Ephs squander early lead, tie undeafeted Southern Maine 4-4

Box Score 

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass – The Williams College men's ice hockey team jumped out to an early two-goal lead, before being forced into overtime and settling for a 4-4 tie with unbeaten Southern Maine Friday. The tie improves the Ephs record to 1-3-1 (0-2-1 in conference), while it ends the Huskies four-game win streak and leaves them 2-0-1 in conference.

For the second straight game the Ephs got out of the blocks quick, as the scrappy Ephmen's intensity helped them win the majority of loose pucks and bombard the net. Almost immediately the Ephs were creating excellent scoring opportunities with several one-on-ones narrowly being deflected by Husky goaltender Ryan Sullivan (34 saves). It didn't take long for the Eph pressure to net a goal.

A series of sharp one-touch passes culminated in an Alex Smigelski to Brandon Jackmuff through pass which Jackmuff kicked back out to a waiting Brian Malchoff whose midrange slap-shot from the left side beat Sullivan, giving the Ephs a 1-0 advantage – only 2:37 into the game.

Following the Eph goal, the game began to become increasingly physical with each team drawing fouls. However, it was the Ephs who would capitalize on the power play when their five on four advantage led to a puck scrum in front of the Husky net, which after being battered around, found the stick of Alex Smigelski who finally struck it through Sullivan's legs at the 11:05 mark.  

Towards the end of the period Southern Maine battled back, and netted a goal of their own on a power play when a quick succession of passes rapidly worked the puck around the goal until it found Pat Noonan who fired a high glove side bullet that beat Eph goaltender Marc Pulde as he was trying to adjust.

The second period, saw a quick but obvious role reversal as the Husky began to take it to the Ephs. Sturdy defense, lead by the stellar goaltending of Pulde (48 saves), stewarded the lead and held the Husky attack at bay and worked to spring a transition goal for the Ephs 9:27 into the period. With the Husky defense coming up hard for the attack, the Ephs got a two on one transition fast break that culminated in an Owen Holm follow up put back goal.

The goal was very much against the momentum of the period, and it didn't take the Husky's long to negate it with a goal of their own. Again working off the power play, the Huskies used swift one-touch passes to open up a window in the Eph defense, which they ultimately exploited with a well timed Eric Morgani slap-shot.  

The Huskies evened the score early in the third period with another power play goal. This time when a puck scrum developed in front of the Eph net, that pinballed around before being slapped home by Matt Rowe just 5:56 into the period.

The Ephs responded and battled back, creating multiple near misses before a nice defensive effort kept a seemingly hopeless offensive alive and sent the puck onto the stick of Andrew Lepore. Who proceeded to beat a defender and then smash the puck into the top of the netting from pointblank range, putting the Ephs up 4-3 with little over two minutes remaining.

With little time remaining, the Huskies showed why they have been so successful so far this year. About 30 seconds after the Ephs took the advantage, Rowe fielded the puck and made a run deep into Eph territory, as the defense collapsed around him he kicked out to Mike Stevens who slammed it in, tying the game and sending it into overtime.

The resourceful Huskies and the scrappy Ephs both created opportunities in the five-minute overtime; however, neither team could notch the game-winner.

"Well they are a good team –undefeated- we knew they were going to be tough." Remarked Eph coach Bill Kangas, "But we had them, we let them off the hook. Too many penalties on our part, and they were able to capitalize with three goals off of power plays. But, I'm proud of the kids we defiantly showed improvement."

The Ephs next game is 4:00 PM December 1st, at home against Salem State.