MIDDLETOWN, CT – Men's hockey competed in their first game in nearly a month Saturday afternoon, defeating Middlebury College by a score of 3-1. Wesleyan held a 2-1 lead going into the 3^rd period, when D.J Dixon '24 scored his second goal of the night on an empty netter to seal the deal. Wesleyan improves to 5-3-1 (4-0-1 NESCAC) on the year and are winners of their last four. Middlebury drops to 1-6-0 (0-5-0 NESCAC) with their fourth straight loss.
 
HIGHLIGHTS:

• D.J Dixon gave Wesleyan an early 1-0 lead in the first period when he stole a pass leading to a breakaway where he beat Middlebury's Goalie, Jake Horoho, glove side. The Cardinals held onto that one goal lead thanks to some stellar defense. Emmet Powell '23 put his body on the line late in the period to deflect the puck away after a turnover in front of their own goal
•   Wesleyan was able to strike quickly again to start the 2^nd period, as Stevie O'Conner '22 capitalized off of a Middlebury turnover in the neutral zone. Tyler Levine '22 took the puck behind the net and delivered a beautiful pass to a cutting O'Connor in front of the net
• Both teams poured in shots in the 2^nd, putting pressure on both goalies for the entire 20 minutes. After Wesleyan had four straight shots late in the period, it was Middlebury who countered with a goal to trim the deficit to one. Bret Pastor and Brett Garbe delivered shots from point blank that were turned away before Jake Oblak was able to put one through on the third try. Making the game 2-1 going into the final period
• The Panthers had a power play opportunity with eight minutes to go in the game, producing four shots but no goal to show for it. Erik Voloshin '24 stood tall, saving six shots in the final seven minutes to close the door on a Panther equalizer
• Middlebury pulled their goalie with two minutes remaining as they made their final offensive push. They managed to get a shot on goal, but Voloshin turned it away. Go Uemura '23 picked up the rebound and sent a pass up off the boards to Dixon who put through the empty netter sealing the Cardinals win, 3-1

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• D.j Dixon had his first career two-goal performance, and has all three of his goals over the past two games
• Erik Voloshin made 25 saves today, and is now over 100 saves on the year (120)
• Stevie O'Connor scored his 3^rd goal of the season

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
Wesleyan returns to action tomorrow, January 9^th at 3pm where they will take on the Williams College Ephs at Spurrier-Snyder Rink.