Box Score
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| Senior co-captain Stewart Bell was the goal scorer for the Jumbos |
MALDEN – Junior Mason Pulde made a career-high 53 saves to help the Tufts men's hockey team earn a 1-1 overtime tie with visiting Hamilton on Sunday afternoon in NESCAC hockey action at the Malden Valley Forum. Senior co-captain Stewart Bell was the goal scorer for the Jumbos.
The 53 saves broke Pulde's previous career record of 48 saves, which also came against Hamilton, last year on February 13, when the Jumbos and the Continentals played to a 3-3 tie. In today's contest, Hamilton scored the game-tying goal on a power play with just 1:56 remaining in the third period to send the game to overtime.
The Continentals, who were receiving votes in the most recent US College Hockey Online national poll, are now 9-3-2 overall with a 5-2-2 mark in NESCAC play. With the tie the Jumbos move to 5-5-4 overall with a NESCAC record of 1-4-3.
Things were fast paced and pretty even in the first period as both teams had chances to score but weren't able to get on the board. The Jumbos had a chance just a couple of minutes into the period when junior Sean Kavanagh unleashed a slap shot near the blue line that deflected off the stick of classmate Matt Pugh who was right in front of the net. But it hit Hamilton net minder Evan Buitenhuis right in the chest and he was able to make the save.
Hamilton had two power play opportunities in the period and they were able to get off some good shots, but the Tufts defense, led by Pulde kept the Continentals off the board during both man-up opportunities.
The Jumbos were able to get a good scoring opportunity on one of those Hamilton power plays when junior Patrick Lackey got a breakaway one-on-one opportunity short handed. His shot hit Buitenhuis' glove and went up into the air, but the Hamilton goalie was able to catch the loose puck to keep the game scoreless.
The Continentals had their chances to score in the second period. Just over two minutes into the second period sophomore Nick Flanagan was sent to the box for charging. Pulde made four saves to keep the Jumbos and the Continentals locked at null.
It was the Jumbos that were able to capitalize in the second. Senior co-captain Stewart Bell gave the Jumbos a 1-0 lead with his fourth goal of the season just under seven minutes into the period. The pass came from junior Conal Lynch, off the faceoff, and the assist was Lynch's first of the season.
Things got a bit heated about two minutes later and after some pushing Jumbo freshman Nick Balboa was sent to the box with a five minute major for boarding, and sophomore Brian Brown and Hamilton's Jon Carkeek both went to their respective boxes for coincidental minor roughing penalties. The Jumbo defense squashed Hamilton's four-on-three man up opportunity for just over two minutes, and then the Jumbos stayed tough for the remaining three minutes that Hamilton had the extra man to keep the 1-0 lead. During those man-up opportunities the Jumbos blocked five Hamilton shots and Pulde made five saves.
Hamilton would have two power play opportunities early in the third period, but they were not able to score on either of them. Senior Dominic Granato was sent to the penalty box for elbowing just 31 seconds into the third period, but Pulde and the defense kept the one goal advantage. About five minutes later, senior co-captain Brian Ouellette paid a visit to the box for holding, but again Pulde and the defense remained strong, as Pulde made six saves during the two minute man advantage for Hamilton.
With 3:31 remaining in the game, Granato was again called for a penalty, this time for hitting from behind. Hamilton was able to capitalize on the power play this time, scoring the equalizer with just 1:56 left on the clock. Hamilton's Brandon Willett received a pass from Neil Conway and fired a shot at the net. Pulde made the save, but Tyler Lovejoy got the rebound and snuck the puck past Pulde to tie the contest and send it to overtime.
Both the Continentals and Jumbos would have some chances in the overtime period, but neither team was able to score and the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
Hamilton finished with a significant advantage in shots, 54-35. The Continentals struggled on the power play, just 1-for-9 with the man advantage against the Jumbos. The Jumbos were 0-for-3 on their power play opportunities. Buitenhuis finished with 34 saves for Hamilton. For the Jumbos, 25 of Pulde's 53 saves came in the third period.
Hamilton will be back in action when they host Amherst on Friday with a 7 pm scheduled start. The Jumbos continue their home stand on Friday when they host No. 9 ranked Trinity for a 7 pm contest at the Malden Valley Forum.
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