BRUNSWICK, Maine – The Bowdoin men's ice hockey team came back from a three goal deficit to defeat visiting Wesleyan 4-3 on Saturday evening in Watson Arena.

The Polar Bears split their weekend slate to improve to 8-4-2 (4-4-2 NESCAC). The Cardinals go 0-2 in their trip to Maine and sit at 2-12-0 (1-7-0 NESCAC).

Wesleyan tallied its first goal of the contest 6:39 into play, followed two minutes later by its second off the power play. The Cardinals got it started converting on a turnover behind Bowdoin's net, with Jaren Taenaka wristing a shot top right corner to best Max Fenkell. The man-up goal came off the stick of Quincy Oujevolk who screened Fenkell and deflected a shot by Robby Harbison at the point. Wesleyan put away its third goal of the period with 3:28 remaining off a spinning diving play by Oujevolk. Racing a Bowdoin defender down the right wing, Oujevolk spun himself into the slot and slipped a shot past Fenkell as he dove to the ice. 

Peter Cronin kept the Polar Bears in the game throughout the second period, coming up with several big saves to keep the score close. Stepping out of the box, Terence Durkin skated into Bowdoin territory and collected a free puck for an open look at net. The junior forward's shot hit Cronin square in the numbers, and Wesleyan was denied the one on one goal. The Bowdoin offense came alive in the final minutes of the frame, sustaining pressure and ultimately finding the back of the net with 3:33 remaining. Brendan Conroy fired a shot through traffic from the right point and watched the puck rattle around before besting Dawson Sprigings. Kendall Culbertson looked to cut the lead even further as he flipped the puck up from the left post, but Sprigings made a cross body glove save to deny the sophomore.

Bowdoin cut Wesleyan's lead to one with a second goal 5:33 into the final frame. Ryan Collier passed up to Mitch Barrington from deep in Cardinal territory. Waiting just inside the blue line, Barrington ripped a one-timer that Tim Coffey deflected past Sprigings. Coffey tied the game with his second goal five minutes later, stuffing in his own rebound off the pads. Bowdoin took its only lead of the night just 19 seconds later from Matthew Melanson. Receiving the flat pass from Matt Sullivan skating down the right side, Melanson wristed the puck high in the slot and gave Bowdoin the lead and win.

Fenkell started in net for Bowdoin and made nine saves before being relieved by Cronin who played 43:28 minutes of shutout hockey with 21 saves. Sprigings made 25 saves for Wesleyan.

Bowdoin returns to home ice for a Tuesday night game against University of New England at 7:00 p.m. The Cardinals host Tufts next Friday at 7:00 p.m.