WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The Connecticut College men's ice hockey team wrapped up their road trip, falling to host Middlebury 6-0 on Saturday afternoon from Chip Kenyon Arena. With the loss, Conn falls to 6-11-1 overall and 4-8 in conference play, while Wesleyan improves to 9-9 on the year and 5-7 in NESCAC play.
It was a slow start to the opening period as both teams looked to build into the contest, but it was Middlebury that had the first four shots of the game, all turned aside by Kellen Beauton (Colchester, Conn.). Will Lawrence (Bethesda, Md.) got Conn their first shot of the afternoon, but he was stopped by Andrew Heinze. Late in the period, the Panthers broke the ice, as Jack Silverman found the back of the net off assists from Dante Palombo and Jake Oblak.
Conn opened the middle frame with an early power play, but the Camels were unable to capitalize with the extra skater. The teams traded opportunities, but both Beauton and Heinze stayed sharp keeping the Panthers in front 1-0 heading to the third period.
Middlebury doubled their lead early in the final period as Jin Lee found the back of the net at 1:41. Just under three minutes later Matt Myers pushed the lead to 3-0. The Panthers kept on the attack as Christian Wood converted for a power play marker at 9:34. Middlebury added two more goals, with tallies coming from Jackson Morehouse and Michael Fairfax to come away with the 6-0 win.
Middlebury outshot Conn 35-21, while winning 32 of 62 draws.
Beauton got the start in goal, finishing with 29 saves. Andrew Eberling (Mount Laurel, N.J.) paced Conn with three shots on goal, while five other Camels added two shots. John Russo (South Windsor, Conn.) won 11 draws, while Matt Lewis (Pembroke, Mass.) added 10 wins. Conn went 3-5 on the penalty kill and 0-3 on the power play.
Heinze picked up the win in goal, stopping all 21 shots. Silverman paced the Panthers with four points on one goal and three assists, while Palombo added three helpers, as Middlebury finished 2-5 on the power play and 3-3 on the penalty kill.
Conn returns home on Friday night for frontend of a home-and-home against Tufts with puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. in Dayton Arena.
