Hockey riding high on back to back victories

After returning from break only to lose at Middlebury and extend a five game winless streak, the men's hockey team had a newfound intensity and vigor as it defeated Williams 7-4 and Connecticut College 7-3 for its first back-to-back wins of the season. The wins moved the team's record to 3-3-2 heading into this weekend's action.

Riding high after defeating NESCAC rival Williams, the Jumbos rolled into Connecticut College and took care of business. After trailing 2-1 midway through the first period, the team rallied with three goals from three different players. Sophomore forward John Hurd, freshman forward Matt McCarthy, and junior forward Pat Byrne. Byrne and McCarthy each finished the game with two goals apiece. Freshman forward Rich Baker and sophomore forward Matt Kniaz each added tallies of their own, the first of the season for each.

Defensively, it was a solid effort all around. Although the team was outshot for the third game in a row, goaltender Ben Crapser was just the backstop the Jumbos needed as he posted his third straight 40 save performance with 41 saves on 44 shots. His performance helped elevate Tufts to 7th in the NESCAC, while dropping the 2-4-1 Camels to 9th.

"Ben has played great," Murphy said. "He's like a different goaltender out there from the beginning of the year."

Crapser's great performance in the Connecticut College game was carried over from the Williams game two nights previous. In Tufts' 7-4 win, Crapser made 45 saves on 49 shots as the Jumbos were outshot 49-24.

But Crapser did not hog the entire spotlight. Hurd had a hat trick and senior captain and leading point-getter Mike Carceo did more than his share by notching four assists. The floodgates opened as the Jumbos went on a scoring spree of 5 goals in the second period. Sullivan, Byrne, McCarthy and freshman Remy Bickoff added goals as well to help the Jumbos notch their first win over the Ephs since 1986. Williams is now 4-5-1.

At Middlebury, the first game back from break for the squad, the Jumbos were unable to capitalize on chances as they would later on against Williams. The game was tied up midway through the second period after a Hurd one-timer goal, assisted by McCarthy.

Down 3-1 after two periods, Byrne cut it to 3-2 with a goal early in the third. But that, combined with Crapser's 46 saves, would not be enough as defensive lapses and penalties would lead to a 6-2 Middlebury triumph.

"Last year, Middlebury killed us," Hurd said. "This year, we were pumped up, we played with them, but we let down at the end."

Coach Murphy shared those sentiments, but added that some good could be taken from the loss.

"On the road in the NESCAC, every game is tough," he said. "We were disappointed with that loss, but we felt we played hard, and that kind of effort carried us through the next two games."

The Jumbos have gained their confidence back after two big league wins.

"The Williams and Connecticut College games were two must wins," Sullivan said. "We did what we had to do, and now we hope we've set the tone for the rest of the season."

The Jumbos go on the road again this weekend as they face off against 1-6-1 Massachusetts College on Friday and 1-9-1 Skidmore on Saturday. But the team sees it as business as usual, even though it is facing struggling opponents.

"We have to keep playing with the same intensity we have been," Byrne said. "If we do that, we can play with anyone in this league. This weekend, we just need to play within our system to come out on top."

"Massachusetts College is legendary for how they play in their home rink," Murphy said. "Skidmore is tough at home too. Both those games should be battles."

With its 3-3-2 record, and 3-3-1 record in the league, Tufts is now tied with Amherst for seventh in the NESCAC. With a lot more hockey left to be played, the Jumbos know they are in control of how they are perceived in this league.

"We're satisfied with our play so far," Hurd said. "But it will be these upcoming games that will prove if we can quiet the haters."