AMHERST, Mass. – The Connecticut College men's ice hockey team's three-game win streak was snapped on Saturday afternoon, as the Camels fell to host Amherst College 5-2 from Orr Rink. With the loss, Conn falls to 5-6-2 overall and 3-5-0 in NESCAC play, while Amherst improves to 9-5-0 on the year and 5-4-0 in conference action
Amherst (9-5-0, 5-4-0 NESCAC) opened the scoring just 5:24 into the contest on a goal from Bobby Luca, putting the Mammoths up 1-0. Just past the midway point of the period, Amherst doubled their lead on a tally from Zachary Murray at 10:08. The Mammoths added one more goal in the frame, as Vincent Velocci made it 3-0 at 16:19. With time winding down in the period, Conn (5-6-2, 3-5-0 NESCAC) finally got on the board, as Andrew Eberling (Mount Laurel, N.J.) and Quinn Kennedy (Silver Spring, Md.) connected with John Russo (South Windsor, Conn.) who found the back of the net with eight seconds left, as the Camels trailed 3-1 after one.
Amherst started the second period on the front foot, earning an early power play. On the ensuing power play, the Mammoths were called for a penalty as the teams played four aside. With the teams at 4-on-4, Steven Ardagna (Roswell, Ga.) let a shot go that beat Alex Wisco at 5:51, with assists from Russo and Eberling to cut the deficit to 3-2. Neither side took advantage the rest of the period, as Amherst led 3-2 heading to the third.
Conn started the final period strong, looking to tie the game. However, it was the Mammoths that tallied the next goal, as Murray picked up his second goal of the game at 8:39. The Camels pushed back looking to cut into the deficit again, but Amherst held them at bay. With just under two minutes remaining, Will McEvoy (Ottawa, Ontario) was pulled for the extra attacker. With the net empty, Josh Burke put the puck into the empty cage, as Amherst came away with the 5-2 win.
Amherst outshot Conn 31-18, while the Camels held a 31-26 advantage on face-offs.
Sean Dynan (Reading, Mass.) got the start in goal, giving up three goals on 13 shots, before being replaced by McEvoy, who finished with 16 saves on 17 shots. Russo and Eberling paced Conn with two points each. Russo recorded one goal and one assist, while Eberling picked up two assists. Ardagna and Kennedy both added one point on a goal and an assist respectively. Seth Stadheim (Lyme, N.H.) led the way in the circle, winning 13 of 26 draws, while the Camels went 3-5 on the penalty kill and 0-3 on the power play.
Wisco started in goal, making 16 saves on 18 shots. Burke and Murray paced Amherst with three points each. The Mammoths finished the afternoon going 2-5 on the power play and 3-3 on the penalty.
Conn continues their road trip with a two-game swing through Connecticut, as the Camel's kickoff the weekend against Wesleayan on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. in Middletown, Conn.
