The Middlebury Campus

Issue date: 3/9/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Athletic Communications Capturing their sixth NESCAC title in seven years, the men stride confidently toward Nationals.

It is likely that, at some point in the future, Middlebury will no longer be the driving force in NESCAC hockey. Then again, maybe not. After going undefeated in the conference this season, the men's hockey team achieved its first goal of the post-season, cruising through the NESCAC tournament for Middlebury's third straight conference championship.

The first step toward the title was in the semi-finals against Hamilton last Friday night. After taking down the Continentals 5-2 only two weeks before, the Panthers were prepared for another hotly contested match -up. This was not to be, however, as Middlebury steamrolled the hapless Continentals all night. Mickey Gilchrist '08 started off the goal-fest just 1:14 into the game. Gilchrist, recently named First-Team All NESCAC along with captain Jeff Smith '06, stepped into the slot and wristed a backhand home, the first in a record-tying five tournament goals. Brett Shirreffs '07 added to the lead just 2:28 later, putting away a rebound on the powerplay. The Panthers took advantage of another Continental penalty when Kyle Koziara scored from the point at 8:05. Hamilton would strike back against Middlebury netminder Ross Cherry '08 just before the end of the first period, keeping the game tight going into the second.

It would not, however, remain tight for very long. The Panthers found their legs in the second frame, pouring on five unanswered goals. In the first three minutes of the period, Ritchie Fuld '07 scored twice in 11 seconds and the Panthers never looked back. Second period scores by Justin Gaines '08, John Sales '07 and Tom Maldonado '08 sent much of the crowd to an early exit.

With the game already well in hand, the two teams traded goals in the third period, including a short-handed tally by Sam Driver '08. The 9-2 final made a winner of Cherry, who played a sensational game, making 21 saves in all.

While the score may have been closer, the Panthers were almost as dominant in the finals last Saturday against a Bowdoin squad that had taken down Trinity 3-1 the night before. The referees kept their whistles busy in the first period, but, despite several powerplays, both teams had trouble scoring early. Sales broke that streak, however, putting Middlebury ahead with a spinning wrist shot at 14:09. Middlebury's defense was absolutely stifling, giving Cherry plenty of time to sit back and relax while keeping the Polar Bears to just one shot in the first period despite three Bowdoin powerplays. This set the trend for the evening, as Bowdoin would end up 0/6 with the man advantage. These results did not go unnoticed by Smith, Middlebury's top defender. "We were a little shaky on defense not too long ago," recalls Smith, who was named NESCAC Player of the Week on March 5, "but I think we've figured it out and I think it's our defense/goaltending that is going to make the difference over the next few games - which is similar to all Middlebury hockey teams."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools