BRUNSWICK, Maine – The Wesleyan men's ice hockey team scored four third period goals to defeat host Bowdoin 5-3 on Friday night in Watson Arena.

The Polar Bears fall to 6-8-0 (3-6-0 NESCAC) and are still in search of their first January win. The Cardinals improve to 8-4-0 (4-3-0 NESCAC).

Game Highlights

• Despite being on the penalty kill, Bowdoin's best look of the first period came on a shorthanded breakaway by Cody Todesco eight minutes into play. The puck bounced off the boards in Bowdoin's own zone and out towards neutral ice where Todesco collected it. The sophomore broke through a Wesleyan defender to earn a one-on-one with goaltender Dawson Sprigings. Sprigings stood tall to deny Todesco.
• The Cardinals came out on the power play to open the second period. Spencer Fox earned a promising look in a two-on-goal and decided to take the shot from low in the left circle. Erik Wurman turned away the initial shot and continued to stonewall Fox as he tried to push the puck past on the near post.
• Wesleyan went up 1-0 midway through the period, capitalizing on a faceoff win. Following a draw in the left circle, Dylan Holze kicked the puck out to Tyler Wyatt who wristed a shot past Wurman.
• Bowdoin responded less than two minutes later to knot the game at 1-1. Christian Capello fought for possession in a scrum on the left, poking the puck to Matt Sullivan who found John-Alexander Kourkoulis streaking in on the far side. Kourkoulis connected with the up-ice cross to find the net for his first of the season.
• Kendal Culbertson tallied his first of the year 12:31 into the game with a one-timer from the high slot. Pat Geary and Camil Blanchet worked the left side of the ice, deep in Cardinal territory, and found Culbertson alone in the slot.
• Seconds after a Bowdoin penalty expired, Wesleyan evened the game with a deflected goal 6:02 into the third. Quincy Oujevolk fired off a slapshot from the left point into traffic. Rob Harbison tipped the puck as it came through the screen to even the game.
• Just a minute later, the Cardinals took their second lead of the game. Cam McCusker picked the puck off as Wurman went to play it. Sean Ross scored his team's third straight goal exactly six minutes after the run began. Tyler Wyatt fed Ross in the high slot, who teed up a shot and roofed the puck for a 4-2 lead.
• Kourkoulis pulled the Polar Bears within one with a shorthanded goal in the final three minutes.
• Fox iced the game with an empty netter in the final minute.

By the Numbers

• Wurman ended the day with 32 stops in net for Bowdoin.
• Sprigings made 26 saves to earn the win for Wesleyan.
• Both teams were unsuccessful on the power play. The Cardinals went 0-for-4 while the Polar Bears were 0-for-1.
• Bowdoin had one shorthanded tally.
• Wyatt lead both teams with three points behind a one goal, two assist evening.

Up Next

• Bowdoin hosts Trinity tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m.
• Wesleyan travels to Colby for a 3:00 p.m. start.