Athletics News

Amherst 3, Connecticut College 2 OT Dramatic Camel Comeback Falls Just Short

March 01, 2008

AMHERST, Mass.--Ben Eischen tallied the equalizer with 8:39 remaining in regulation forcing overtime at Orr Rink Saturday, but Amherst (14-8-3) was able to pull out a 3-2 victory in the extra session. The Camels had overcome a 2-0 deficit to force the overtime. Connecticut College completes their season with a 9-13-3 record. The Camels finished 9-8-2 in league play, earning their first winning season in NESCAC action.

Amherst tallied a pair of power-play goals in a span of 3:45 to build a 2-0 lead in the first period. Keith Nelson put in his seventh goal of the season with 5:17 remaining in the period and the Lord Jeff had a 1-0 lead. With 1:32 to play in the first, Andrew Schremp scored in a 6-on-4 situation. Gregg Adamo and Shane Lennox assisted and the Lord Jeffs carried a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

With 1:35 remaining in the second period, Ryan Howarth provided a huge lift for the Camels with his seventh goal of the season. Howarth put the shot on goal from a tough angle near the corner but was able to find the back of the net and suddenly the Camels were within one in a 2-1 game. The goal was not credited as a power play score but the Amherst penalty had just expired as the puck went into the net.

The Camels continued to pressure in the third, out-shooting the hosts 13-to-7 in the period. With 8:39 to play, Eischen tied the game with a blast from the point. Ryan Riffe and Rob Campbell assisted on the score. The Camels continued to mount pressure in the closing moments of the third on the power play but the game remained tied at two at the end of regulation.

The Camels gained the Amherst zone in the early moments of the overtime, but the Lord Jeffs were able to break out in an odd man rush. Rylan Burns fed Michael McIntosh who was able to bury the game-winner for the hosts at the 2:07 mark.

Cole Anderson finished with 32 saves for Amherst. Sophomore Greg Parker stopped 35 shots for the Camels.

Saturday's boxscore is available online at the College Hockeystats web site.

For more information contact: William Tomasian (860) 439-2501; william.tomasian@conncoll.edu