HAMILTON - Simon Labelle scored 42 seconds into overtime to help power Colgate past Yale, 4-3, at Class of 1965 Arena on Friday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first period began with the Yale ice hockey team taking an early lead just 13 seconds into play, as Ronan O'Donnell scored with assistance from Micah Berger. Despite the quick goal, Colgate responded by maintaining consistent offensive pressure, with multiple attempts from Easton Wainwright, Owen Neuharth, and Simon Labelle forcing saves from the Bulldogs' Noah Pak.
Colgate equalized the score at 5:01 remaining in the period when Ryan Spinale capitalized on a power-play opportunity, assisted by Labelle and Ryan Sullivan. The period closed with the score tied 1-1.
Colgate opened the second period with a power-play goal from Labelle, assisted by Isaiah Norlin and Sullivan, at 18:54, pulling ahead 2-1. The Bulldogs quickly responded with an even-strength goal by Donovan Frias, leveling the score at 2-2 shortly thereafter.
The Bulldogs then capitalized on a power play, with O'Donnell scoring at 13:25, assisted by David Chen and David Andreychuk, giving them a 3-2 lead. Despite multiple shots from Colgate, including a shot that hit the pipe by Niko Rexine, the period concluded with Colgate trailing 3-2.
Colgate opened the third period with an aggressive offensive stance, taking several shots early, but Pak kept the Bulldogs in the game with key saves. The turning point came at 14:43, when Daniel Panetta scored a short-handed goal assisted by Neuharth, tying the score at three apiece. The Raiders finished the period with late pressure but the third period closed knotted at three and headed to overtime.
Colgate secured a decisive victory in overtime as Labelle scored the game-winning goal just 42 seconds into the extra frame. The play was set up by Jacob Napier, with Michael Neumeier also on the ice for the deciding moment.
GAME NOTES
- Simon Labelle scored his second career overtime game winner. His last came in a 4-3 win over Dartmouth on Jan. 26, 2024.
- Colgate improves to 8-5-7 in overtime against Yale and the Raiders now lead the all time series 58-57-7.
- Labelle's last two goal performance came against Princeton in a 6-3 win on Nov. 17, 2023.
- Daniel Panetta scored Colgate's first short-handed goal of the season and first since B. Raymond netted a shorty against Union on March 1, 2025.
- The overtime win is Colgate's first since Nov. 23, 2024 against Quinnipiac by a 3-2 decision.
UP NEXT
The Raiders (3-7-1, 1-2-0 ECAC) take on Brown at home on Saturday. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at Class of 1965 Arena.
