HAMILTON – Senior Joe Wilson celebrated his 23rd birthday in style by scoring the game-winning goal early in the second period to lead No. 20 Colgate to a 2-0 victory over Princeton in ECAC Hockey action Friday at Starr Rink.
Wilson scored the eventual game winner 53 seconds into the middle frame and sophomore goaltender Charlie Finn made it stand up, recording 19 saves for his NCAA-leading fifth shutout of the season. Junior Darcy Murphy added an insurance marker on an empty-net tally with 12 seconds remaining to determine the final margin.
Bottom Line
No. 20 Colgate, 2, Princeton 0
Won-Lost Records
– No. 20 Colgate improved 15-9-3 overall and 7-5-3 in ECAC Hockey action as it completed a season sweep of the Tigers.
– Princeton slipped to 3-16-2 on the season and 1-13-1 in league play with the setback.
How It Happened
– Following a scoreless first period, Wilson notched the decisive tally just 53 seconds into the second period when he deflected a point shot from sophomore Anthony past Princeton keeper Colton Phinney for his eighth goal of the season. Junior Tylor Spink was credited with a secondary assist on the goal.
– The score would remain 1-0 in favor of the Raiders until the finals seconds of the contest. After Princeton was called for hooking with 15 seconds remaining, the Tigers pulled their goalie. On the ensuing faceoff in the Princeton zone, junior Mike Borkowski won the faceoff to Murphy, who snapped a shot into the open cage for his sixth goal of the season.
Inside The Box Score
– Colgate out-shot Princeton, 36-19, in the contest. The Raiders held the shot advantage in all three periods, highlighted by a 14-6 margin in the first.
– The Raiders were 1-for-3 on the power play while the Tigers were 0-for-2 with the man advantage.
– Colgate held a 35-18 advantage in the faceoff circle during the contest. Tylor Spink was 10-of-15 at the dot to lead the Raiders.
– The Raiders hit the post three times in the contest, including twice during the same shift in the second period.
– Murphy and senior John Lidgett led the Raiders with four shots each wile Tom Kroshus and Kyle Rankin paced Princeton with three shots apiece.
‘gate One Timers
– Colgate improved to 12-3-0 when scoring first this season.
– The Raiders moved to 12-2-0 in 2014-15 and 32-2-5 since the start of the 2012-13 season when leading after two periods.
– Colgate improved to 10-0-0 this season when holding opponents to one goal or less.
– The Raiders moved to 10-2-2 on the year when out-shooting their opponent.
– Colgate improved to 10-3-2 when attempting 30 or more shots in a game.
– The Raiders upped their mark to 11-3-1 this season when scoring a power play goal.
Key Raider Info
– Wilson matched sophomore Tim Harrison for the team lead in game-winning goals as he notched his third decisive marker of the season.
– Sanniti picked up his first career point with the primary assist on Wilson’s game-winning goal in the second period.
– Senior Daniel Gentlzer and junior Tyson Spink both played their 100th game in a Colgate uniform on Friday. They are the third and fourth Raiders to hit the century mark for career games played during the 2014-15 season, joining Kevin Lough and Kyle Baun.
Finn Moves Up Colgate Season, Career Shutout Charts
– With his fifth shutout of the season, sophomore Charlie Finn moved into a tie with Shep Harder (1999-2000) and Steve Silverthorn (2004-05) for second place on Colgate’s single-season shutout list.
– Finn also matched Harder (1997-2000) and Jeff Cooper (1981-85) for third place on the program’s career shutout chart as tonight’s victory was the sixth clean sheet of his 55-game career.
Borkowski Back In Lineup
– Junior forward Mike Borkowski returned to the lineup Friday after missing 17 games.
– It was originally believed that Borkowski would miss the remainder of the 2014-15 season due to an injury suffered against Quinnipiac on Nov. 9. He was cleared to return to lineup by team doctors earlier this week.
Up Next
– Colgate returns to action Saturday when it hosts No. 16 Quinnipiac in a 7 p.m. contest.
– The game will be televised regionally on Time Warner Cable Sports.
– Tickets are available by calling 315-228-7600 or by visiting Bleedcolgatemaroon.com.
