Since the end of fall semester, the men’s hockey team has won four of its past five games and improved to a 9-4-2 record (5-4-1 NESCAC), and is now approaching an important weekend with games against Middlebury and Williams. The team hopes to maintain its momentum after a 3-2 victory over Wesleyan on January 18.
Head Coach Terry Meagher described the win as “a complete game for us and a hard fought victory.”
Wesleyan led 2-0 after the first period, but Bowdoin began to overcome this deficit when Colin Downey ’14 scored in the second period on a power-play goal. Captain Harry Matheson ’14 contributed two assists in the win.
“It was an odd game,” said Matheson. “The first period we came out and took the play to them for a good 15 minutes of the first 20. They got a couple of lucky breaks and were up 2-0 on us after the first period. Coach always focuses on the fifth period of the weekend. Anything can happen after that, and we came out and won it [the second period] 1-0.”
Mitch Barrington ’17 and John McGinnis ’15 added goals in the third period to defeat the Cardinals.
Bowdoin lost to Trinity 5-1 on the previous night, January 17. Trinity led the match for its entirety.
“We were a little flat to start, which is unusual for this program,” said Meagher. “Traditionally we get off a bus and we’re ready to play.”
“When you chase against a good team, you’re really going to give up some opportunities,” he added. “I thought we played a very good third period, and the thing that was positive is that we didn’t give up and we worked on our game.”
The team beat Amherst 4-2 on January 11.
After the second period, the score was tied 2-2, with goals contributed by Downey and Connor Quinn ’15.
“[It was] probably one of the better played games that we’ve had this year,” said Meagher. “It was an exciting game, and a well-played game that came right down to the end.”
A pair of shorthanded goals in the third period from Matt Rubinoff ’16 and Matheson helped elevate the team to the win. Goaltender Steve Messina ’14 had 36 saves in net.
On January 10, the Polar Bears decisively beat Hamilton 7-3.
“In the third period, we kept the pressure on, found a chink in their armor, and potted a few goals,” said Matheson. “Hockey is a game of momentum, and we got it at the right time and ended up capitalizing.”
Downey had a hat trick, and became the 34th player in the program’s history to reach 100 career points.
“The scoreboard made it look like it was an easier game than it really was, because we scored three goals in the last minute,” said Meagher. “But it was no different than any other game in this league; it’s such a strong league from top to bottom.”
The Polar Bears also defeated the University of New England Nor’Easters on January 7, with a score of 4-3, in a come-from-behind win. It was the team’s first game since December 10.
“It was our first game back since everyone went home for break,” said Barrington. “We had been practicing for a few days, and everybody was kind of getting in the groove for the first game.”
The score was tied 3-3 heading into the third period. Quinn scored the game-winning goal and the Polar Bears held onto the lead to defeat the Nor’Easters.
The team will face Middlebury at 7 p.m. tonight and Williams tomorrow at 4 p.m. in Watson Arena.
“We’re trying to take a little momentum from the win on Saturday [against Wesleyan] and bring it into this weekend,” said Barrington. “We’re trying to get some revenge against two really good teams.”
“The playoffs really have started now. It’s about trying to position yourself to get into the postseason and move up the ladder. We have 10 teams that are contending, so every game is like a playoff game,” said Meagher.
During Friday’s game, the team will host their Wounded Warriors event to raise money by selling special jerseys that the team will wear during the game.
Meagher hopes the fundraiser will “honor our veterans…and bring awareness to the complicated challenges that injured men and women who have served the country are facing.”