Hamilton College’s Nick Hawkins ’23 and Matt Gellerman ’24 scored two goals apiece and the Continentals posted a 4-1 NESCAC win against the Williams College Ephs at Williams’ Lansing Chapman Rink on Friday night.
Hamilton broke the game open with three goals in the second period as the Continentals improved to 4-2-0 overall and 3-1 in the conference. Hamilton was scheduled to play at Middlebury College on Saturday, Dec. 11, but that NESCAC contest is postponed due to COVID-19 issues on Middlebury’s campus.
The Ephs suffered their first conference loss in five games and dropped to 4-3-0 overall. Cal Sandquist made 12 of his 25 saves in the first period. Both teams took 29 shots.
James Philpott ’25 and Chad Varney ’22 collected two assists apiece and Gellerman added one for a three-point night for the Continentals. Scott McKenzie ’25 blocked three shots and Sean Storr ’22 turned away 28, including 12 in the second period. Storr has started all six games and owns a 1.84 goals against average and .929 save percentage.
Hamilton grabbed a 1-0 lead with 6:08 left in the first period and just 12 seconds into its first power play. Philpott wound up for what looked like a one-timer from above the right circle, but instead it was a hard pass to Gellerman, who was set up near the left post. He redirected the puck into the open net and completed the sharp play.
The Continentals were well on their way to their fifth straight win against Williams after they scored three goals in the second period. Hamilton made it 2-0 at 2:16 of the period. Gellerman intercepted a clearing attempt along the right-side boards and passed to Sean Thomson ’23 at the blue line. Thomson’s shot was tipped by Hawkins in the low slot.
The Continentals received a break 9:06 into the period when one of the Ephs was sent to the penalty box with a five-minute major for contact to the head. Hamilton took advantage 67 seconds later and increased its lead to three goals. Philpott’s blast from the point was tipped near the edge of the crease by Hawkins past Sandquist for his second goal and fifth point this season. Philpott leads the team with six helpers.
Gellerman made it 4-0 on a great individual effort with 2:48 remaining in the period. He blocked a shot above the left faceoff circle, collected the loose puck and skated down to the other end of the ice. Gellerman scored his team-leading fifth goal on a wrist shot from above the dot in the right faceoff circle.
Owen Stadheim spoiled Storr’s shutout bid with a power-play goal at 3:46 of the third period. Storr made six saves in the final 16 minutes and preserved the road win.
The Continentals won’t be back on the ice until New Year’s Day when they take on the hosts in Norwich University’s 2022 Northfield Savings Bank Holiday Tournament at 7 p.m.
