The Jeffs started the game with a bang, scoring three goals in the opening 2:40 of play. Attacker Matt Kellman ’10 instigated the run by winning some key face-offs, leading to scores by Tom McDonnell ’10, J.T. Milone ’10 and Matt Rawson’12. A 2-1 scoring run in response over the first and second quarter from Colby led to a 4-4 tie with 9:41 to play in the second frame.
However, Amherst surged forward again with back-to-back goals by Alex Fox ’12 and Rawson. The Mules tried to take the momentum going into halftime by scoring the final goal of the second frame with 1:38 to play, but the Jeffs would go on to score the first goal of the third frame on an unassisted goal by quad-captain Clint Marchese ’09. Continuing the back-and-forth play that characterized the match, Colby responded with two straight goals to reach another tie at seven each with 6:30 to play in the third frame.
It looked like the ping-ponging lead would finally end for good in the Jeffs’ favor when Amherst scored two goals in 39 seconds. McDonnell scored off a pass from Brett Miller ’09 with 5:49 to play, followed by another goal from Milone 39 seconds later for the two-goal lead.
Colby began the comeback when Whit McCarthy scored with 2:58 left in the third quarter off a pass from Caddy Brooks. Then Jason Forino found McCarthy for the tying goal with 13:27 left in the final frame. With 6:40 to play, a pushing penalty on quad-captain defenseman Chris Fitzpatrick ’09 gave the Mules a man-up opportunity of which they took full advantage. As Fitzpatrick’s penalty ran out, a pass from Brooks behind the Amherst goal to Scott Margolis, who was right in front of the goal, led to what became the game-winning score.
“The game had been back and forth all day,” said quad-captain Matt Pietroforte ’09. “We just had the bad luck that [Colby] got the last say as time ran out.”
With the loss, the Jeffs remain in eighth place, still in playoff position, but precariously. With a final regular season match against 19th ranked Trinity, a loss to the Bantams would, for the second consecutive year, prevent the Jeffs from determining their own destiny. If, in addition to a Jeffs loss, Bates can upset the higher-ranked Colby, the Bobcats and the Jeffs will tie for eighth place and will likely battle for the final playoff spot. In this position, the Jeffs have the advantage, having defeated Bates 11-7 back in March. However, the Jeffs’ match-up against Trinity becomes doubly important as the game will serve as both Senior Day and a final chance to ensure a NESCAC playoff position.
“The Trinity match is vital now,” said Fitzpatrick. “We seniors definitely don’t want to see a chance to make playoffs slip away when it’s supposed to be our day to shine.”