WATERVILLE, Maine – The Connecticut College men's hockey team clinched a berth in the NESCAC playoffs thanks to a 5-2 win over host Colby College on Saturday afternoon from Jack Kelley Rink.
Conn came out of the gates quickly, opening the scoring just 30 seconds into the contest. Quinn Kennedy (Silver Spring, Md.) finished off the play, as Will Lawrence (Bethesda, Md.) and Matt Lewis (Pembroke, Mass.) picked up the assists. The teams traded chances for the rest of the period but both Kellen Beauton (Colchester, Conn.) and Adam Costley were sharp, keeping the Camels in front 1-0 after one.
Conn used another quick goal, doubling their advantage just 33 seconds into the middle. Pete Stanger (Bathurst, New Brunswick) fired home as Lewis and Ryan McKenna (Garden City, N.Y.) earned the assists.
Colby did not go away quietly, as the Mules got a goal back just three minutes later from Reese Farrell to make it 2-1. With just under three minutes remaining, Colby had a chance to even the score with a power play, but the Camels got their conference best sixth short-handed goal, this time coming from McKenna to send Conn to third in front 3-1.
The Mules continued to push, looking to cut the deficit, and once again made it a one goal game with 10 minutes left off a tally from Colby Browne. With just under two minutes remaining, Colby pulled Costley for the extra attacker, but Kennedy notched his second of the game on a three-quarter ice shot to make it 4-2. On the ensuing face-off, Arty Mirante (Garden City, N.Y.) was sprung on a breakaway by Reece Cordray (Verona, Wis.) scoring just seven seconds after Kennedy to ice the game and give the Camels the 5-2 win.
Colby outshot Conn 32-24, holding a slim 34-32 edge on face-off wins.
Beauton was strong in net again, finishing with 30 saves. Kennedy led the way with two goals, as McKenna and Mirante both notched a goal and an assist, with Lewis chipping in two helpers. Stanger added the remaining Camels goal, while Cordray and Lawrence both added an assist. Lewis led the way with 14 face-off wins, as Conn went 4-5 on the penalty kill and 0-3 on the power play.
Costley got the start in goal, finishing with 19 saves. Browne and Farrell both tallied a goal, while three other Mules added an assist. Colby went 1-5 on the power play and 3-3 on the penalty kill.
Conn concludes the regular season with a 10-13-1 mark overall and 6-11-1 mark in NESCAC action, as the Camels will await their playoff matchup which will be announced shortly.
