Hockey Opens New Season With 5-3 Victory at Wesleyan

MIDDLETOWN, CT (November 15, 2024) - Sophomore transfer Jon Horn scored a hat trick in his Tufts University debut as the Jumbo men's hockey team opened its 2024-25 season with a 5-3 NESCAC win at Wesleyan University on Friday night.

Horn scored twice in the first period for a 2-0 Tufts lead. The Jumbos then increased their advantage to 4-0 with a pair of early goals in the second period by freshman Bryceon Lago and senior Harrison Bazianos before the Cardinals got on the scoreboard. Tufts' lead was 5-1 before Wesleyan scored twice late on power plays.

Junior goalie Gus Bylin made 27 saves in the win. Horn's linemate sophomore Trace Norwell finished with three assists. The goal by Lago came in his collegiate debut.

The Jumbos' first goal six minutes into the game saw great puck movement up the right boards. Freshman defenseman Jameson Klein sent the puck from his own zone to senior Brennan Horn at mid-ice, where he chipped it up to Norwell at the blue line. He found Jon Horn rushing the net on the left side for the Jumbos' first goal of the season.

Tufts would go up 2-0 with under two minutes remaining in the first. At the right point, freshman Maddox Lizotte passed to Norwell open in front of the net. His shot was saved by Wesleyan freshman goalie Patrick McDevitt, as was a rebound attempt by Jon Horn who was then able to poke home the loose puck near the left post.

The Jumbos scored twice in the first five minutes of the second period to lead 4-0. Jon Horn would get the primary assist on the third goal, taking a pass from Norwell in the left circle, spinning and sending the puck to Lago in front for the goal for the score. Bazianos then snapped a shot past McDevitt from the left dot with 15:33 on the clock and the Jumbos were in control.

Wesleyan ended the run of Jumbo goals when sophomore Hayden Hanes scored from the left circle at 11:15 of the second period.

Jon Horn would get the hat trick seven minutes into the third period. He retrieved the puck in the neutral zone after a Wesleyan player fell an tapped it to Brennan Horn, who gave it right back to him. Jon Horn broke in on the left side and snapped a shot past McDevitt for a 5-1 lead.

The Jumbos were whistled for eight penalties in the game, and Wesleyan scored on two of the man-advantages late in the third. Both tallies came from sophomore Connor Sutherland.

Shots finished an even 30-30. McDevitt recorded 25 saves in the Cardinal net. Jon Horn had a four-point game overall, Lizotte was +4 for the Jumbos and senior defenseman Philippe Lamarre blocked three shots. Junior Max Resnick was an impressive 11 for 12 on face-offs.

Tufts plays at Trinity College tomorrow afternoon in a rematch of last year's NESCAC Championship Game.