Middlebury wrapped up its regular season with a 5-2 win over Hamilton. The Panthers have earned the second seed in the NESCAC Tournament and will host seventh-seeded Williams next Saturday at 4:00 in a quarterfinal contest. Colby has earned the top spot and will have home ice as far as they advance.
Hamilton took a 1-0 lead at 12:49 of the first period with Chris Lorenc snipped a shot into the back of the net from the right face-off circle. Charlie Townsend answered for Middlebury at 17:38 as he scored on a similar shot from the left face-off circle.
Middlebury took a 2-1 lead 6:59 into the second period with a power play goal. Michael Kretchmer fed Scott Bartlett, who scored from the right side. Ross Cherry kept it a one goal lead for Middlebury, as he stacked the pads for a beautiful save on Zach Pych at the nine-minute mark. The Panthers had a great chance at 12:30, but Bryan Curran's shot hit the left pipe. Middlebury broke through at 13:53 as Tom Maldonado took a feed from Robert MacIntyre and scored with a shot from the left point that deflected in off a defender.
Shortly after MacIntyre hit a pipe, Ken Suchoski scored to make it a 4-1 Panther lead 9:41 into the third period. Hamilton answered with a shortie at 12:10 as Travis Blood found the back of the net. Bartlett ended the scoring with 1:50 remaining with his second power play of the game.
Ross Cherry ended the day with 16 saves for Middlebury, while Ian Sterns made 33 stops for the Continentals.
Date: February 23, 2008 - 4:00 p.m.
Venue: Kenyon Arena - Site: Middlebury, Vt.
TEAM 1 2 3 OT F
Hamilton (5-18-1) 1 0 1 - 2
Middlebury (16-6-2) 1 2 2 - 5
SCORING
H-1st (12:49) - Chris Lorenc (Tom Chiappetta)
M-1st (17:38) - Charlie Townsend (Ian Drummond, Mason Graddock)
M-2nd (6:59) - PP: Scott Bartlett (Michael Kretchmer)
M-2nd (13:53) - Tom Maldonado (Robert MacIntyre, Bartlett)
M-3rd (9:41) - Ken Suchoski (Bartlett, Leonard Badeau)
H-3rd (12:10) - SH: Travis Blood (Jake Davis)
M-3rd (18:10) - PP: Bartlett (John Sullivan, Bryan Curran)
GOALTENDING (saves)
Ross Cherry-M (60 min., 16 saves, 2 GA)
Cole Anderson-A (60 min., 33 saves, 5 GA)
