Men's Hockey: Lohry goals help Princeton earn split

Princeton (11-6-1 overall, 7-4-1 ECAC Hockey) struggled against the Big Red (6-8-1, 4-4-0) throughout the game on Friday. The Tigers maintained possession of the puck throughout most of the match but were unable to convert their many opportunities.

“I thought we played a pretty solid game” senior forward and co-captain Kevin Lohry said. “We didn’t get the bounces we wanted”

The hosts had two power play chances during the first period but couldn’t convert during either. The Tigers outshot Cornell 14-3 throughout the period but the Big Red resisted the offensive onslaught.

The Tigers’ luck worsened during the second period when a tripping penalty on senior forward and co-captain Matt Arhontas gave Cornell their first advantage of the match. Only 20 seconds into the Big Red power play a shot by Matthieu Brisson was deflected into the goal by Sean Collins.

Cornell continued to withstand Princeton’s attack until the end of the third period.

With two minutes left in the game, freshman forward Andrew Calof took the puck from behind the Princeton net and pushed up the ice. He sent a shot off a defender’s skate, deflecting the puck into the Cornell goal to tie the game at 1-1.

The Princeton rally, however, went for naught when Cornell defenseman Nick D’Agostino responded with the game winning goal 30 seconds later. D’Agostino flew up the right side of the ice and returned his own rebounded shot into the goal to solidify the Cornell victory.

Throughout the game Princeton was unable to convert on any of its four power plays. The Tigers outshot the Big Red 40-21 over the course of the game. Freshman goalie Sean Bonar saved 19 of 21 shots.

“They played a very disciplined defensive game and slowed down the pace a lot,” Lohry said. “It was hard to get any rhythm going.”

Sunday’s match against Colgate (3-16-1, 0-7-1), however, was a completely different game for the Tigers.

Both teams took advantage of several power play opportunities, and Princeton eventually held out for the win.

Senior co-captain Kevin Lohry drew first blood at one minute, 25 seconds. Lohry caught a pass up the right side of the ice and beat a defender for a goal and the first Princeton lead of the weekend. Sophomore forward Eric Meland and senior defenseman Matt Godlewski received assists for the goal.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

Colgate answered Princeton’s goal during a power play halfway into the first period. Forward Kurtis Bartliff flew up the right side of the ice and shot past sophomore goalie Mike Condon on the right side of the goal to tie the game 1-1.

With three minutes left in the first period, Colgate defenseman Jeremy Price snuck a pass behind the net to forward Francois Brisebois, who came around the edge to find the goal for the first Colgate lead of the game.

Princeton regained its momentum during the second period. The Tigers started with a 5-on-3 power play in which senior forward and co-captain Mike Kramer shot off the rebound between the goalie’s pads, finding the back of the net and tying the game 2-2.

Colgate retook the lead halfway through the second period when forward Nick Prockow chipped the puck over Condon’s head into the net.

Three minutes later the Tigers found themselves with another 5-on-3 power play. Meland got a shot off the rebound and tucked it back into the net for a 3-3 tie. Lohry’s later goal put the Tigers up for good.

Junior forward Brodie Zuk found the net at five minutes, 37 seconds into the third period. Condon ended the afternoon with 17 saves and the victory, holding off the Colgate attempts for a comeback.

“We got the looks we wanted and were able come through the way we should,” Lohry said. “I would have liked to have won both games this weekend, but you can always learn from your losses and build off of them.”

The Tigers take the ice again on Jan. 25 when they host Sacred Heart at Baker Rink.