to their locker rooms deadlocked at 2 goals apiece.
Both teams came out of the first intermission with a lot of energy as puck moved up and down the ice with both teams controlling it in their own offensive ends.
It was not until half way though the second period that the Ephs scored the first of the two 2nd period goals. The second period goals gave the Ephs a commanding lead going into the final period of play.
The first of the two 2nd period Williams College goals came from Ephs freshman Kitto, as he was assisted by Ephs captain and senior defesneman, Ryan Scott.
The Mules had chances to bring the score back to even, but the Ephs were able to score their second consecutive 2nd period goal before Colby could answer. With five minutes left in the second period Ephs junior forward Cody Skinner put Williams up by two goals (4-2) headed into the third period.
The Mules came out strong in the final period of play knowing that they were running out of time to close the gap. It did not take Colby long to bring the Ephs two goal lead back to one.
Mules captian and senior defenseman, Patrick Bursee scored Colby's first goal of the 3rd period with help from senior forward Chris Buonomo and freshman forward Ray Zeek.
Determined to finish the game strong, the Ephs were able to net one last goal as Nick Anderson scored what proved to be the game winner for Williams. Anderson's goal came with 5 minutes left in the game from Kitto and Troiani.
The Mules never gave up as they kept fighting and only 30 seconds later Colby junior forward Spike Smigelski cut the Williams lead back down to only one. Smigelski was set up by Zeek.
As the Ephs lead by only one with minutes remaining, in desperation, the Mules proceded to pull their goalie and replace him with a 6th skater. The Mules effort was to no avail as the Ephs held on to their one goal lead and finished with a 5-4 victory.
The Ephs are off until next weekend when they will host the Tufts University Jumbos (6-6-1) on Friday night at 7 PM.
