MALDEN, MA (January 26, 2024) – Williams College junior goalie Cal Sandquist made 27 saves to record his second career shutout on Friday night in the Ephs' 2-0 NESCAC men's hockey victory at Tufts University.
Sandquist had allowed six goals in the Ephs' 7-4 loss to Tufts in Williamstown back on December 1. However, he and the Williams team were sharper tonight as they added a 37-27 advantage in shots to the shutout.
The Ephs improve to 6-10-1 overall and 3-7-1 in NESCAC with the win, which makes them 4-1-1 in their last six games. Tufts falls to 9-6-2 and 6-4-1 in the league, holding down third-place through Friday's contests.
Williams scored just 2:48 into the action. After fanning on a pass, a Tufts defender had to scramble to clear the Jumbo zone. Eph sophomore Liam Jones got to the puck at the red line and pushed it up to classmate Mel Mortarelli. He passed left to junior Owen Stadheim as both entered the zone. From the right circle Stadheim snapped a shot past Tufts senior goalie
Peyton Durand for his fifth goal and it was 1-0 Ephs.
The visitors would hold an advantage in possession throughout the game. Durand was solid for the Jumbos, eventually finishing with 35 saves to keep it a one-score game until late. The Jumbos killed two second-period power plays and three overall by the Ephs during which Durand made five saves.
The Jumbos couldn't get their offensive clicking in just their second home game since December 9, and their first in conference during that stretch. They would pull Durand with two minutes remaining in regulation, but the Ephs tacked on an empty-net goal by junior Nick Rashkovsky for the 2-0 final.
Williams sophomore Trevor O'Brien won 14 of his 17 face-offs to help the Ephs control the play at times. Sophomore
Max Resnick was eight for 11 for the Jumbos.
Tufts welcomes Middlebury College tomorrow for a 4:00 pm game at Valley Forum in Malden. The Ephs travel to Connecticut College for a 3 pm start.
--JUMBOS--
