WATERVILLE – It wasn’t so much a dominant second period that lifted Bowdoin College to a 6-2 victory against Colby in a men’s hockey game Friday night. It was a dominant few minutes.

Holding a one-goal lead, the Polar Bears scored three goals, two in 13 seconds, in a 21/2-minute flurry late in the second period at Alfond Rink.

“We’re a rhythm and flow team, and if we get into a rhythm we can do things, and I think in the second period that was the difference,” Bowdoin Coach Terry Meagher said.

The teams will resume their rivalry tonight at Sid Watson Arena in Brunswick.

Cory McGrath of Colby (1-4) scored on a rebound at 8:48 of the second period to cut the Polar Bears’ lead to 2-1, but the Mules, who never led, couldn’t get closer.

Robert Toczylowski slipped a goal over Colby keeper Matt Delaney, who was sprawled on the ice, at 15:17 to give Bowdoin (3-1-1) a 3-1 lead.

Thirteen seconds later, Alec Root’s goal made it 4-1.

The Polar Bears added a Tim Coffey goal at 17:48 of the second, and capped the scoring when Rob MacGregor beat Delaney 5:42 into the third.

“We were contesting pucks in a good way. We were getting into transition,” Meagher said. “We just found a rhythm and sometimes that’s tough to do against a well-coached team in a tight building.”

The Mules’ best chance to climb back into the game came in the opening minutes of the third period when they had a five-on-three power play. Bowdoin killed the advantage.

Scott Harff scored with 24 seconds left in the game for the Mules.

The Polar Bears peppered Delaney throughout the game, taking 45 shots. Delaney made 39 saves. Richard Nerland made 26 stops for Bowdoin.

Ryan Carney’s goal at 13:29 of the first period gave Bowdoin a 1-0 lead. The Polar Bears made it 2-0 when Danny Palumbo scored on a breakaway at 7:27 of the second.

John McGinnis had three assists for Bowdoin. Jordan Lalor had two assists for the Polar Bears.