CLINTON, NY.- The Wesleyan men's hockey team escaped with a 4-3 overtime victory over their conference foe Hamilton on the road Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals got off to a hot start, taking a 2-0 advantage into the later parts of the 2^nd period, before the Continentals responded with two goals of their own to even the score. Wesleyan was quick to respond and retake the lead on what seemed like the game-winning third-period goal by Ethan Davidson '26, but Hamilton had one more goal in them in regulation to force overtime. In the 3v3 overtime period, the Cardinals were able to capitalize quickly with DJ Dixon '24 converting the game-winner completing a bounce back win for Wesleyan. Wesleyan will advance to 5-1 (3-1 NESCAC). Hamilton falls to 3-3 (1-2 NESCAC), taking their first last in the past four games.

Hamilton and Wesleyan have gone at it in men's hockey since 1974, with the Cardinals holding a 14-35-6 record against their conference counterparts coming into the game. Wesleyan won in Clinton for the 2^nd straight year, partially avenging a NESCAC Tournament loss to the Continentals that ended their 2021-22 season. Wesleyan has now taken five of the past six games when traveling to face Hamilton.

The first period was fairly even in shots on goal, with the Continentals holding a slight advantage 11-8. The Cardinals had an early power play opportunity within the first five minutes of the game. They were able to muster three quick shots on the man-up chance before Wiggle Kerbrat '23 put through the opening goal of the game. Kerbrat attempted to send a rocket of a pass into the slot from behind the goal, however the puck hit the back of a defender's skate and into the net for an early Cardinals' lead. The Continentals ended the first period with a barrage of shots, but Marc Smith '24 was up to the task maintaining his team's 1-0 advantage.

After 10 minutes of excellent goalie play from both Hamilton's Jack Grant and Smith, the Continentals earned themselves a power play chance. They opened with two shots, but the Wesleyan power play kill got aggressive after a turnover in the neutral zone. Dixon intercepted the puck before weaving through multiple defenders before placing a shot low past Grant. The two teams traded power play chances over the next few minutes, but came up empty bringing the period to the final minute. With 12 seconds on the clock the Continentals snuck one by Smith on a nice cross from Grisha Gotovets to James Philpott to get on the board heading into the third period.

The Continentals kept their momentum going into the final period of regulation, with Philpott netting his second goal in the last three minutes of game action. His wrister from the blue line was able to get by Smith who had a hoard of bodies in front of him, tying the game at two just minutes into the third. Wesleyan came back less than a minute later to retake the lead, with Davidson taking the puck away from the Continentals' defense before beating Grant five hole. The Continentals came back with yet another equalizer in the final five minutes of the 3^rd period, scoring on one of their 13 shots on goal in the period. The game went into overtime, where Dixon was able to finally put and end to the back and forth affair. Dixon carried the puck from behind his own net all the way up the left side of the ice past his defender and scored from point-blank range to seal the deal.

Dixon nets his first two goals of 2022-23, his 2^nd career two-goal performance. His overtime goal is also his first-career game winning goal of his career. Kerbrat scores his 4^th goal in six games, while scores his second goal of his Cardinals' career. Emmet Powell '23 adds his 4^th assist of the year. Jake Lachance '23 records his 2^nd assist of the season. Smith makes 35 saves, his 2^nd 35+ saves of the season. Hamilton beat Wesleyan in shots on goal 38-23.

Wesleyan will return to the ice December 7^th, where they will return home to Spurrier-Snyder Rink to face off against Endicott in a non-conference battle.