The three-time defending NCAA Champions from Middlebury opened up their 2006-07 season with a 6-2 win over Tufts. The game was played in front of a crowd of 2,045 on hand for opening night at Kenyon Arena.
After 14:42 of scoreless action, Middlebury exploded for three goals in the next 3:18, including a pair in 26 seconds. Ryan Seavy opened the scoring with a five-on-three power play goal as he finished after a Tom Maldonado shot was saved. Brett Shirreffs scored a power play tally with a snap from the left side, before Mac Cummins converted a feed from Darwin Hunt for a 3-0 lead.
Mickey Gilchrist made it a 4-0 game 10:01 into the second period as he put home his own rebound. Mason Graddock scored a shorthanded tally to end the second period scoring, leaving the Panthers with a 5-0 lead.
Tufts got on the board midway through the final period as Brian Bailey went top shelf after a nice feed from Kurt Hertzog for a power play goal. The Jumbos struck again with a shorthanded tally at 15:25 as Brian Bailey snapped a shot to the top right corner on a breakaway. Kyle Koziara ended the scoring for Middlebury as he scored on the power play with nice passing from Gilchrist and Seavy.
Doug Raeder made 16 saves in goal to earn the win, while Issa Azat made 36 in a losing effort.
Date: November 17, 2006 - 7:00 p.m
Venue: Kenyon Arena - Site: Middlebury, Vt.
TEAM 1 2 3 OT F
Tufts (0-1) 0 0 2 - 2
Middlebury (1-0) 3 2 1 - 6
SCORING
M-1st (14:43) - 5on3: Ryan Seavy (Tom Maldonado, Charlie Townsend)
M-1st (17:35) - PP: Brett Shirreffs (Evgeny Saidachev, Richie Fuld)
M-1st (18:01) - Mack Cummins (Darwin Hunt, Jed McDonald)
M-2nd (10:01) - Mickey Gilchrist (Jamie McKenna, Maldonado)
M-2nd (10:28) - SH: Mason Graddock (Hunt)
T-3rd (10:30) - PP: Ross Gimbel (Kurt Hertzog, Joe Milo)
T-3rd (15:25) - SH: Brian Bailey (Jonathan Kestner)
M-3rd (18:21) - PP: Kyle Koziara (Gilchrist, Ryan Seavy)
GOALTENDING (saves)
Doug Raeder-M (60 min., 16 saves, 2 GA)
Issa Azat-T (60 min., 36 saves, 6 GA)
