Williamstown, MA – Senior Weekend drew to a close as Williams College (1-5-0, 1-3-0) hosted Connecticut College (1-4-0, 1-3-0). The Ephs would trail early as the Camels scored three goals in the opening period, a deficit the Ephs would not be able to surmount. Despite a strong finish to the game, Williams would drop their fifth straight game, 5-2.
It would not take long for the visitors to set the tone in the game as they hemmed the Ephs in their own zone for the opening minute. Eventually, a shot fired from the slot would sneak through Ephs' first-year goaltender
Harrison Fogel to open the scoring. It wouldn't take long for the visitors to add a second as another shot from deep would squib home to make it 2-0 Camels. The Conn run would end with a few minutes left in the period as a rebound was fired home to make it 3-0 Camels.
Cal Sandquist would assume goaltending duties after that score. The Ephs wouldn't go down without a final swing, however, as a strong battle in the corner from
Ethan Prout popped to
Jamie Cates. The senior fired a pass in front to
Sean Clarke who would tip the puck home to cut the Camels' lead to 3-1.
Williams would continue to roll deep into the second period, creating chances left and right but failing to put one home. A too-many-men penalty on the Camels would put the Ephs a man-up with a great chance to get back in the game. It would only take nine seconds for the Ephs to capitalize when
Conner Fitzpatrick and
David Vieten would create a scramble in front. The loose puck would be fired home by
Jonah Gold to cut the Camels lead to 3-2. The Ephs would continue to fight for the equalizer but could not convert.
The Ephs came out in the third needing the next goal, but the Camels had other plans. Conn College would find themselves on a 4-3 power play to begin the third period, hungry to extend their lead. A shot from the point would deflect off a Williams stick to make the game 4-2 for the Camels. The Ephs continued to be pests in front of the Camels' net, registering 34 shots on the night. Despite the strong finishing effort, it was not to be as a last second empty netter would make the final score 5-2.
Eph head c
Bill Kangas noted after the game, "We asked the team to compete tonight and win their battles. When you start the game as we did and find yourselves down 3-0, it will always be an uphill battle. We have two more big games before the break so it will be a huge weekend coming up".
The Ephs host the Amherst College Mammoths in a big rivalry match-up next Friday at 7pm.
