Connecticut College Drops Two Hockey Games

The Connecticut College hockey teams came up short in games against Colby College and Williams College on Saturday. The following information was provided by William Tomasian, sports information director at Connecticut College:

Men's Ice Hockey: Colby 3, Conn College 2

Senior forward Michael Doherty (Lynnfield, Mass.) scored with 4:04 remaining in regulation to lift the Colby College men's hockey team to a 3-2 victory at Connecticut College Friday night.

The Mules (7-14-1, 4-12-1 NESCAC), who were buried in last place with just four points a week ago will carry a three game unbeaten streak into Malden, Mass. against Tufts University Saturday with a chance to qualify for the 2012 the NESCAC Championship Tournament. With one home game remaining against Bowdoin, the Camels (6-14-4, 4-11-2) remain tied with idle Hamilton in eighth place with 10 points. The top eight teams in the league will compete in the 2012 NESCAC Championship Tournament, with the top four seeds hosting quarterfinal match ups on Feb. 25.

Doherty finished with a goal and an assist for Colby. Nils Martin (Potomac, Md.) and Cory McGrath (Yarmouthport, Mass.) chipped in with scores for the visitors. Junior net-minder Matt Delaney (Houston, Tex.) stopped 34 of 36 shots in the victory.

Connecticut College senior Chris Fogg (East Sandwich, Mass.) had a goal and an assist in the setback. Sophomore Mike Sinsigalli (Wilton, Conn.) scored his 10th goal of the season for the hosts. Sophomore Mike Petchonka (Ridgefield, Conn.) made 26 saves in goal for the Camels.

The Camels controlled play for the majority of the third period but Delaney kept the visitors in contention with 10 clutch stops. The hosts were held scoreless on five power plays in the contest.

With 13:50 remaining, Martin broke free down the right side for his fourth goal of the season in transition. The Mules skated off the fifth Camel power play midway through the third and Doherty put the visitors on top for good when he took a pass from Nate Morgan (Hamilton, Mas) and found the back of the net with his 12th goal of the year.

The Camels pulled Petchonka with 50 seconds left but the Mule defense clamped down and the visitors were able to hold on for the 3-2 win.

In the middle period, the Camels grabbed a 2-1 advantage. With 2:58 elapsed in the second, Chris Fogg buried a slap shot from the left point to even things up at one. Adam Patel (Alpharetta, Ga.) and Will Einstein (New Canaan, Conn.) assisted on the score. Later on with 5:40 remaining in the second, Mike Sinsigalli buried a low slap shot from the left circle to put the hosts on top 2-1. Fogg and Sean Curran (Wilmette, Ill.) assisted on the marker and the Camels carried the 2-1 lead into the second intermission.

The Mules jumped out on top with 9:15 remaining in the opening period. Just after the Camels were assessed with a five minute major, the Mules won a faceoff at the left circle and junior forward Cory McGrath found an opening in the upper right portion of the netting to make it a 1-0 game. Michael Doherty and Dan Nelson (Northbrook, Ill.) assisted on the power play goal.

With three minutes left in the first, senior Julien Boutet (Amos, Quebec) took a nice lead pass from Sean Murray (Stamford, Conn.) but Delaney was able to make the save and the visitors carried the 1-0 lead into the break.

Both teams will play their regular season finales Saturday. Colby will visit Tufts University for a 4:15 p.m. game in Malden, Mass. The Camels will host Bowdoin College for a 3:00 p.m. game in New London, Conn.