CLINTON, N.Y. – The Connecticut College men's hockey team gave everything they had to top-seed Hamilton College, but ultimately came up short, falling in overtime 5-4 on Saturday afternoon from Russell Sage Rink.
The opening period was frenetic as both sides came out with loads of energy. With just over eight minutes remaining, Arty Mirante (Garden City, N.Y.) had his shot stopped by Aksel Reid, but the rebound fell right to Reece Cordray (Verona, Wis.) who tapped it home to make it 1-0 at 11:43.
Hamilton answered two and a half minutes later as Noah Leibl's wrap-around attempt snuck in at the post to make it 1-1. The Camels had a chance to retake the lead with a late power play, but Conn was unable to convert, as the game was tied at one after one.
The teams traded chances early in the middle frame, but Hamilton earned a power play just past the seven minute mark. The Continentals capitalized on the man-advantage as Max Bulawka made it 2-1 at 8:35.
Conn responded two minutes later, as Ryan McKenna (Garden City, N.Y.) fired a pass in front of the goal that Jimmy Lyver (North Grafton, Mass.) fired home to make it 2-2. The Camels kept up the pressure and just 1:21 later, Steven Ardagna (Roswell, Ga.) fired home from the point to put Conn up 3-2 heading to the third.
Hamilton evened the score just 2:18 into the final period, as Justin Biraben was sprung on a breakaway, converting to make it 3-3. The Continentals stayed on the front foot earning a power play with just under 11 minutes remaining. With the extra skater, Hamilton put six shots on goal, but Kellen Beauton (Colchester, Conn.) answered the call in net.
Conn battled back and retook the lead with 7:42 to play. Quinn Kennedy (Silver Spring, Md.) threw a puck on goal that was stopped by Reid, but Matt Lewis (Pembroke, Mass.) poked the rebound through Reid to make it 4-3. The momentum swung back to Hamilton with just over four minutes remaining, as Bulawka scored his second power play goal to make it 4-4. Both sides had chances to win it over the dying minutes, but the game remained tied, moving to overtime.
The teams traded two shots a piece in the opening minute of the first extra session, before Hamilton earned a power play. On the man-advantage, Devon de Vries hit the power, while Beauton made two big saves to extend the game. However, just under five minutes into the overtime, Leibl punched home a rebound to give the Continentals the 5-4 win.
Hamilton outshot Conn 40-26, holding a 29-26 edge on face-off wins.
Beauton was solid in net, finishing his career with 35 saves. Ardagna, Cordray, Lewis, and Lyver all tallied one goal, while Kareem Alazem (McLean, Va.), Andrew Eberling (Mount Laurel, N.J.), Kennedy, McKenna, Mirante, and Shane Zarcone (, N.Y.) all added one assist. Lewis led the way with 13 face-off wins, Conn went 3-5 on the penalty kill and 0-1 on the power play.
Reid picked up the win, finishing with 22 saves. John Wojciechowski led the way with three assists, while both Bulawka and Leibl both notched two goals. Hamilton finished 1-1 on the penalty kill and 2-5 on the power play.
Conn's season comes to a close with a 10-14-1 mark, and the Camels fifth appearance in the NESCAC tournament over the last six seasons.
