BOSTON, Ma. — The Elmira College men’s ice hockey team scored goals in the first, second and third periods to take a 3-1 victory over Connecticut College in the first round of the Boston Landing Collegiate Invitational on Friday afternoon at the Warrior Ice Arena in Boston, Massachusetts. The Purple and Gold advance to Saturday’s title game, where they will face the winner of the Nichols and St. Thomas tilt that will be played later tonight.
Although EC hit the ice for the first time in exactly a month, the Soaring Eagles showed little signs of rust, as they took a 1-0 lead just 3:11 into the opening period. After winning a faceoff in the defensive zone, Elmira advanced the puck into the neutral zone in front of the Connecticut bench. After a collision along the boards, Chris Moses ’19 gathered the loose puck at the blue line and skated into the left corner. From the left faceoff circle, Moses backhanded a bad-angle shot towards Camels goalie Connor Rodericks and the puck found just enough room inside the near post to give the Soaring Eagles a lead they never relinquished.
EC’s top line of Connor Powell ’20, Matthew Cuce ’20 and Nick Ford ’20 combined for a goal in the second period, doubling the lead to 2-0. Ford earned the secondary assist by feeding the puck to Cuce, who, from the right faceoff circle, found Powell camped in front of the crease with a quick pass. The second-year forward from Merrimack, New Hampshire, had an open look at the backside of the net and deposited his sixth goal of the season at the 8:25 mark of the second stanza.
Connecticut began to swing momentum in its favor at the start of the third period. After killing an Elmira power play that carried over into the third, Jacob Moreau slapped a shot towards EC netminder Gennaro Anzevino ’21. Although Anzevino made the initial stop, Ryan Petti was there to shovel the rebound into the back of the net, cutting the Soaring Eagles’ lead in half, 2-1.
Two-and-a-half minutes later, third-year defenseman Blake O’Neill ’19 added an insurance goal with a long wrister from the high slot. It appeared as though Rodericks had stopped the harmless-looking shot, but the sophomore wasn’t able to smother the puck, which snuck through his pads and put the Soaring Eagles up by two, 3-1.
Anzevino and the Elmira defense were able to preserve the two-goal cushion for the remainder of the contest. The rookie goalie made 10 of his 26 saves in the third period, including several in the final minutes after Rodericks was subbed off the ice to give the Camels an extra attacker.
In His Own Words…
Head Coach Aaron Saul ’98 shares his thoughts on Elmira’s win tonight…
“It was a good win coming off of the long holiday break. I thought we took over the game in the second period with our strong offensive play.”
Coach Saul talks about the EC’s offensive success against the Camels…
“I thought our offense was working well because we were cycling well throughout the game and all lines were competing hard on the puck.”
Coach Saul shares his thoughts the success that Ford, Powell and Cuce have had this season…
“They all have chemistry together. This chemistry has been built since they have been playing together for their entire careers.”
News and Notes
With the win today, Elmira’s record (7-6-1) improves to above .500 for the first time since it began the season 1-0-0.
EC raised its advantage in the all-time series against the Camels to 5-1-0
Elmira’s first line of Powell, Ford and Cuce have each tallied one point in each of the last four games.
Ford extended his point streak to a six consecutive games (6g-3a-9p).
Powell has also logged at least one point in each of Elmira’s last six bouts (3g-10a-13p).
Cuce has tallied at least one point in four straight contests (2g-4a-6p).
O’Neill’s tally was his third of the season, which paces all EC defenders.
Moses’ goal was the third of his junior campaign.
Anthony Mangano ’21 was credited with an assist on O’Neill’s goal in the third period, the first of his collegiate career.
Brent Lafayette ’19 earned the primary assist on Moses’ goal, which is the first point of his junior season.
Anzevino made 26 saves to earn his team-leading fourth win of the season.
Up Next
The Elmira men will challenge the winner of the Nichols and St. Thomas bout that takes place later today for the championship of the Boston Landing Collegiate Invitational on Saturday, January 6. Puck-drop of the title game is scheduled for 5:15 at the Warrior Ice Arena.
