The Hamilton College men’s hockey team stretched its unbeaten streak to three games, rallying for a 4-2 NESCAC win over host Connecticut College in New London, Conn., on Saturday afternoon. The Continentals climbed out of a 2-0 hole with four goals in the final 30 minutes, including three in the third period.
Box score
Hamilton (8-8-6, 6-6-4 NESCAC) posted its biggest rally since erasing a 4-2 deficit in a 5-4 win at UMass Boston 98 games ago (Feb. 18, 2011).
The Continentals, who clinched a berth in the NESCAC Championship with Friday’s tie at Tufts University, remain in the hunt to host one of the four quarterfinals in the eight-team tournament. Hamilton stands in sixth place, a game and a half out of fourth place.
Nick Vassos ’15 scored the second goal in Hamilton’s comeback and assisted on the first. He also scored the Continentals' first goal on Friday; his two weekend goals were his first of the season.
Zach Arnold ’15 made 40 saves – one short of his career high – to earn the win, holding the Camels scoreless over the final 34 minutes.
The Continental rally started with just over nine minutes left in the second. Scott Vazquez ‘16 put Hamilton on the board after taking a pass from Vassos. He drew the Continentals even with a goal 2:30 into the third, following his own shot and putting the rebound between the pads of goaltender Tom Conlin ’16.
Hamilton scored twice in a 2:25 span late in the period to seal the win. The go-ahead goal came after a Camel defender knocked down a shot with his glove and Brandon Willett ’18 poked the puck into the net. Brad Smelstor '17 and Tyler Bruneteau ’18 assisted on Willett’s game winner, which came with 5:49 left. Pat Curtis ’15 scored his seventh goal of the year with 3:24 to go to provide the Continentals with a two-goal lead, taking a pass from Robbie Murden ’17 and scoring on a breakaway. Murden now has 15 assists and 27 points to lead the team.
The hosts scored the game’s first goal just 70 seconds in. Joe Birmingham ’16 put Conn. College (11-9-2, 8-7-1) on top with his 11th goal of the year. JC Cangelosi ’15 added a power-play goal at 6:01 of the second period. Tim DiPretoro ’16 assisted on both goals.
Arnold evened his record at 2-3-2, making 32 of his 40 saves in the first two periods. Conlin made 33 saves in the loss.
Hamilton hosts a NESCAC weekend series to close out the regular season, starting with a 7 p.m. game against nationally ranked No. 14 Williams College on Friday, Feb. 20. The Camels travel to Bowdoin College on Friday night.
