While the Jeffs played what was arguably their best game of the season, they came up just short, falling 3-2 to the Polar Bears.
"This time around against Bowdoin we really competed," said co-captain Greg Carr '02. "We did not play well the first time and we knew we could give them a game the second time around."
The Bears got out to a quick lead in the game, though, scoring the opening goal of the game 4:25 into the first period.
Bill Busch blasted a shot past Justin Jagher '03, the Jeffs goaltender, to give the Bears a lead that they would hold until midway through the second period.
In the second, it was the Jeffs that got on the board next. While on the penalty kill Beau Kretzman '05 was able to knot the score when he weaved through the Bowdoin defense and put a wrister into the back of the net. The goal was Kretzman's 25th of the year.
In the third period, the Bears took advantage of questionable officiating to take back the lead. Just over five minutes into the period the Jeffs were whistled for a penalty and 21 seconds later, the Bears capitalized.
Jared Porter took a pass from Michael Carosi, who edged Kretzman for the league scoring title, and buried it in the back of the net.
For the game, the Bears had a six -to-two power play advantage, with a number of those advantages coming on questionable calls.
"The penalty differential did hurt us, as they had two power play goals, but we had plenty of chances that we were unable to bury," said Carr.
Seven minutes later, the Bears took advantage of another power play. Brian Shuman scored the eventual game-winning goal for the Bears, sending them into the second round of the Tournament, but the game was far from over.
The Jeffs wasted little time coming back from the third Bowdoin goal, when Mike Kreger '04 bulled past the Bowdoin defense and brought the Jeffs within a goal with just under eight minutes remaining in the game.
But the Jeffs were unable to capitalize on any of their chances over the final minutes of the game and their season came to an end on the wrong side of a 3-2 decision.
"We finally played our best game in our biggest game and; hopefully, the younger guys can use the playoff experience down the line," said Jagher.
Although the Jeffs had a very disappointing season overall, there were a few bright spots. Kretzman was the standout, as he stepped into college hockey without skipping a beat.
With a young team, the Jeffs were able to get some important experience and, hopefully, this will help them in the years to come.
Other bright spots of the season included the superb play of Bob Miele '02, who surpassed the career 100-point mark late in the season and Carr, who finished third on the team this year with 23 points on the season.