ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Elmira College men’s ice hockey picked up another win on Saturday afternoon, beating Johnson & Wales on the road by a final of 5-2. Janis Vizbelis ’24, Nathan Young ’25, Jared Smith ’24, Jordan Gonzalez ’24, and Bailey Krawczyk ’24 all found the back of the net for the Soaring Eagles, while Ryan Reifler ’24 and Shawn Kennedy ’24 tallied two assists a piece.
In goal, Jeffrey Zero ’23 started for the Purple & Gold, making 29 saves during the match.
JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: No. 5 Elmira 5, Johnson & Wales 2
LOCATION: Attleboro, Mass. | New England Sports Village
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (17-5-1, 10-5-1 NEHC), Johnson & Wales (5-16-2, 2-13-1 NEHC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Soaring Eagles struck first on a Vizbelis goal at the 12:59 mark in the first period, giving him his 13 goal of the season. Kennedy and Nicholas Domitrovic ’24 were credited with assists for the goal.
- Neither team scored for the rest of the period, and Elmira took a 1-0 advantage into the first intermission. Just over four minutes into the second, The Soaring Eagles doubled their lead thanks to Young finding the back of the net for the second time this season. Reifler set up the goal for the Purple & Gold, and they led 2-0 early in the second period.
- Elmira did not take long to add another, scoring again just 50 seconds after its previous goal. This time, a Smith goal gave EC a comfortable 3-0 advantage at the 4:56 mark in the second. Kennedy and Chance Gorman ’24 tallied assists on the goal for Elmira.
- EC continued its offensive onslaught with a power play goal less than four minutes later, scoring 8:40 into the second period. Now it was Gonzalez beating the goalie, giving him his ninth goal of the season. Reifler and Kennedy each picked up their second assist of the afternoon on the goal. These two assists gave Kennedy a team-leading 20 on the season.
- EC went into the third period retaining that 4-0 lead. However, three minutes into the final period, the Wildcats got one back, putting them on the board and making it a 4-1 game.
- Johnson & Wales scored again at the 12:32 mark, cutting Elmira’s lead to two with just under seven and a half minutes left in the match.
- The Soaring Eagles were able to hold off the Wildcats, and with just over a minute left in the game, Krawczyk sealed the victory for the Purple & Gold with an unassisted goal, giving Elmira a 5-2 win.
UP NEXT:
The Soaring Eagles return to the Murray Athletic Center for their final two home games of the regular season next weekend, beginning with a Friday evening clash against the Thoroughbreds of Skidmore College on February 9 at 7:00 p.m.
