Overtime Bench Minor Dooms Wilkes Men's Ice Hockey against Elmira

WILKES-BARRE – A too many men bench minor at 2:37 of overtime proved to be the difference as the Wilkes University men's ice hockey team dropped its United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) game with Elmira College 4-3 at the Toyota SportsPlex on Friday evening.

The Colonels fell to 3-3-0 both overall and in conference while Elmira improved to 5-2-1 overall, 4-1-1 in UCHC play.

Elmira scored 1:09 into the ensuing 4-on-3 power play (3:46 OT) to secure the victory following the Wilkes infraction being spotted by the officials.

Phil Erickson (Eau Claire, WI) got the Colonels on the board at 9:52 of the first period with assists from Charlie Spetz (Oak Ridge, NJ) and Tyler Barrow (Massapequa, NY). The Soaring Eagles knotted the score at 12:04 of the first with a goal from Shawn Kennedy, assisted by Bailey Krawczyk.

Nick Fea (Oak Ridge, NJ) gave Wilkes the lead again at 16:42 of the first period with helpers from Donald Flynn (Randolph, NJ) and Tyler Dill (South Lake Tahoe, CA) as the Colonels exited the first with a 2-1 lead.

Elmira tied the score at 1:55 of the second period when Jared Smith scored from Chance Gorman and Ryan Reifler.

Scott Mueller (Mount Juliet, TN) gave Wilkes the lead once again at 4:32 of the third assisted by Flynn and Fea, but the Soaring Eagles came right back with a power-play tally at 5:46 following a tripping minor called on the Colonels at 4:53. Regulation ended with both teams tied at three before the events in the five minute three-on-three overtime unfolded, sending Wilkes home with the defeat.

Michael Paterson-Jones (Baldwinsville, NY) stopped 24-of-28 shots for the Colonels while Chris Janzen backstopped the Soaring Eagles to the victory with 46 saves on 49 shots.

Wilkes dominated in the face-off circle, winning 61.5 percent (48-of-78) of the draws.

The Colonels return to action tomorrow when they travel to Elmira for a 7:00 p.m. UCHC rematch.