HENNIKER, NH – The Williams men’s hockey team completed the weekend sweep by defeating New England College 3-2 this afternoon. The Ephs got off to a quick start, going up 2-0 after the first period, and played strong the rest of the way for the victory. The win improved the Ephs January record to 3-3-1 and overall record to 9-3-2. Freshman Eric Rubino led the way offensively with a goal and an assist and sophomore goalie Ryan Purdy finished with 16 saves.
The Ephs carried their momentum from a 6-2 win over St. Anselm’s last night, scoring the games first goal less than ten minutes into the game. Junior Connor Olvany took the puck out of the corner and stick handled towards the net. He used linemate Matty Masucci as a decoy and fired a shot into the top corner for his second goal of the weekend. Less than two minutes later Rubino buried a rebound off a shot by Junior Ben Contini. Rubino picked the puck up in the slot and quickly drew it to his backhand, flipping it past Pilgrims goalie Aaron Harvey. Williams had a number of great opportunities, outshooting New England College 9-7 for the period.
Williams wasted little time in extending their lead, scoring on the power play less than two minutes into the second period. Senior Andrew Lepore took a pass from sophomore Stephen Maier and shot the puck on net. Masucci, who was screening Harvey on the play, deflected the puck into the net for the goal. Williams played well the rest of the period, killing off two penalties, while surrendering only 4 shots, but the Pilgrims cut the Ephs lead to two late in the period. Phil Moore took a hard slap shot from the top of the circle through a screen that rang off the post and into the net.
The third period was a back and forth affair, with both teams generating scoring chances. Contini made two strong rushes, splitting the defense and throwing the puck on net. Olvany almost had his second goal of the game when he sprinted up the boards, cut to the goal, and made a good move, but was robbed by the glove of Harvey. Alex Muse cut the Ephs lead to one late in the period when he gathered the puck low in the corner and shot the puck low past Purdy. The Pilgrims pulled their goalie late in the game, trying to punch in the tying goal but the Ephs held strong.
Head Coach Bill Kangas was excited to complete
the weekend sweep, saying: “It’s nice going on the road
and getting 4 points and executing our game. It was a great team
effort.” The
Ephs will look to stay on the winning track, heading into a long
stretch of home games, starting next weekend when they take on
Bowdoin and Colby.
