MALDEN - Freshman Tyler Voigt (Rochester, MN) scored a hat trick, including the game-winning goal with 18 seconds remaining in overtime, as the Tufts men's hockey team came from behind to defeat Wesleyan, 5-4, in a NESCAC game on Sunday afternoon.
Voigt and linemate Dylan Plimmer (Phoeniz, AZ) were in synch all afternoon, combining on four of Tufts' five goals. Plimmer's goal assisted by Voigt and freshman defenseman Blake Edwards (Columbus, OH) had tied the scored at 4-4 with 3:21 left in the third period.
Tufts, which improved to 7-7-1 overall and 5-5 in the conference, scored four power-play goals in the game. The overtime game was the fourth for Tufts this season, and they are now 2-1-1 in those contests. Wesleyan (9-6-1, 4-5-1 NESCAC) dropped to 2-3-1 in six overtime games this season.
The Jumbos came out of the first period with a 2-1 lead, as both goals were scored by Voigt. He opened the scoring at 11:23 on a power-play and later scored with 16 seconds remaining in the period. Those goals were sandwiched around Wesleyan sophomore Nik Tasiopoulos' (Norwell, MA) 14th goal of the year at 12:27.
The teams traded goals in the second period. Jumbo senior tri-captain Matt Amico (Buffalo, NY) scored for the second time in as many nights on a power-play at 10:27 to put the hosts up 3-1. However, sophomore Keith Buehler (Skaneateles, NY) tallied his 11th goal at 14:03 to pull Wesleyan within 3-2 heading into the third.
The Cardinals jumped over the Jumbos with two quick goals in the third. Junior John Guay (North Scituate, RI) scored on a power-play at 8:22 to tie the score 3-3, then senior assistant captain Geoff Mucha (West Chester, PA) netted an unassisted goal just 13 seconds later and Wesleyan was up 4-3.
However, penalties would cost Wesleyan in the end. Plimmer's man-advantage goal at 16:39 of the third tied it 4-4 for Tufts. Into overtime, Wesleyan was whistled for too many men on the ice with 39 seconds left. Voigt made it count for the Jumbos, winning it and recording his first career hat trick with 18 seconds on the clock.
Voigt added an assist for a four-point night. Plimmer finished with three assists and a goal for a four-pointer as well. Sophomore Kyle Gallegos (Westminster, CO) had two assists for the Jumbos. Tufts senior goalie Scott Barchard (Reading, MA) totaled 40 saves in the game, including 13 in the third period and all five shots he faced in overtime.
Wesleyan spread its scoring around, with only Tasiopoulos recording multiple points with a goal and an assist. Junior goalie Matt Hadge (Canton, MA) made 37 saves, including 12 in the second period. The visitors had a 44-42 advantage in shots, but could capitalize on only one of six power-play chances.
Tufts hits the road for NESCAC play next weekend, starting at Williams on Friday night. Wesleyan next hosts Amherst on Saturday at 7 pm.
Game boxscoore
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