|
Volume CXXXII, Number 17 |
 |
Hockey set for Continental breakfast
MIKE BALULESCU
STAFF WRITER
 |
| After ending the season at number four in the NESCAC, Bowdoin will battle Hamilton in the playoffs. (Hans Law, Bowdoin Orient) |
Last week's blessed return of the sun to the greater Brunswick area did little to cheer up Bowdoin ice hockey fans, as the Polar Bears failed to garner a win in the final road trip of the regular season. Despite playing well, Bowdoin found itself locked in ties with both Amherst College and Hamilton College last weekend, finishing the year at a lukewarm fourth place in the NESCAC standings.
Nevertheless, the Polar Bears (13-5-5) will play the first round of the postseason at home tomorrow, as they try for the second week in a row to get the best of a talented Hamilton squad.
The hockey team was in good spirits as they hit the road last Friday, fresh off a solid home stand and eager to close out the season on a winning note. However, victory was not to be, even against an Amherst team that had only mustered seven wins all season.
The beginning of Friday night's game was all Bowdoin. Adam Dann '06 put the Polar Bears on top with a goal in the first 17 seconds of the game, and sophomore Adam Mackie quickly followed suit with a goal of his own.
Although the game reached a 3-3 tie by the start of the third period, Bowdoin took the lead again on a goal by captain Sean Starke '03, his thirteenth of the season. Just when it looked like the Polar Bears might dig out a victory, Amherst tied the game with a tick over five minutes left to play in the game. A disappointing overtime period yielded the same result, and the match ended in a 4-4 tie.
On Saturday afternoon, the hockey team took on Hamilton in their last game of the regular season. Despite an offensive barrage, in which Bowdoin's offense took 49 shots on goal, the Polar Bears only found the back of the net once and ended the season in a 1-1 tie with the host Continentals.
Nevertheless, the men of Bowdoin hockey have a lot to smile about these days. "We played very well against Hamilton," said head coach Terry Meagher. "We approached last weekend as a dry run for the postseason, and I was pleased with every element of our game. Michael [Healey '04] played very well, and if you're going to win in the playoffs, you need your goalie to bring his 'A' game."
No one can deny that junior goaltender Mike Healey had a banner weekend to finish the season. He made an astonishing 68 saves against Amherst and Hamilton, and if he stays hot, there is no telling how far Bowdoin will go in the playoffs. In 557 chances this season, Healey allowed only 58 goals.
"I think it will be a classic match up," Meagher said about his team's game against Hamilton tomorrow. After tying Bowdoin, the Hamilton Continentals (13-9-2) finished the season fifth overall in the NESCAC standings.
The NESCAC postseason action starts tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. under our very own Dayton rafters.
|
FastCounter by bCentral |