Malden, MA – Just 1:19 into the second period, junior
Sean Clarke would bat a puck out of mid-air to give the Ephs (2-3, 1-2) a definitive lead that they would not concede, downing the Tufts Jumbos (1-5, 0-3) by a score of 4-1.
The first frame proved to be a scoreless one as both teams fought hard, but neither could inch ahead with the opening goal. Williams senior goaltender,
Evan Ruschil, stood tall saving each of the six shots he faced.
Williams would come out the faster team in the second period, however, as they were able to sustain pressure on the Jumbos until they finally found a breakthrough.
Connor Kucharski would put a body on the Jumbos forward, springing first year
David Vieten on an odd-man rush. He then looked off the defender and coolly finished past the Tufts netminder.
The Jumbos had a chance to come back shortly after, as they found themselves up on a two-man advantage midway through the period. The Ephs would stand tall, and, through countless blocked shots and solid goaltending, they would ride out the storm and enter the final frame up 1-0.
Williams would extend their lead early, after a fantastic powerplay which resulted in a goal-of-the-year candidate from
Sean Clarke off a shot from
Ben Lawrick. The Jumbos would not go down easily though, as Joel Brandinger would net a powerplay goal of his own to halve the Ephs lead.
The Ephs would continue their solid defensive performance, holding the Jumbos off until junior
Jonah Gold was able to find a loose puck and fire it home from half-ice on the empty net.
Henry Muller would add a late snipe off a feed from
Jacob Eckerle to round up the Ephs 4-1 victory.
Williams will look to add another win tomorrow as they continue their road trip at Connecticut College at 3PM.
