MILTON, Mass.- In an ECAC Northeast Conference Quarerfinal match-up in men's ice hockey action on Saturday evening at the Max Ulin Rink, #4 seeded Curry College defeated #5 seed Wentworth, 8-4. With the win, the Colonels improve to 15-9-2 overall and advance to ECAC Northeast Semi-final. The Leopards fall to 11-12-3 in their final game of the season.
The Colonels came out strong to begin opening play by scoring four goals in the first 10 minutes of the period. Solid play between the pipes of Curry's netminder Derek Mohney (Amherst, N.Y.) held the Leopards to just one score. Junior Shane Harrington (Mansfield, Mass.) got his team on the board just 1:06 into the frame after netting a power play goal. Wentworth was called for a penalty at 1:02 and Harrington wasted no time taking advantage of the man-up situation scoring four seconds into the power play. Sophomore James Murphy (Malden, Mass.) and sophomore Jake Heisinger (Winnipeg, Manitoba) had the assists. Curry's next goal was scored short-handed by sophomore Dan McGinnis (Hanover, Mass.). The Colonels broke out of their defensive zone and skated down the ice with the puck. McGinnis received the pass from Murphy and senior Chris Mason (Monrovia, Calif.). Senior Braeden Ruud (Vermillion, Alberta) tallied his first on the night two and a half minutes later after collecting the puck in front of the net sticking it past the Leopards junior goaltender Joel Miller (Calgary, Alta.). Heisinger and freshman Adam DiBrina (Sudbury, Ontario) were credited with the assists. Curry got on the board once more for their fourth off a power-play goal by Mason. Murphy won the face-off and sent the puck to Harrington who saw an open Mason. Mason one-timed it into the back of the net. Wentworth's senior goaltender Alex Peck (Kirkland, Que.) replaced Miller to finish out the period. The Leopards were able to get one of their own before the end of the period to head into the second with the Colonels leading 4-1. Wentworth used a two-man advantage for their first power-play score of the game. Freshman Erik Andersson (West Bloomfield, Mich.) netted his first of two off assists by seniors Mike Domsodi (Kirkland, Que) and Kevin Crowe (Galloway, N.J.). Wentworth held the lead in shots at 15-10.
Another strong showing in net by Mohney held the Leopards scoreless in the second period stopping all 10 shots he faced. The Colonels netted two more to extend their lead to 6-1. Senior Jordan Reed (Ajax, Ontario) tallied the game-winning goal, another power-play for the team, just 5:22 in. Reed took a diving slap shot that sailed over the shoulder of Peck. Reed was assisted by McGinnis and Murphy. Midway through the frame freshman Adam Valadao (Ajax, Ontario) scored off assists by sophomores Tyler Vankleef (Dundas, Ontario) and Mike Vallescuro (Woodbridge, Ontario). Peck made eight saves in the period for a game total of 12. Senior Jeff Giordani (Quincy, Mass.) replaced Peck to finish out the game in net for Wentworth.
The Leopards had a demanding lead in shots in the final period outshooting the Colonels 12-4. They also put up three more scores while the Colonels had two. Wentworth netted three unanswered goals over a span of nine minutes to cut Curry's lead down to 6-4. Andersson earned his second on the night after he scored just 12 seconds into a power-play. Andersson received the puck just outside the crease and placed it over the shoulder of Mohney. Senior Michael Heffner (Lloydminster, Sask.) and freshman Jake McDonough (Marshfield, Mass.) were credited with the assists. At 10:41 freshman Chris Sattler (East Longmeadow, Mass.) scored off an assist by junior Mike Cox (Marlborough, Mass.). The Leopards final tally of the night came off the stick of junior Adam Frank (Clarkston, Mich.). Frank got a pass from freshman Brian Farkas (Shoreline, Wash.) for a one-time shot past Mohney. Wentworth pulled Giordani with 1:19 showing on the board hoping an extra man would earn them a couple more goals. Mohney shut them down and Curry scored two empty net goals for the 8-4 win. Junior Ryan Gay (Nesconset, N.Y.) and freshman Phil Kiss (Burlington, Ontario) each scored on the empty net.
Curry went 3-5 on power plays while Wentworth was 2-5. The Leopards finished with a game-high 37 shots and the Colonels 24.
Curry's Mohney made an impressive 33 saves in net for the win. Miller came up with two stops in goal in 10:15 minutes of play for Wentworth. Peck made 12 saves in 29:45 minutes and Giordani finished with two.
Curry's next game is away on Wednesday, March 4 in the ECAC Northeast Semi-finals at the #1 seed Nichols College, 8:10 p.m.
