Maine Hockey Journal

Colby earns bounce back victory against Amherst

(PHOTO: Colby College)

(PHOTO: Colby College)

Devin Albert scored three goals and the Colby College men’s hockey team bounced back from a tough loss Friday for a 5-2 victory over Amherst College in NESCAC play Saturday at Alfond Rink.

The Mules improve to 5-5-3 overall and 3-4-1 in the conference, while the Jeffs drop to 3-5-4 and 2-2-3 in the league. Colby came into the game after falling at home to Hamilton College on Friday night.

The teams went into the third period with a 2-2 tie. Colin Reilly scored his first goal of the season and it turned out to be the game-winning score at 2:26 of the third. Kevin Doherty had his first assist and Jack Burton his sixth on the play. Reilly came in from the right side and cut in at the face-off circle to create the shot and goal.

The Mules got some breathing room just 2:05 later on Mario Benicky’s second goal of the year. Colby put extended pressure on the Jeffs in Amherst’s zone before the goal. Michael Rudolf and EJ Rauseo had assists on the score.

With 4:46 to play, Albert got his hat trick and his eighth goal in nine games. Cam MacDonald had a wraparound attempt and Nick O’Connor had the first shot attempt before Albert banged home the rebound.

Albert started the scoring with 16 minutes left in the opening period. The Mules were on the power play and a delayed penalty on Amherst brought out another Colby player. The Mules got to the front of the net and Albert scored from Geoff Sullivan and Michael Decker.

Amherst tied the game at 1-1 on Brendan Burke’s first goal of the year from Patrick Arena and Kevin Ryder at 6:52 of the opening period. Burke came in from the right side and beat goalie Emerson Verrier.

Albert scored his second goal at 13:24 of the first period from MacDonald and Sullivan. MacDonald and O’Connor had a good forecheck after the puck was dumped into the Amherst zone. Albert was left alone in the slot and buried the shot.

The Jeffs had the lone goal of the second period to tie it at 2-2 on Burke’s second score of the game. Ryder had his second assist of the contest and Thomas Lindstrom dished his seventh assist. Ryder was behind the net and made a spin move to get out in front, where he found Burke for the score.

Verrier made a big save with 57 seconds left in the second period on an Amherst two-on-one opportunity. He finished with 23 saves, including 12 in the second period. David Cunningham made 30 stops for Amherst.

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