Sports
M. Hockey scores 10 goals in two wins
By Henry Shuldiner ’19
December 3, 2015
The men’s ice hockey team is off to a solid start for the season. After losing its first matchup against Amherst 3-1 on Nov. 20, the team bounced back the next day with a 5-0 win against Franklin Pierce. Robbie Murden ’17 netted two goals for the Continentals and notched two assists while Neil Conway ’18 scored once and assisted twice. Brandon Willett ’18 and Rory Gagnon ’19 each provided a goal of their own to close out the victory. Hamilton goaltender Evan Buitenhuis ’18 racked up 22 saves and earned himself his second career shutout in the win.
The Continentals then turned their attention to SUNY Canton who they played in a home-and-home weekend series on Nov. 27 and 28. Hamilton played with an impressive intensity on the defensive side and fielded a goal-hungry offense, which netted another five goals. Xavier Morin ’17 and Scott Vazquez ’16 both scored and assisted once, and Conor Lamberti ’17 and Gagnon both assisted on two goals. Jon Stickel ’19, T.J. Daigler ’18 and Willett provided the other three goals respectively, putting the Continentals in a comfortable position to solidify the victory.
“We bring back a lot of experience which has made for a smooth start,” commented Head Coach Rob Haberbusch. “We’re very pleased to be getting scoring from a number of different lines which really bodes well for the season.”
Buitenhuis registered 20 saves on the night, which lowered his goals-against average to 1.33, ranking him ninth in the nation for Division III Men’s Ice Hockey. Additionally, Buitenhuis has improved to 11th in save percentage, stopping 94.8 percent of the shots he has faced so far this season.
The following night would prove more difficult for the Continentals as they travelled to Canton, New York for their second game of the weekend. The Kangaroos started strong, penetrating the Hamilton defense and scoring the first goal 13-and-a-half minutes into the first period. The Continentals countered,five minutes later in the period, however, when Jason Brochu ‘19 scored his first goal of the season. Canton would again infiltrate Hamilton’s back line for a second goal about eight minutes into the second period, but Hamilton was not done yet.
With three and a half minutes left in the second period, Tyler Bruneteau ’18 netted his first goal of the season to level the score up at 2-2. In addition to scoring, both Brochu and Bruneteau assisted on each other’s goals. With 73 seconds left in the final period, Canton would find the back of Hamilton’s net one more time in a heartbreaking turn of events, and go up one to close out the game.
“We got off to a slow start in the second Canton game and it cost us,” said Haberbusch. “Fortunately, it was a non-conference game and we were able to learn some lessons that will make us a better team going forward.”
Tim Nowacki ’18 made 29 saves in his first appearance of this campaign. Hamilton’s penalty killing unit was dominant, not allowing a goal on any of Canton’s three power plays. Overall, Hamilton has only allowed one power-play goal in 17 attempts, a 93.8 percent efficiency rating, ranking them eighth nationally.
The team’s next match is the annual Citrus Bowl versus Trinity at Sage Rink on Saturday at 7 p.m., followed by another conference match against Wesleyan on Saturday. The team will look to get on the board early and will be counting on a strong defensive performance in order to tally victories in the two upcoming NESCAC fixtures.