HAMILTON – The Colgate men's hockey program responded to Princeton's opening goal with a two-goal effort in the second period, but the Tigers were able to force overtime with a late goal in regulation. The ECAC Hockey foes featured a competitive overtime session, but skated to a 2-2 final on Friday night at Class of 1965 Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Colgate's penalty kill was tested early as its first came as Cosgrove was called for hooking. The Tigers were able to get onto the board with a classic tic-tac-toe power play goal to the top shelf for a one-goal lead. Although the Raiders flew down the ice on the breakout and had a scoring chance by
Colton Young, the Princeton netminder swiveled for the save making the one goal stand though 20:00.
In the start of the second period, Princeton was caught with extra men on the ice and the Raiders earned a quick power play that generated chances in the zone. It wouldn't be until the Tigers were served a slashing penalty midway through, that the Raiders would even the score at 1-1 behind Young's goal on the rebound. Shortly thereafter Colgate faced another kill of its own, but after returning its skater, was fueled by the success with dominant offense in the Tiger zone. The effort would pay off with a late period putaway by
Jared Cockrell for a 2-1 lead heading into the third.
The third period opened with swift play across the sheet, but goaltender
Mitch Benson was tested with more action as the session went on but continued to make big saves to keep Colgate ahead. Another opportunity for the Raiders came on a 3x2 as
Tyler Penner had a pickup on the rebound, but the puck was stopped in the gut of the goalie.
As the clock continued to tick down on regulation, chippy play resulted in 4x4 action. Princeton pulled its goalie and capitalized on the extra space on the ice with an extra attacker. With just 33.7 remaining in regulation, the Tigers were able to score to force overtime.
The five minutes of the extra session featured chances at either end, but the best came as
Bobby McMann spun around the defense and crossed a chance at the crease.
Ben Sharf looked for the finish but was stopped between the pads, and the clock would expire for the 2-2 overtime final.
COLGATE SCORING PLAYS
• Period 2 | 10:30 – On the Raiders second power play of the night, Panetta flew into the zone along the left boards before flittering across the goal line to the crease. After Panetta's initial shot, Young followed up out front with the rebound, tucking the puck under the blocker of the netminder to even the game at 1-1.
• Period 2 | 18:53 – Shortly after returning their man from a kill, Colgate crashed the Tiger zone. Austin took a shot from the point before the blocked shot ricocheted up to Young at the left point. Young's long shot was sent north, and redirected in the back door by Cockrell for a 2-1 lead.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• By scoring in back-to-back games, senior
Jared Cockrell extends to a three-game point streak. He now holds five points through the last five games.
• Behind a goal and an assist, freshman
Colton Young earned his third multi-point performance of the year. His goal tonight marks his team-leading fifth of the year, while the Calgary, Alberta, native now holds seven points through the last six games.
• With his hand in Young's tally, senior
Jacob Panetta picked his first apple of the year.
• Sophomore goaltender
Mitch Benson recorded his fifth performance of the season of 30 or more saves, including a game-high of 11 in the third period.
• Young's goal marked Colgate's first power play goal since the season opener against RIT (Oct. 5), snapping an 11-game draught.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 2, Princeton 2 – OT
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate holds a 3-6-4 record, and a 2-2-1 mark in ECAC Hockey action.
• Princeton is 1-3-3 overall on the season and is 2-2-1 in ECAC play.
HEAD COACH DON VAUGHAN'S TAKE
"We had a slow start, and I was disappointed with the way we came out in the first period. But we did respond after that, it started with some physical play.
Jack Hoey served up a couple of big hits and we generated some energy from that and found a way to get a lead. It's just disappointing to give it up late like that.
"It's good to see our power play get a goal, it's been a long time. It continues to be a work in progress. It always feels a bit tough when you lose a lead like that, but there was some good tonight. We some some good efforts out of different guys, but now we've got to reboot and get ready for a very good Quinnipiac team tomorrow.
"The line of Cockrell, Young, and Vachon has been playing really well for us.
Colton Young is a great player, he finds the puck and has poise with it. He almost scored again tonight on another power play, but he's playing very well for a first-year guy. Cockrell just does what he does with good acceleration, great speed, and he's really working well with those two young guys."
UP NEXT
Colgate continues ECAC Hockey action at home tomorrow, as it hosts Quinnipiac in a 7:30 p.m. puck drop. Be sure to bring a stuffed animal to donate, as they will be thrown in the second intermission for the annual Teddy Bear Toss, benefiting the local Toys for Tots.
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate men's hockey program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateMIH and Instagram at colgate_mih.
