Bates College Men's Ice Hockey

After a slow start in NECHA play, Bates has come on as of late by winning four in a row over the past two weeks. After defeating American Conference foes Bridgewater State (twice) and MIT, the Bobcats took down Bryant University 8-6 in Underhill Arena on Sunday, December 13.

Cam Chaput '12 helped the Bobcats start the game on the right note as he coasted end-to-end against a porous Bryant defense before Wes Chaput '10 cleaned up a rebound for a goal just 3:13 after the opening puck drop.

Wes Chaput '10 struck again late in the first period after a long shift with the aid of a no look pass from Mike Massare '12 who ended a season long point drought. Bates took a 2-0 advantage into the lockers after the first frame.

Bates came out for the second period firing on all cylinders. Mike Massare '12 began to heat up as he fed Charley Stern '13, who fired a one-timer slapshot through the five-hole.

Just 1:26 later, Andrew Berry '13 found the puck in the slot and deposited the biscuit in the basket to record his first points as a Bobcat.

Mike Massare '12 made the score 5-0 Bates as he ripped a wrist shot high over the helpless goalie's glove. It was his first goal of the season and third point of the game. John Harwood '13 assisted on the play to notch his first point wearing the garnet and white.

Bryant University answered with a goal of their own, but Bates found the best defense to be a potent offense. Cam Chaput '12 tallied his first goal and third point of the day while displaying great athleticism after Andre Gobbo '13 used his hulk-like stature to win the puck in the corner and thread a pass to the slot. With this final goal of the period, Bates scored an impressive four goals in a span of 3:50 and took a 6-1 lead to the dressing rooms after two periods.

Although Bryant came out shooting in the third period, Joe Dell'Erario '13 continued to make big saves to bail out a number of defensive lapses. Bryant struck twice quickly to cut the lead to 6-3 before Wes Chaput '10 finished his hat trick. The goal was his 13th of the season and 10th in league play, an American Conference high.

Bryant scored three more goals in the third period to fight their way back into the game. Sandwiched between a few Bryant goals was another blast from Charley Stern '13, who booked a one-way ticket to the top shelf for his puck. The goal was his second of the game. Sam Boyer '10 and Miles Davee '11 had multi-point games, with three and two assists respectively.

Joe Dell'Erario '13 (2-0) made 48 saves for the Bobcats, who move to 4-2 in league play and 5-2 overall.

Final score: Bates College 8, Bryant University 6
Scoring:
1st period / 3:13 - W. Chaput (11) from C. Chaput, M. Davee
1st period / 17:40 - W. Chaput (12) from M. Massare, S. Boyer
2nd period / 3:42 - C. Stern, (3) from M. Massare, S. Boyer
2nd period / 5:08 - A. Berry (1) from C. Chaput, W. Chaput
2nd period / 6:30 - M. Massare (1) from J. Harwood
2nd period / 7:32 - C. Chaput (5) from A. Gobbo
3rd period / 5:31 - W. Chaput (13) from A. Berry, M. Davee
3rd period / 6:51 - C. Stern (4) from S. Boyer