Williamstown, MA — The Williams College Ephs (5-10-1, 2-7-1) hosted Colby College (5-8-3, 2-6-3) in a game with massive playoff implications. After leading for most of the game, Williams would concede two late goals to allow Colby back into the game as the contest ended 3-3.
After a grueling game yesterday, and a tough loss, Williams was looking for a quick start to a historically difficult opponent. The first ten minutes of the game were all Ephs. It would be at this midway point that Williams would finally break through.
Brady Welsch and
Nicholas Rashkovsky would work the puck around to
Ben Lawrick who fired the puck top corner to give the Ephs a 1-0 lead. The Ephs sensed an opportunity to take control early, keeping the foot on the gas for the rest of the period. Multiple chances to extend the lead were created in front of the Mules net, but to no avail. Williams would skate into the locker room up 1-0.
The Ephs began the period down two men down and in need of a 5-on-3 kill. Colby would do the Ephs a huge favor as they would take a penalty of their own to make it 4-on-3. Right after the Williams penalty expired making it 4-on-4,
Sean Clarke was sprung on a breakaway which he coolly slotted home despite significant pressure. Colby wouldn't stay quiet for long as they began to turn the tide. Colby would pull within one midway through the second period and turned up the heat. Much of the play was in the Ephs' zone for the remainder of the period but the Ephs held strong and maintained a 2-1 lead.
The third period began well for the Ephs as they would add an insurance goal off the stick of
Jarin Sutton, assisted by
Owen Stadheim and
Nicholas Rashkovsky. The game would be marred by a difficult moment in the third period as an Eph was injured and did not return to the game The delay was followed up by two quick Colby goals to tie the game late. Overtime would be needed.
The overtime period was back and forth between the two teams with the Ephs controlling much of the puck. Ultimately, neither team would crack the code and the game ended 3-3.
After the game, Eph head coach
Bill Kangas spoke saying, "That game is a tough pill to swallow. We played very hard for most of the game and a quick slip lost us the points. Our thoughts and prayers are with our player who is alert and talking at the hospital. That is most important."
The Ephs hit the road to face Tufts University next Friday at 7pm.
