NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Junior
Brandon Shantz (San Antonio, Texas) made 35 saves, but #12 Hamilton College skated past Plymouth State University, 4-0, in the opening game of the Northfield Savings Bank Holiday Tournament hosted by Norwich University at Kreitzberg Arena on Friday evening.
The Continentals advance to face the winner of Williams College and the host Cadets in tomorrow's championship game, while Plymouth State will square off against the loser in a consolation game set for 3:30 p.m.
Playing for the first time in a month, the Panthers surrendered an early goal, and Hamilton added a pair of second period tallies to take control. PSU attempted to rally in the third period, but the Continentals maintained the lead before closing out the scoring in the final seconds.
Plymouth State slides to 7-4-0, while the Continentals, ranked 12th in the latest USCHO.com poll, go to 7-3-0.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, #12 Hamilton 4
- Plymouth State (7-4-0)
- #12 Hamilton (7-3-0)
How it Happened:
- Hamilton got on the board just 1:26 into the first period, finishing the frame with an 18-8 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Continentals cashed in midway through the second to double the lead, then added a rebound goal with less than two minutes in the frame to carry a 3-0 lead into the third.
- Hamilton capped the scoring in the final seconds to skate into tomorrow's finals.
By the Numbers:
- Shantz's 35 stops were the second most of his career, trailing just a 42-save effort in December of 2022.
- Hamilton held a 39-20 edge in shots.
- Neither team was successful on the power play. PSU was held scoreless in two chances, while the Panthers' penalty kill unit held Hamilton to 0-for-3.
- Freshman Matt Hale (Center Harbor, N.H.) had a team-high three shots, while sophomore Severi Sulonen (Turku, Finland) blocked a pair of shots.
- The game was the first ever meeting between the two teams.
Up Next:
- PSU squares off against the loser of tonight's other semifinal between Norwich and Williams in the consolation game tomorrow (Jan. 4) at 3:30 p.m.
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