WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Junior forward
Brady Welsch of the Williams College men's ice hockey team scored a hat trick on senior night Friday evening, as the Ephs posted a 5-3 win against Connecticut College in their home opener at Lansing Chapman Rink.
Sophomore goaltender
Kael DePape earned the victory with a career-high 32 saves for the Ephs (1-2, 1-2 NESCAC). Prior to the game, Williams honored its fantastic eight-person senior class, featuring
Conner Fitzpatrick,
David Vieten,
Jared Lambright,
Connor Berg,
Ziv Deener-Chodirker,
Mel Mortarelli,
Trevor O'Brien and
Liam Jones.
"Tonight was a great team win against a very strong Connecticut College team with everyone contributing," said head coach
Bill Kangas. "While we will enjoy the win, we know we have to be equally prepared to compete against a very good Tufts team tomorrow."
Ryan McKenna opened the scoring 1:41 into the first period for Connecticut College (1-2, 1-2 NESCAC). The Ephs responded less than two minutes later, as Lambright's pressure forced a Camels' turnover in the Ephs' offensive zone and Welsch buried a shot from the slot.
With 15:51 left in the first period, Wade Volo put the visitors in front, 2-1. Williams evened the game at 2-2 with 8:27 on the clock, as sophomore
Jake McManus passed to Vieten, who found Welsch on the edge of the crease for a tip-in.
Welsch completed the hat trick 3:15 into the second period, as he stole the puck in the neutral zone, and then proceeded to rip a shot from the right faceoff circle that found its way into the back of the net. Junior
Logan Valkama scored the game-winner with 12:35 remaining in the second period, as he executed a give-and-go sequence with sophomore
Rowan Heithoff.
Connecticut College cut Williams' lead down to 4-3 on a power-play goal by Will Lawrence with 7:07 on the clock in the second, but a goal by Fitzpatrick with 5:34 left in the third gave the hosts some breathing room.
The Ephs will compete against Tufts Saturday at 3 p.m. in Lansing Chapman Rink.
