AMHERST, Mass. - Bowdoin first-year Colin Downey scored the game-winner in overtime to give the fifth-seeded Polar Bear men's ice hockey team a 4-3 victory over fourth-seeded Amherst in the quarterfinals of the NESCAC Tournament Saturday. Bowdoin battled back from a one-goal deficit on three occasions in the victory, which propels them to the NESCAC Semifinals against Colby next Saturday at Williams College. Amherst finishes the year at 12-9-4 overall, while Bowdoin improves to 16-7-1.

Amherst jumped out to a 1-0 lead six minutes into the first period when junior Jeremy Deutsch collected a pass at the point from first-year Brian Safstrom and ripped a low wrist shot inside the right post. The Lord Jeffs' penalty kill held Bowdoin's DIII-leading power play unit scoreless during two first-period opportunities, and Amherst headed into the first intermission leading 1-0.

Bowdoin's first line came out with renewed energy, sending a flurry of shots at Amherst goalie Cole Anderson. During a power play five minutes into the period Bowdoin finally broke through when senior Brendan Reich snuck a shot past Anderson, evening the score at 1-1. The Jeffs struck back five minutes later when goaltender Steve Messina was unable to control a quick shot from sophomore Dylan Trumble, and Safstrom jammed the rebound between Messina's legs and across the goal line, giving Amherst a 2-1 advantage.

Bowdoin's power play unit again evened the score with 6:58 to play in the second. During a scramble in front of the Amherst goal, Bowdoin's Daniel Weiniger sent a no-look pass to an awaiting Harry Matheson, who lifted a shot into an open Amherst net to tie the game at 2-2. Amherst soon regained the lead during a man advantage when junior Mark Colp redirected a slap shot from sophomore Jamie Hawkrigg between Messina's legs, sending the Jeffs into the second intermission with a 3-2 lead.

With 7:54 remaining in the final period, Bowdoin erased a one-goal deficit for the third time when senior Jeff Fanning lifted a shot over Anderson's shoulder and into the top netting. Neither team was able to break the 3-3 deadlock during the remainder of regulation, and the game headed to sudden-death overtime.

After 18 minutes of scoreless overtime play, Downey broke away from the Amherst defense and snapped a high shot into the top corner of the Amherst goal, as the Bowdoin bench flooded the ice to celebrate the dramatic 4-3 come-from-behind win.

Anderson finished the night with 36 saves for Amherst, while Messina turned away 31 shots in the win for the Polar Bears.