BRUNSWICK, Maine – The Bowdoin College men's ice hockey team will play Curry College at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Bowdoin (15-9-3) vs. Curry (21-5-1)
Location: Canton Ice House
Live Webcast: https://www.curryathletics.com/streaming
Live Statistics: https://www.curryathletics.com/sports/mice/2022-23/boxscores/20230311_cckd.xml
 
TICKET INFORMATION
Cash-only sales at the door; $6 for adults / $4 for students/children
 
ABOUT THE POLAR BEARS
Bowdoin became the first seventh seed in NESCAC men's ice hockey history to win the conference title, defeating Williams in overtime on a Bobby Pearl game-winner last Sunday. The win capped a serendipitous Polar Bears stretch for the team, which was unranked all season and did not have a single player earn All-NESCAC honors in conference awards. Under the direction of first-year head coach Ben Guite, the Polar Bears have thrived down the stretch, however, and have won four straight games for the first time since late December/early January. Offensive contributions have come from all over the ice, with nine different players recording double digits in points this season, spearheaded by Andy Stoneman's 10 goals and 15 assists, leading the team in both categories. The constant all year has been goaltender Alex Kozic, who has posted a 2.29 GAA and .923 save percentage this season, and went 3-0-0 with a 1.27 GAA and .966 save percentage in the NESCAC Tournament. Head Coach Ben Guite led Bowdoin to the NESCAC crown in his first year as head coach, joining Bowdoin graduate Dave Cataruzolo '98 as the only rookie coaches to win the NESCAC Championship in their debut season (2008 with Trinity). This will be Bowdoin's seventh NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2014. The Polar Bears are looking for their third NCAA Quarterfinal appearance.
 
SCOUTING THE COLONELS
Curry lost the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship Game to Endicott, 6-0, on March 4 in their last contest. The Colonels earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament thanks to a 21-5-1 overall mark and enter championship play ranked seventh in the final Division III national poll. Curry ranks among the nation's best at 4.2 goals per game this season and their stingy defense, led by goaltender Reid Cooper, allows 1.95 goals per contest this season. Mark Zhukov leads Curry with 36 points (12-24) this year while Timmy Kent and Gage Dill are tied for the team lead with 15 goals. The Colonels are lethal on the power play, ranking fourth in the nation with a 28% power play percentage this year. The Colonels last made the NCAA Tournament in 2011 and this is the fifth all-time NCAA Tournament appearance for the program.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Bowdoin leads the all-time series between the teams, 3-1, but the programs have not played since 2010.
 
COMMON OPPONENTS
Both teams defeated UMass Boston in the first semester and both also defeated Suffolk after winter break. Curry beat Trinity at Norwich, 4-3, on December 30. Bowdoin lost both of its regular season meetings with Trinity before knocking off the Bantams in the conference quarterfinals two weeks ago, 2-1.
 
UP NEXT
The winner of Saturday's first round game will advance to the national quarterfinals next Saturday, March 18 at Hobart.