Williams Men's Ice Hockey Loses to Trinity, 4-1
 |
Coach Kangas said of this afternoon’s effort, “we were better without the puck, especially defensively, but we were unable to convert on our scoring chances.”
Cody Skinner got the scoring started for the Ephs with a goal at the 11:31 mark of the first. His goal came off a two-on-one, with assists credited to Matt Masucci and Connor Olvany. The improved play of the Ephs in the opening period gave them a 1-0 advantage as they went to the locker room.
The second period would prove to be the difference in the game. Trinity’s Richard Hollstein scored just five minutes into the period, assisted by Matthew Quigely and Jake Gaffey. Play would go back and forth during the middle stages of the period with both teams seeing quality scoring opportunities, but with 6:36 to play in the second Joe Tierney scored off a feed from Jeffery Menard to break the tie and give the Bantams their first lead of the game. Trinity headed into the locker room with the 2-1 lead.
The Ephs knew they would have to step their game up in the third in order to come away with a victory. When they took the ice for the final period, it was clear they were playing inspired hockey, but on this afternoon they were unable to beat Bantam net minder Wesley Vesprini, who finished with 25 saves in the game. Williams called a timeout with 4:01 to play in hopes of initiating a come from behind victory, but not long after play resumed the Bantams were able to increase their lead, making it 3-1. Michael Blake scored the goal off an assist from Joe Tierney. Tierney finished with a goal and an assist on the afternoon to lead the way for the Bantams. With less than two minutes to play the Ephs pulled goalie Ryan Purdy (31 saves) for the extra attacker, but with 1:15 to play in the game Adam Houli scored on the empty net to put the game out of reach for the Ephs.
The weekend proves to the Ephs the equal playing field of NESCAC competition. After the game Coach Kangas said, “the scores this weekend, not just from our games, but from all NESCAC games shows how balanced and competitive the league is this year.”
The loss drops the Ephs’ conference record to 5-3-0 and 7-3-1 overall, while the Bantams improve to 4-2-2 in the NESCAC and 7-4-2 overall.
The Ephs will have to put the weekend’s losses behind them quickly as they get back in action on Monday, Jan. 18 in an evening matchup in Williamstown against the fourth ranked Plattsburgh State Cardinals. That game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Lansing Chapman Rink.
