Williamstown, MA – The Williams College men's ice hockey team (7-6-0, NESCAC 7-3-0) made a third period rally against the Bowdoin Polar Bears (4-5-4, NESCAC 4-3-3) this afternoon in Chapman Rink but were unable to overcome a one-point deficit leading to a Bowdoin 3-2 win.
In their last matchup, the Ephs claimed their fifth consecutive win against the Bears away from home. The Bears are coming off a tied 2-2 game against Middlebury last night. In the goal for the Ephs today is
Evan Ruschil, who sports a 0.957 save percentage. The Polar Bears had Alex Kozic between the pipes with 0.948 save percentage.
In the first period, the Polar Bears came out quick and fast posting 12 shots on goal in comparison to the Ephs 5. Of the 12, Bowdoin converted a quick goal at 13:16, when Albert Washco, assisted by Ean Small and Andy Stoneman, made a slap shot through Ruschil's pads. The Ephs were first to gain a two-minute one-man advantage at 3:24 but were unable to capitalize. The Polar Bears had their turn at 5:50, when a surprising penalty on Eph goalie
Evan Ruschil put the Ephs down one man. Regardless, the Ephs buckled down their penalty killing team and quickly shut it down. With less than two minutes left in the period, Bowdoin's Jack Studley was sent to the box for boarding giving the Ephs an advantage going into the second period.
The Ephs came out of the locker aggressive, hoping to maximize their power play opportunity for an equalizer. The tables turned quickly at 1:51, when
Ben Lawrick was penalized, and the Polar Bears were up one skater. The Bears were able to post five shots but were unable to convert due to the Ephs defense. After successfully shutting down the Polar Bear power play, the Ephs gained the upper hand with two consecutive penalties against the Polar Bears but did not score. After the second, the total tallied shots on goal were at 23 to 17 in favor for the Polar Bears and neither team scored.
Adamant to extend their lead, the Polar Bears pressed into the Ephs defensive unit. At 6:37, Andy Stoneman, assisted by Graham Rutledge, manage to gain another point for Bowdain, putting the game 2-0. Not long after, the Ephs responded with their own goal at 12:11,
Jamie Cates, assisted by
Faisal Alsaif and
Henry Muller, rang the bell for the Eph's first goal. However, the Polar Bears continued to assert dominance in scoring—making their third goal at 14:00. Andy Stoneman, assisted by Albert Washco, tallied his second goal of the game. Although six minutes left in the game, the Ephs did not give up and posted their second goal at 17:20.
Jack Forrest, assisted by
Nick Altmann and
Tyler Cooligan lit the lamp putting the Ephs back 1. While they continued to push for the equalizing goal, the Ephs were unable to make up the deficit and the Polar Bears would defeat the Ephs 3-2.
The Ephs will be back on ice 7pm next Friday against Connecticut College in Camel territory.
