Williams Hockey Coach Wins 300th Game

By Greg PaytonWilliams Sports Info
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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College coach Bill Kangas became the school's second hockey coach to lead the team to 300 wins after defeating the Wentworth Institute of Technology on Tuesday.

The 8-2 victory over the Leopards today makes Kangas only the second Williams College men's ice hockey coach to reach 300 wins.

The winningest coach in Williams College men's ice hockey history, Bill McCormick, preceded Kangas and coached the Ephs for 35 years (1955-89). Coach McCormick recorded 336 wins.

This is Kangas's 23rd season as the head coach of the Ephs. He already holds the record for most wins in a season: 18 and  longest the unbeaten streak: 10.

Ephs freshman forward Craig Kitto scored two of the Ephs three unanswered goals in the 1st period including the games first goal just 2 minutes and thirty seconds into the game. The Ephs would tack on a fourth goal to close the opening period and never looked back as they cruised to the big win over the Leopards.

The Ephs came into the game against the Leopards with some momentum after a strong, three goal third period in their last outing to tie 3rd ranked SUNY Plattsburgh. Williams controlled possession for the majority of the first period tonight and found their offensive grove quickly, scoring four goals in the 1st period.

Some additional facts about Coach Kangas:
22 years, 291-205-45 (.579)

Little Three Championships:  11 outright and one tie

Won: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004 & 2005
Tie:  1990 & 2007

1991 – New England Div. 2/Div. 3 Coach of the Year

1994 – ECAC East Champions

1994 – National Shriner's All-Star Game Coach

2006 – Co-NESCAC Coach of the Year


2006 – Finalist for Div. 3 National Coach of the Year

7 – All-Americans
"I thought that the way we were able to take off from where we finished was a good sign," Kangas ssaid after the game. "I really liked the way we started the game. We really played with pace and that's what we've been working on."

Kitto's first goal broke the 0-0 tie early in the first period as he found teammate Patrick Morrissey's rebound and put it past Wentworth's starting goalie freshman Alex Peck less than three minutes into the game.

Only a minute and a half later, Williams was able to increase their lead to two when freshman forward Peter Mistretta found the back of the net on a one timer from sophomore forward Nick Anderson's centering pass.

Kitto's second goal of the night came when he brought the puck down the right side and used his backhand to beat Peck. Kitto's second was the Ephs third unanswered and they never looked back.

Wentworth was able to capitalize on man advantage opportunity that would put one goal on the board in their favor. Leopards freshman forward Mike Domsodi received a pass from teammate Skylur Jameson on the hashes and put it past Ephs freshman goalie Sean Dougherty to give the Leopards their only goal of the first period. The Ephs closed the first period by extending their lead once more as David Jarrett and Capt. Ryan Scott set up Nick Anderson by putting him in position to fire the puck past the outstretched right leg of Leopards goalie, Peck. Anderson's goal would give the Ephs a 4-1 lead at the first intermission.

In a very one sided second period the Ephs add four more and extend their lead to seven. Junior forward Mark Lyons added two of the Ephs four 2nd period goals.  The first of which came only three and a half minutes into the period and the second came on a centering pass from senior Capt. Justin Troiani that Lyons was able to redirect over the right pad of Leopards second goaltender of the contest, Jeff Giordani.

Troiani and sophomore defenseman Paul Steinig also each scored a goal in the second period, giving the Ephs a commanding seven goal lead headed into the final period of play.

Wentworth came out of the locker room with some intensity to start the 3rd period and were able to cut the Ephs lead to six early in the period. Sean Jameson, junior defenseman for the Leopards fired a slap shot right off of the face off that was won by teammate Kevin Crow.

Despite their efforts, the Leopards found the Ephs lead to be insurmountable and time would expire leaving the final score at 8-2.

The Ephs have a few days off before the upcoming road trip, during which they will travel to Bowdoin (6-5-2) on Friday night and Colby (3-11-0) on Saturday.

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Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.
 
But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.
 
"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."
 
"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.
 
Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.
 
The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.
 
Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.
 
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