MIDDLETOWN, CT- Men's hockey was defeated by Trinity on Senior Day Friday night. The Cardinals got out to an early 1-0 lead in the 1^st period, before the teams traded goals in the 2^nd to make the score 2-1 heading into what appeared to be the final 20 minutes. The fans from the women's basketball game leaked over to Spurrier-Snyder Rink to begin the 3^rd, trying to urge their team to a Senior Day victory. A physical stretch of hockey ensued, leading to three 3^rd period power play opportunities to go along with a handful of scrums following each stoppage of play. Trinity eventually scored with six minutes remaining to send the game into overtime. In overtime, Trinity scored just as Owen Sweet '25 was leaving the penalty box to play spoiler on Wesleyan's Senior Day.

Wesleyan drops their 2^nd straight game to go to 10-10-3 (8-6-3 NESCAC), while Trinity improves to 13-7-1 (11-5-1 NESCAC). Wesleyan will look to secure their 3^rd place finish in the NESCAC Saturday at 4pm in a rematch at Trinity.
 
HIGHLIGHTS:

• After Colin Cobb '23 was able to beat out an icing call, Wesleyan capitalized on their 1^st goal of the game late in the 1^st period. Liam Donelan '23 took a wrist shot from the blue line that was turned away, however Go Uemura '23 tracked down the rebound and beat the Bantams goalie to put Wesleyan up 1-0
• Trinity responded halfway through the 2^nd period, when Lucas Michaud found Cole Poliziani for a slap shot from out in front of the goal to knot the game at one goal apiece
• The Bantams had a power play chance later in the 2^nd period trying to obtain their 1^st lead of the contest, but Wesleyan turned the tables. Wiggle Kerbrat '23 intercepted a Trinity pass in the Bantams' attacking zone, breaking out to create a two on one situation the other way. Kerbrat found Owen Sweet who took the pass and beat the goalie on a slick move from right in front of the net while falling to the ice. Wesleyan would go up 2-1 on the shorthanded goal
•  Wesleyan's crowd doubled in size entering the final period of play, as the student section from the women's basketball game piled in to watch the final 20 minutes of action. They brought energy and helped the Cardinals' defense hold off the Bantams for the first nearly 14 minutes of the period
• However, Trinity found the equalizer with just six minutes remaining in the 3rd. Poliziani received a long outlet pass and beat a Wesleyan defenseman in the neutral zone creating a two on one with him and Ned Blanchard. Poliziani made a quick pass to Blanchard who had his one timer beat Marc Smith '24 to tie the game at two
• A Wesleyan late 3^rd period penalty would leak into overtime, creating a four on three opportunity for the Bantams to start the extra period. The Wesleyan power play defense held strong for the full two minutes, but as Sweet was opening the door to leave the penalty box Blanchard found an opening and unloaded a wrist shot that found the back of the net. Trinity completed the comeback winning 3-2 in overtime

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Go Uemura and Owen Sweet score their 4^th goals of the season
• Colin Cobb adds another assist to his team-leading 13
• Marc Smith makes a career-high 32 saves
• Trinity outshot Wesleyan 35-19 (SOG)

 
UP NEXT:
Wesleyan will once again play Trinity tomorrow, February 19^th at 4pm at Trinity. Wesleyan looks for a win to try to hold on to 3^rd place in the NESCAC.