WILLIAMSTOWN, MA — On the final game day before Winter Break, the Williams College Ephs (1-7-0, 1-5-0) hosted the Hamilton College Continentals (7-1-0, 4-1-0). The Ephs would find themselves ahead in the game going into the third period, but a strong push from Hamilton cemented their hot 7-1 start as they downed the Ephs 3-1.
Williams was the better team in all areas to begin the hockey game. Their relentless forecheck and conservative defensive pressure saw them control much of the possession and chances.
Cal Sandquist stood tall when called upon and allowed the Ephs to continue building momentum. After several successful shifts from the Ephs,
Owen Stadheim would make a surging drive to the net before finishing below the goalie's glove to open the scoring. For the first time in a long time, the Ephs would head to the locker room up a goal.
The second period was much less controlled than the first, with both teams playing quick transition hockey. The frame was also riddled with penalties, yet neither team could find the back of the net. The Ephs would once again find the better chances for a majority of the period, but several close calls amounted to no goals. As the period wound down, Hamilton would take advantage of a few late Eph penalties to regain a bit of momentum.
Cal Sandquist made some massive saves on these man-advantages to keep the Ephs in the lead as they headed into the third period.
The third would be a forgettable one for the Ephs. After some great penalty killing early in the period, Williams would head to the power play after a scary collision between the sliding Hamilton goalie and forward
Logan Valkama. Despite several good looks from
Connor Berg and
Owen Stadheim, the Ephs efforts were fruitless as the game returned to 5-on-5 play. A few minutes later, a shot from the Hamilton defensemen was tipped home in the high slot to level the game. After deliberation for a possible high stick, it was ruled a good goal (much to the chagrin of the Eph faithful). The Continentals could sense the momentum shift and took full advantage. They would fire home two quick goals late in the period to take a 3-1 lead with a couple minutes remaining in the contest. The Ephs would once again pull their goalie, but to no avail as they dropped the game 3-1.
Eph head coach
Bill Kangas spoke after the game saying, "We played an amazing hockey game for 40 minutes tonight. Unfortunately, in this league you need to put up 60. They took advantage of their opportunities and we know we could have done a better job on ours. The break will do the boys good to come back hungry after the holiday".
The Ephs go home for the break before returning for a game against Albertus Magnus on the 30th at 4pm in New nHaven, Conn.
