MALDEN - Sophomore Mike Hawkrigg scored twice, including the eventual game-winning goal, as the Trinity College hockey team won its sixth straight game, 5-2, at Tufts in NESCAC play Sunday afternoon at Valley Forum.
The Bantams, on the verge of entering the US College Hockey Online national top 15, have won eight of their last nine. They improved to 13-3 overall and 8-2 in NESCAC, tied with Williams for first place.
The Jumbos (3-13, 1-9 NESCAC) got a pair of assists from junior co-captain Blake Edwards, giving him a team-high eight helpers.
Trinity never trailed, but Tufts was within 3-2 seven minutes into the third period. After the Bantams got out to a 2-0 lead, Jumbo junior Andrew White scored on a power-play during a five-minute major penalty to Trinity and it was 2-1 at the end of the second.
Hawkrigg stymied Tufts' momentum by scoring just 33 seconds into the third period, his second of the game and 11th of the season. However, the Jumbos fought back to 3-2 on Keith Campbell's goal at 6:53 of the third.
Trinity would take control by scoring the next two goals. Ben Hjalmarsson put the visitors up 4-2 at 10:43 and Jim Burt tallied unassisted at 14:30 for the final goal of the game.
Senior defenseman Larry Bero had staked Trinity to a 1-0 advantage in the first period, scoring at 14:13. In the second period, Tufts was whistled for a pair of penalties just six seconds apart. The Bantams took advantage of the 5-on-3 opportunity, with Hawkrigg scoring at 12:55.
Tufts would have its own 5-on-3 later in the period, along with the unreleasable charging major on Trinity. White scored for Tufts, but the Bantams were able to leave it at that heading into the third.
Trinity senior goalie Ben Coulthard earned his 10th win of the season making 31 saves. He had 13 in the third period when the Jumbos out-shot Trinity 14-10. Tufts had a 33-31 edge in total shots.
Senior Greg Jenkins made his second straight start for the Jumbos. He stopped 26 shots, including 11 in the second period.
The Bantams will look to keep their winning streak going next Saturday when they host Amherst at 7:30 pm. Tufts next travels up to Middlebury for a 7 pm start next Friday night.
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