Jefferson ’22 leads men’s hockey in NESCAC tie with Williams

Hamilton College’s Jordi Jefferson ’22 had a goal and an assist and the Continentals tied the Williams College Ephs 2-2 in Friday night’s NESCAC matchup at Hamilton’s Russell Sage Rink.

 

The teams were evenly matched with 9-7 conference records, though Hamilton was ahead of Williams in the NESCAC standings by a point (27-26). The Continentals (10-8-1 overall) defeated the Ephs 4-1 back on Dec. 10.

 

Nick Rutigliano ’22 scored Hamilton’s first goal on a power play. Grisha Gotovets ’25 took the puck behind the Williams net and passed it back to Jefferson in the right faceoff circle. Jefferson cycled the puck back to Rutigliano at the blue line, and he fired a one-timer from the point through traffic into the left side of the net that tied the score at 1-1 at 11:01 in the first period. The goal is the defenseman’s sixth of the season and it’s his 10th point.

 

Jefferson put the Continentals ahead 2-1 with 3:39 left in the second period. Fred Allaire ’23 won a faceoff in the left circle and knocked the puck back to Carter Dwyer ’23 at the blue line. Dwyer carried the puck forward before he took a shot from the boards that Jefferson knocked down and deflected past the Williams goaltender. Jefferson has six goals and 15 points this season. Allaire won 17 of 24 faceoffs for the evening.

 

Williams (9-10-1) scored the final goal at 1:32 in the third period when Jamie Cates converted on the power play with an assist from Sean Clarke. Cates assisted on Williams’ first goal, which was scored by Henry Muller at 8:46 in the first period. 

 

Hamilton’s Sean Storr ’22 made a season-high 34 saves while Cal Sandquist made 41 saves including four in overtime. Cade Groton ’23 won 12 of 15 faceoffs for the Continentals.

 

The Continentals host Middlebury College for a NESCAC matchup on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. at Sage Rink. Hamilton will host its five seniors with a brief ceremony prior to the game.