MALDEN - The Tufts University men's hockey team launched 40 shots on goal but could only find the twine twice, falling to Colby College 5-2 in NESCAC action at Valley Forum II on Saturday night.
From the puck-drop, the two teams picked up the physical play and never let back for the entirety.
Colby broke the ice less than three minutes into the contest when sophomore Nate Morgan (Hamilton, MA) sent a quick, low wrister from the top of the circle passed the screened Tufts goalie, junior Brian Phillips (Colleyville, TX), and in, for a 1-0 lead with 17:52 showing.
Both teams played strong defensively, but the Mules pressured the conservative breakout from Tufts all game, making it difficult for the Jumbos to get anything going offensively, especially early.
With 10:18 to play, Colby struck again on a three-on-one break. A Tufts defenseman made an ill-timed pinch on the offensive boards, and the puck was chipped out to breaking junior Ben Chwick (Purchase, NY). Chwick took it over the Jumbo blue line and slid a cross-crease pass to senior Nick Kondlles (Lake Forest, IL), who tapped it home for the 2-0 lead.
Tufts was able to answer three minutes later with a nice individual play from senior Dylan Plimmer (Phoenix, AZ). Plimmer danced off the boards from the corner, around two Mules to find an opening to light the lamp which made it 2-1 after the first period.
Colby goalie, sophomore Sam Parker (Cambridge, MA) had a sensational second period, where he shut out the Jumbos making 15 saves in the frame.
Tufts finally got its offense turning in the second period as well, but Parker's strong play mixed with stingy Mules defense in their own zone, left the Jumbos frustrated.
Senior Jared Barker (Ridgefield, CT) had a strong game defensively for Tufts and stepped up play in the second period against the Colby onslaught, while freshman forward Conor Helfrich (North Andover, MA) played strong two-way hockey blocking shots and causing turnovers on defense and getting the puck to the goal on the rush.
Colby freshman Jonathan Sdao (Niwot, CO) stood out both ways as well, with a strong physical presence and added a bomb of a goal on the power play.
Colby scored twice in the second period on the Sdao power-play goal and a tally from senior Cory McGrath (Yarmouthport, ME). Chwick sent in a shot from the point that bounced off the backboards and found the stick of McGrath out front in traffic, who put it away. The Mules went into the second intermission up 4-1.
The Jumbos met the same Mules in the third period, with a stalwart Parker in net and an unrelenting forecheck, blowing up their slower, passive breakouts.
Each team added goals late. Plimmer scored again for Tufts on assists from freshmen Stewart Bell (Upper Saddle, NJ) and Dom Granato (Pittsburgh, PA) with 6:22 left, while McGrath also added another goal at 4:02, from junior Nick Lanza (Rocky Hill, CT) and Chwick.
Phillips finished with 29 saves, while Parker had 38 stops.
Tufts goes into its break with a 3-4-1 record, and 1-3-1 in the NESCAC. The Jumbos will next play SUNY Canton at home on January 5 at 4:15 pm.
Game Box Score
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