BOWDOIN COLLEGE defenseman Jay Livermore (18, top) makes a pass with pressure coming from University of Southern Maine’s Demetri Sakaris (14) during a men’s hockey game at Watson Arena on Tuesday. Above, Bowdoin’s Harry Matheson (12) tries to control the puck from his knees with USM’s Brad McGovern (17) and Jon Grandinetti (7) applying the pressure. Matheson had two goals and an assist in Bowdoin’s 5-1 win.
BOB CONN / THE TIMES RECORD
But, Bowdoin put all that aside in the second period, generating five goals en route to a 5- 1 victory.
The win gives the Polar Bears a 16-1-1 mark, with 10 days off before hosting NESCAC rival Amherst on Feb. 1.
Quick strikes
Twice against USM (6-12), Bowdoin tallied quick markers to seize control, and received solid stops from netminder Steve Messina, who finished with 23 saves.
John McGinnis tied the game for Bowdoin at 4:47 of the middle frame, and Harry Matheson tallied two goals and an assist.
“They play a very conservative game, very disciplined and tight, and you really have to work hard, and you could see how they packed it in and played their defensive style,” said Bowdoin College coach Terry Meagher of the Huskies.
Bowdoin had two early power plays, but Huskies starting netminder Pat Farrington made 13 first-period saves, and Grandinetti fired a wrister past a screened Messina with 5:24 remaining in the opening period for a 1-0 USM lead. Sam Guimond and Angelo Vrachnas each earned an assist.
Bowdoin drove hard to the net throughout the second period, with McGinnis’ hard work paying off with the tying goal. Connor Quinn and Ollie Koo assisted.
“The first goal was important and got the wheels going,” said McGinnis of his tying goal. “Everyone marks Bowdoin on their schedule, and they came out hard on us. The last weekend was very big, beating Middlebury. It is very exciting this season. We have some swag and confidence right now.”
Robert Toczylowski and Matheson scored 1:11 apart at the midway point of the second for a 3-1 Bowdoin lead.
Messina turned aside Grandinetti on a 3-on-1 break moments later, and goals by Downey and Matheson in a 19- second span late in the frame gave the Polar Bears a 5-1 lead.
“They always play us hard,” said Matheson, who finished with two goals and an assist and praised linemates Daniel Weiniger (two assists) and Colin Downey (assist). “My linemates are so good and create chances for everyone.”
“Their goalie made some good saves, and we had to really work hard to score that power-play goal,” said USM coach Jeff Beaney. “We’re very young and a little banged up. We have to learn to get the puck out into safer areas and slow the game down.”
In the third period, Bowdoin protected its lead, receiving 10 saves from Messina, including a left-pad stop on Vrachnas and a stick save on Matt MacDonald.
Farrington turned aside 21 shots and allowed all five Bowdoin goals before being relieved by Josh Hillegas, who made 12 saves.
Bowdoin 5, USM 1
At Sidney J. Watson Arena
USM— 100—1
Bowdoin— 050—5
First period — 1. (USM) Jon Grandinetti
(Sam Guimond, Angelo Vrachnas), pp,
14:36. Penalties — (USM) Chad O’Brien,
hooking, :15; (USM) Daniel Mattsson,
interference, 5:54; (B) Jay Livermore,
cross checking, 13:18.
Second period — 2. (B) John McGinnis
(Connor Quinn, Ollie Koo), 4:47; 3. (B)
Robert Toczylowski (Danny Palumbo,
Matt Rubinoff), 8:38; 4. (B) Harry Matheson (Daniel Weiniger), 9:49; 5. (B) Colin
Downey (Harry Matheson, Daniel
Weiniger), 16:30; 6. (B) Harry Matheson
(Ryan Carney, Tim McGarry), 16:49.
Penalties — None.
Third period — No scoring. Penalty —
(B) Tim McGarry, hooking, 8:53.
Shots on goal — USM 8-6-10—24; Bowdoin 13-13-12—38.
Saves — (USM) Pat Farrington 21, Josh
Hillegas 12; (B) Steve Messina 23.
Power play — USM 1-2; Bowdoin 0-2.
Records — Bowdoin 16-1-1; USM 6-12.
Next for the Polar Bears — Bowdoin
hosts Amherst on Feb. 1 (7 p.m.) and
Hamilton on Feb. 2 (3 p.m.).
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