Saturday's game did not begin well for Middlebury with Conn scoring a powerplay goal at 3:52 of the 1st. Paiva was digging in the right corner, Igo got the puck to the gloveside of Panther goalie Kan's crease and Floresca jammed the puck home from the top of the crease. I am sure thoughts of the 1st Friday crossed Panther parent thoughts. Camel goalie Chester was not helping either, as she continued her stellar early season work, stoning a Midd 2x1 and Sherman from the slot with Wulf lurking to her stickside at 16:02. Conn closed the period with heavy pressure on the Panther goal,with Kan active in net poke stick checking several inside passes. The 2nd saw both goalies standing fast. Chester robbed Winslow at 13: and Han was tested, making a blocker stop on a drive from the slot minutes later. The Panthers ground out the tying goal when Sheline worked the puck in the right corner, Wulf found some space and moved left into the slot, her shot handcuffed Chester enabling Young to swoop in from the stickside of the crease, putting the puck in up glovside. The 3rd provided Middlebury with a 5x3 opportunity and the Panthers cashed in the winning goal. Following a face off in the left circle, Winslow came off the half boards and fed across to Young at right point; Young sent the puck to Watson on left point; Watson walked the puck right and her low slap shot got on net and was in. Young skated away for an insurance empty net goal as Hlinka grabbed the puck and broke Young through the neutral zone and in free ahead of the D for a tap in.
My impression is I was rewarded with the hockey I hoped to see this weekend. Conn College is legit. They play a grind and grind style and were particularly effortless in breaking out of their D zone. Chester has opened the season going 119/123 in 4 games against Amherst and Middlebury: having seen her this weekend she may be that good. The Camels need to stay calm and focused and win. They did that Friday night; I thought you could see a small return to the ways of past seasons during the 3rd period Saturday (particularly the penalty resulting in the second penalty of the Midd 5x3 leading to the Watson goal). Conn looks well balanced and will beat lots of teams in a variety of ways. That said, their strength of schedule will probably prevent them from receiving anything but the NESCAC autobid.
Middlebury is improved this season and showed they are ready to skate with anyone at the Panther/Cardinal. Their first years have some size and have made early season contributions. The Panthers showed some grit falling behind and coming back to win Saturday. Their win Saturday means the race for the regular season NESCAC title will wind on into the new year (a Conn win and the 2-0 record against both Amherst and Middlebury would have been a lead no team was likely to overtake) and, with a successful season, the Panthers will be in the hunt for a Pool "C" bid should the NESCAC bid elude them.
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