Box Score MALDEN – Junior Jon Beniers scored twice to lead the Hamilton College men's hockey team to a 4-1 victory at Tufts University in NESCAC play Friday night at Valley Forum.
Beniers scored the first goal of the game and then added an important insurance goal in the third as the Continentals (5-6-2, 4-4 NESCAC) won their second in a row after going winless for four straight.
Tufts, who had a goal by sophomore Brendan Skarda to close within 2-1 in the second period, dropped to 4-9 and 2-5 in the league. Skarda now has points in four of the last five games for Tufts.
The visiting Continentals took a 1-0 lead on Benier's goal 3:08 into the action. Senior defenseman Sam Jones' shot from the left point was saved by Tufts sophomore goalie Josh Sarlo. However, the rebound went straight to Beniers on the left side and he made a move to the middle and scored on a back-hander.
The first period featured six penalties and the Continentals would take advantage of a power play to build their margin to 2-0. Senior defenseman Bennett Morrison retrieved a rebound in the left corner of the Tufts zone and sent a pass across the ice to sophomore Joey Moore, who fanned on a shot. However, the puck kept sliding towards the front of the net and freshman Nick Hawkins knocked it in at 10:59 for a two-goal advantage.
Tufts would establish some momentum late in the second period and pull within a goal. Hamilton senior goalie Anthony Tirabassi kept Tufts off the board initially with a save on a break-in by Skarda, and then a follow-up stop on a rebound attempt by freshman Alex Lycett. However, 20 seconds later Skarda won a puck in the left corner of the Hamilton zone and it squirted to Lycett. He sent it towards the goal and it deflected back to Skarda who scored his third of the year at 15:37.
Early in the third, Sarlo made a save on a Moore attempt from the doorstep to keep it a one-goal game. Tufts dominated the middle of the third, but could not net an equalizer. The score remained 2-1 Hamilton until Beniers netted his second of the game with a little more than six minutes remaining in regulation. He was sent in by a pass from junior Justin Felhaber and slid one past Sarlo for a 3-1 Hamilton lead.
Less than 90 seconds later on a power play, sophomore Jordi Jefferson was set up perfectly in the slot by senior Nick Ursitti for a one-timer that put the visitors up 4-1.
Tirabassi finished the game with 29 saves, including 14 in the third period. The Jumbos out-shot the Continentals 30-23 in the game. Sarlo stopped 19 shots before he was relieved late by senior Tyler Haywood.
Hamilton went 2 for 6 on the power play while holding the Jumbos scoreless on five man-advantages. Junior Teddy Simson was credited with two assists for Hamilton.
The Jumbos had the edge in draws by a 40-32 count with sophomore Angus Scott winning 12.
Tufts welcomes Amherst College to Valley Forum tomorrow for a NESCAC game starting at 4 pm. The Continentals continue on to Connecticut College for a 3 pm conference game on Saturday.
