BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin College men's ice hockey team continued its recent scoring spree, defeating Connecticut College 6-4 on Saturday afternoon to clinch the second seed for the upcoming NESCAC Tournament.
The Polar Bears have won four straight, outscoring opponents 25-11 during the streak, and improve to 15-5-3 (12-3-3 NESCAC) on the season. Bowdoin will host Trinity in a NESCAC Quarterfinal at Watson Arena on Saturday, February 25 at 4:00 p.m. Ticket information is available below. The Camels fall to 6-15-3 (4-12-2 NESCAC).
Sophomore forwards Ollie Koo and Harry Matheson both had a goal and two assists to lead the visitors. Colin Downey, Jordan Lalor and Timothy McGarry all finished with one goal and one assist for Bowdoin. Sophomore netminder Steve Messina stopped 21 shots en route to the victory.
The Polar Bears took a 3-1 lead with 4:28 remaining in the opening period. After a Jordan Lalor score broke the 1-1 deadlock, Colin Downey made a wraparound move to draw the Camel defense in tight and assisted Timothy McGarry for a one-timer from the high slot. Bowdoin held a 10-to-6 advantage on shots in the opening frame.
In the middle period, the Camels closed the gap to 3-2 with a shorthanded goal. Dawson Luke led Boutet in for a one-on-one situation and the senior forward went to his backhand for his 21st career goal. Bowdoin responded just 31 seconds later as Ollie Koo buried his ninth goal of the season on the power play. But the hosts got one back with 8:48 remaining in the second. Michael Doyle dished the puck off to J.J. McGregor and the senior went top shelf at the near post for his 22nd collegiate goal. Bowdoin held a slim 11-to-10 shot advantage in the second period and carried the 4-3 lead into the second intermission.
With 11:46 remaining in regulation, Colin Downey made it a 5-3 game with the goal that proved to be the difference. Koo and Matheson assisted. Mattheson added an empty netter with 1:56 remaining to put Bowdoin on top 6-3. Curran got one back for the Camels with 47 seconds left but it was not enough and the visitors prevailed with the 6-4 final.
Next Saturday's quarterfinal between Bowdoin and Trinity will be the nightcap of a NESCAC Tournament doubleheader at Watson Arena. The Bowdoin and Williams women will play the opener at 1:00 p.m. before the Bowdoin and Trinity men at 4:00 p.m. One ticket will be good for both games with prices being $3 for adults, $1 for children under 18 and free for Bowdoin students with ID. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning in the Athletic Department office on the second floor of the Peter Buck Center.
