Box Score
MALDEN, Mass. – The men's hockey team opened up their season on Saturday night at the Valley Forum, but weren't able to top visiting NESCAC-rival Wesleyan who beat the Jumbos 5-2. Senior Jay Matthews scored twice for the visiting Cardinals, while sophomore Sean Kavanagh had two assists for the Jumbos.
Wesleyan opened up scoring just over five minutes into the game with an unassisted goal from freshman Marty Rubin who was able to get the puck in to the bottom corner of the net. Just thirty seconds later freshman Jordan Jancze was sent to the penalty box for cross-checking, but Tufts was unable to capitalize on the power play.
Matthews made it two to nothing in the Cardinals favor eight and a half minutes into the first frame, as senior Connor Ryan and sophomore Elliott Vorel picked up assists. With just over five minutes remaining in the first, the Jumbos would get their first goal from senior Andrew White, He was assisted by junior Stewart Bell and Kavanagh, cutting the Cardinal advantage to one.
The second period started with a quick penalty, as junior Dom Granato was sent to the box for slashing. Weselyan took advantage of their first power play opportunity, scoring less than a minute into the power play with Matthews second of the day. Sophomore James Kline and senior James Albrecht had the assists.
The Cardinals were able to use the momentum from that power play goal to maintain an edge the rest of the period. Tufts would have two more five on four advantages, but were unable to capitalize on either. With under five minutes remaining in the second period, the Jumbos had a five-on-three advantage for one minute, but were not able to score. At the end of the second period the score was 3-1 in the visitors' favor.
Wesleyan once again opened up the scoring in the third period, with Kline finding the back of the net just over five minutes into play with assists from sophomore Quincy Oujevolk and Albrecht. About two minutes later senior Tyler Voigt gave the Jumbos another tally, cutting the Cardinal advantage to two. Kavanagh had his second assist of the day and freshman Chad Goldberg also picked up an assist on the Voigt goal.
With 1:48 remaining in the game, freshman goalie Ryan McConnell left the net to give the Jumbos the extra skater. But, though the Jumbos were able to unleash a few shots, it was Wesleyan sophomore Cole Morrissette who scored the empty net goal to push the score to 5-2.
The Jumbos outshot the Cardinals in the game, finishing with the shots on goal advantage, 33-23. The Jumbos had two penalties to Wesleyans five, but were not able to convert on any of their four power play opportunities, while Wesleyan was one-for-one in power plays.
Sophomore Dawson Sprigings finished with 31 saves for the Cardinals, while his Jumbo counterpart, McConnell finished with 18.
The Cardinals move to 1-0-0 on the season and are 1-0-0 in NESCAC play. They will be back in action on Sunday as they face off with Connecticut College at 3:00 pm. The Jumbos (0-1-0, 0-1-0) take the ice again at the Valley Forum tomorrow as they host #10 Trinity. Puck drops at 4:00 pm.
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