Even though they were outshot 47-27, the Colgate University Raiders found a way to beat the Princeton University Tigers 5-4 in overtime on Saturday night at Starr Rink in Hamilton.
“It was entertaining, an excellent hockey game,” commented Princeton’s coach Guy Gadowsky. “Both teams played great, especially the goalies.”
Francois Brisebois scored the game-winner 2:00 into the overtime period. Colgate’s Nick Prockow picked up the puck at his own blue line and sent it up to Robbie Bourdon on the side boards. Bourdon and Brisebois broke into the Princeton zone on a two-on-one. Bourdon sent it across and Brisebois beat Princeton’s Alan Reynolds to end the game. It was his second of the night. He also tallied an assist on the first Colgate goal.
“It really helps when Brisebois and his line contribute to the scoring,” said Colgate coach Don Vaughan. “I was proud; they really stepped up tonight.”
The scoring came early, as Princeton got a goal from Dan Bartlett just 2:50 into the contest. Cam MacIntyre skated the puck towards the Colgate net and sent a pass across the middle to a wide open Bartlett for the goal.
Colgate responded on a power play when Bourdon and Brisebois cycled the puck behind the Tigers’ net. Brisebois sent a backhand pass out in front to Nick Prockow, who was able get it by Reynolds at 8:08.
Then a Colgate turnover on the penalty kill proved costly, as Jody Pederson intercepted a clearing attempt at the hash marks and ripped a shot past Alex Evin to give Princeton a 2-1 lead with 1:50 left in the first.
Late in the second, Princeton’s Kevin Kaiser skated in on a breakaway and tried to beat Evin. The Colgate netminder got a piece of it, but the puck fluttered up in the air. It looked as if it was going in the net until Colgate’s Jeremy Price, who was hustling back, stuck his glove out and made the save.
Price controlled the puck and immediately sent it up to David McIntyre in the neutral zone, who, along with Brisebois, caught Princeton on a change. They went in two-on-one; McIntyre faked a shot and sent it across to Brisebois, who one-timed it in at 15:46.
Princeton did not score in the second, even though they had 21 shots on Evin, as well as four power-play chances.
“Our goalie was our best penalty killer tonight,” said Vaughan.
In the third period, Princeton came out with fire and scored 59 seconds in. Derrick Pallis sent a pass to Kevin Lohry, who dished it off to Dan Bartlett. Bartlett skated past the top of the left circle and wristed a shot that went in off the opposite side post for his second of the game, giving Princeton a 3-2 lead.
McIntyre changed the dynamics of the third period with one shift.
Ethan Cox led the Raiders’ breakout with a pass to Austin Smith. Smith sent the puck to McIntyre. From there, he skated in and beat Reynolds high to tie the game at 4:05.
Just 1:16 later, McIntyre picked up a rebound out in front and deked past the diving Princeton goalie, getting his second goal of the shift. Assists were given to Price and Smith.
Starr Rink erupted.
Princeton, however, was able to respond.
For the rest of the period, Princeton sustained pressure in the Colgate zone. With only 1:24 left in the contest, their hard work paid off. Defenseman Taylor Fedun passed across to Pederson, who blasted a slap shot from the point that Mike Kramer tipped past Evin to tie the game.
“It was tough; a late goal can really deflate you,” said Vaughan. “But we let our captains talk [between the third period and overtime] and carry the emotion of the team. We enjoyed it. If you can’t enjoy playing a rival, it might be time to think of a different sport to play.”
Colgate’s emotion carried them, as the Raiders bounced back with the goal by Brisebois two minutes into overtime.
“We can draw a lot of positives from this game,” said Gadowsky. “We had really good offensive chances and though it was disappointing to lose, I think we played very well.”
Princeton (3-4-1, 2-3-1) will head to Hamden, where they will have their hands full with undefeated Quinnipiac Wednesday night at the TD Bank Sports Center.
Colgate (6-3-4, 4-1-1) will prepare to face old rival Cornell at Lynah Rink in Ithaca Tuesday night.
