MEDFORD, Mass.  – The Connecticut College men's hockey team jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but ultimately fell to host Tufts 3-2 on Friday night from the Malden Valley Forum.

Conn started quickly, opening the scoring 4:28 into the contest. Pete Stanger (Bathurst, New Brunswick) found the back of the net, as Quinn Kennedy (Silver Spring, Md.) and Arty Mirante (Garden City, N.Y.) picked up the assists.

Conn continued their strong start, doubling the lead at 15:29. Shane Zarcone (Huntington, N.Y.) struck off assists from Michael Stenberg (Needham, Mass.) and Jimmy Lyver (North Grafton, Mass.) to send the Camels into the first intermission on top 2-0.

The teams traded chances early in the middle frame, but it was Tufts who found the next goal as Max Resnick made it 2-1 at 13:39. With around four minutes left in the period, Conn thought they pushed the lead back to two, as Reid Shafer (Coppell, Texas) caught Caio Bernardini out of the goal, but was ultimately ruled out for offside. The Jumbos took advantage and beat the buzzer as Marcus Sang made it 2-2 heading to the third.

Conn opened the final period with an early power play, but the Camels were unable to capitalize on the man-advantage. Seven and a half minutes into the period, Tufts took the lead as Ethan Ullrick converted on the power play to make it 3-2. Conn pushed looking to tie the game and pulled Will McEvoy (Ottawa, Ontario) for the extra skater with 1:40 to play, but were unable to find the equalizer, falling 3-2.

Conn outshot Tufts 20-18, while holding a 29-23 edge on face-off wins.

McEvoy got the start in goal, finishing with 15 saves. Stanger and Zarcone both tallied one goal, while Kennedy, Lyver, Mirante, and Stenberg all chipped in one assist. Mirante and Matt Lewis (Pembroke, Mass.) both won eight face-offs as Conn finished 0-2 on the power play and 0-2 on the penalty kill.

Bernardini got the win in net, recording 18 saves. Resnick and Ullrick both tallied two points, while six other Jumbos added one point. Tufts finished 2-2 on the power play and 2-2 on the penalty kill.

Conn (8-10-1, 4-8-1 NESCAC) closes out the home-and-home with Tufts tomorrow night with puck drop slated for 7:30 p.m. in Dayton Arena.