BOX SCORE
PLATTSBURGH, NY – Williams and NESCAC foe Hamilton squared off in a non-NESCAC contest in the consolation game of the Buck Supply Winter Classic and the Ephs claimed a 4-3 overtime win.
With the win Williams improved to 6-1-2 on the year and Hamilton fell to 3-5-1 Hamilton (3-4-1). While this was a game between two NESCAC teams it does not count in the NESCAC standings. The game to be played in Williamstown on February 22 will count in the NESCAC standings as did the game back on December 6 at Hamilton when the Ephs rallied from a goal down to tie the Continentals 1-1 on a power play goal from Craig Kitto in the third period.
The Ephs' four goals in the game were scored by four different players.
The Ephs opened the scoring in the contest with a goal late in the first period with freshman Frankie Mork being set up by senior captain Nick Anderson for his third goal of the season at 19:43. Mork scored on a blast from the left face-off circle on Anderson's third assist of the season.
The Ephs fired of 10 shots in the opening 20 minutes and Hamilton registered 7 shots.
Hamilton tied the game with a second period power play goal by Robbie Murden with Conor Lamberti and Michael DiMare assisting.
The teams headed into the second intermission with the score tied at 1, but with Williams still having 1:59 left on a power play to open the third period.
After two periods the Ephs had built a 19-14 lead in shots on goal. Through two periods the Ephs had come up empty on seven power play opportunities.
Hamilton re-gained the lead in the third period as Robbie Murden struck again. This time Murden's tally was a short-handed unassisted effort.
For the second consecutive night freshman Sam Gray scored the Ephs' second goal of a game and tied the score at 2. Gray's goal at even strength was an unassisted score.
The score remained tied for just 37 seconds, however, as Hamilton's Kenny Matheson collected a loose puck and swept it past Eph sophomore goalie Noah Klag to put the Continentals back on top, 3-2.
Stymied on the power play for over 59 minutes and on their nine previous man advantage situations, the Ephs finally converted on one with just 13 ticks left on the clock thanks to Zander Masucci. Masucci's game-tying tally was assisted by David Jarrett and Nick Anderson.
Through the first 60 minutes the Ephs out shot the Continentals 37-21
It took the Ephs less than a minute to settle things in OT – 56 seconds to be precise. The game-winner was netted by freshman George Hunkele whose shot deflected off a player out front and eluded the efforts of Hamilton netminder Charlie Fennell.
On the day Klag turned aside 18 of 21 Hamilton shots, while Fennel was credited with 34 saves in the contest.
"We played well today," said Eph mentor Bill Kangas. "I really liked how hard we played and how hard the guys worked today."
"Hamilton did a nice job killing off a lot of our power plays, but we stayed the course and came back from down a goal twice in the third period to win in overtime," added Kangas. "There was a lot to like out there today including the play of Noah Klag who made his first start of the season a win. He had some real big saves and was solid throughout."
At the end of the tournament Eph freshman forward George Hunkele was named to the All-Tournament team. Hunkele had two assists in the Hobart contest and scored the game-winner versus Hamilton. On the year Hunkele is second on the team in points scored with 9, just behind junior Craig Kitto who has 10. Hunkele and Kitto are tied for team-high in assists with 5.
Next up for the Ephs is a Tuesday night NESCAC contest to be played in "America' Most Beloved Ballpark," Fenway Park. He puck will drop on the ice just above where second base is at 7:30 PM.
The game in Fenway will be webcast by the Ephs and can be seen HERE.
