Middlebury picked up a 4-3 win over Connecticut College in the season-opener for both teams. The Panthers trailed 2-1 before scoring three goals to take a 4-2 advantage, as they out shot the Camels 14-5 in the third period and 33-22 on the night.
Middlebury opened the scoring 9:05 into the first period as John Sullivan's shot found the back of the net off a defender's skate for a power play goal. The Camels tied the game just 1:24 later as Sean Driscoll won a face-off to Brett Moore, who quickly snapped a shot past Middlebury rookie netminder John Yanchek. Connecticut College took a 2-1 lead into the intermission with a power play goal with just 16 seconds remaining. Trevor Bradley carried the puck around the back of the net and quickly found Ryan Riffe on the far post, who buried the shot.
The Panthers tied the game just 2:53 into the second period as Sullivan netted his second of the game, tipping in a shot by Michael Kretchmer on the power play. Yanchek kept it a 2-2 game at the 6:00 mark with a great save on Brian Liamero during a five-on-three power play for the Camels.
Mason Graddock gave Middlebury its first lead of the night at 2:01 as he scored on the power play after several shots. The Panthers gained some breathing room with a five-on-three power play tally by Jamie McKenna with some nice passing from Chaz Svoboda and Michael Kretschmer. Connecticut College cut the lead to one with a power play tally at 11:02 as Trevor Bradley found Riffe for his second goal of the game.
Yanchek ended the game with 19 saves in his collegiate debut, while Greg Parker made 28 saves for the Camels.
Date: November 21, 2008 - 7:00 p.m.
Venue: Kenyon Arena - Site: Middlebury, Vt.
TEAM 1 2 3 OT F
Conn. College (0-1) 2 0 1 - 3
Middlebury (1-0) 1 1 2 - 4
SCORING
M-1st (9:05) - PP: John Sullivan (Ken Suchoski, Jamie McKenna)
C-1st (10:29) - Brett Moore (Sean Driscoll)
C-1st (19:44) - PP: Ryan Riffe (Trevor Bradley, Ryan Joyce)
M-2nd (2:53) - Sullivan (Michael Kretschmer, Chaz Svoboda)
M-3rd (2:01) - PP: Mason Graddock (Suchoski)
M-3rd (5:52) - 5on3: Jamie McKenna (Svoboda, Kretschmer)
C-3rd (11:02) - PP: Riffe (Bradley, Sean Tuohy)
GOALTENDING (saves)
John Yanchek-M (60 min., 19 saves, 3 GA)
Greg Parker-C (59:40 min., 28 saves, 4 GA)
