CLINTON, N.Y. - Jeff Fanning scored two goals, including the game-tying tally with 58 seconds left, as the Bowdoin College men's ice hockey team rallied from a two-goal third-period deficit to force a 3-3 tie at Hamilton on Saturday. The Polar Bears stand at 13-5-1 (9-5-1 NESCAC) and have sole possession of first place in the NESCAC entering the final two weeks of the regular season.
Trailing 3-2, Bowdoin pulled goalie Richard Nerland for an extra skater with 1:30 remaining in the third. The move paid off as the Polar Bears applied pressure to Hamilton goalie Cam Gibbar, who was making just the second start of his college career. The puck slipped through the crease and Fanning swept it in from the right post.
Bowdoin grabbed a 1-0 lead at 5:34 of the first. Fanning scored on a rebound after Gibbar had made a save during a Polar Bear power play. Hamilton tied the score with 9:21 remaining in the first and just eight seconds into a power play. Tom Chiappetta put a shot on goal that resulted in a rebound and Joe Buicko was there to finish off the play for his fifth goal.
The score remained tied at 1-1 until the Continentals got their offense rolling early in the third period. DiMare scored his 11th goal 1:19 into the period to make it 2-1. Anderson gave Hamilton a two-goal cushion at 2:56 with his 12th goal.
Daniel Weiniger cut Bowdoin's deficit to one goal at 7:53 with his 17th goal. His tough-angle shot from the bottom of the left circle eluded Gibbar. Both teams took four shots in overtime.
Nerland made 44 saves as the Continentals held a 47-35 shot advantage while Gibbar stopped 32 shots. The Polar Bears lead the all-time series, 41-17-6. Bowdoin hosts Trinity College in NESCAC action on Friday evening.
