NEW LONDON, Conn. – Reece Cordray (Verona, Wis.) scored the game-winning goal with 10:33 remaining as the Connecticut College men's ice hockey team downed visiting Colby 2-1 on Saturday afternoon from Dayton Arena.

Conn came out of the gates strong, as both Logan Cleary (Mentor, Ohio) and Max Treppo (Shaker Heights, Ohio) forced saves from Cooper Rautenstrauch in the opening minute. The Camels remained on the front foot, earning two power plays before the midway point of the period, but Conn was unable to convert with the man-advantage. 

Colby finally got their first shot of the afternoon from Colby Browne at 10:35 but Will McEvoy (Ottawa, Ontario) made the save. The Mules had a late chance to open the scoring with a 5-on-3 power play, but McEvoy made five saves in the final minute and a half, as the game remained scoreless after one.

Conn opened the second period, once again forcing two early saves from Rautenstrauch, as this time Jack Houser (Arlington, Mass.) and Saxen Robertson (Cranberry Township, Pa.) were denied. The teams traded chances for much of the period, but it was the Camels that finally broke the ice. William Tripp (Lakeville, Mass.) played a pass to his defensive partner Treppo who skated up through the neutral zone before firing a shot that squeaked through Rautenstrauch to put Conn in front at 16:37. Neither side was able to generate much in the final minutes, as Conn led 1-0 heading to the third.

Colby answered back just 1:17 into the final period as Browne took advantage of loose puck to tie the game at one. The Mules remained on the front foot looking to take the lead, but Conn battled back to retake the lead. The Camels dumped a puck deep into the Colby defensive zone, where Ryan McKenna (Garden City, N.Y.) won the race, firing a quick pass to Cordray in front who fired home to make it 2-1. Colby pushed looking to even the score again, but Conn held firm, including killing off a Mules power play. With just a minute remaining, Colby pulled Rautenstrauch for the extra skater, but Conn shut the door to earn the 2-1 win.

Conn outshot Colby 27-25, while the Mules held a 37-29 advantage on face-off wins.

McEvoy picked up another win in goal, finishing with 24 saves. Cordray and Treppo both recorded a goal, while McKenna and Tripp each added one assist. Arty Mirante (Garden City, N.Y.) and Rocco Testa-Basi (Ottawa, Ontario) both won seven face-offs, while Jon Barker (North Kingstown, R.I.) led the way with three blocks. Conn went 4-4 on the penalty kill and 0-3 on the power play.

Rautenstrauch got the start in net, recording 25 saves. Browne tallied the lone goal for Colby as the Mules went 0-4 on the power play and 3-3 on the penalty kill.

Conn (4-3-1, 2-3-1 NESCAC) returns to action on Saturday, January 4 as the Camels travel to Boston, Mass. to take on Southern New Hampshire in the first game of the Boston Landing Collegiate Invitational at 7:40 p.m.