WATERVILLE, Maine - The Colby College Men's Ice Hockey team fell to the Trinity College Bantams 4-1. The Mules move to 7-12-3 overall (3-11-2 NESCAC).

GAME NOTES: Before the Saturday showdown, Colby honored the eight seniors of the team. The senior class consists of Andrew Tucci, Mark Leprine, Paddy Daley, Spencer Hewson, Kienan Scott, Robert Cerepak, J.P. Schuhlen, and Connor Krause. The introductions from today's ceremony can be found below.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE MULES:

• Paddy Daley (photo inset) scored his goal of the season at 8:46 of the first period. Jacob Thousand assisted on the goal.
• Andrew Tucci finished with 28 saves in goal for Colby.
• Michael Thomas and Carter Breitenfeldt led the team with 4 shots each.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE BANTAMS:

• Barclay Gammill tied the game in the second frame at 4:13. Eric Benshadle and Lucas Michaud assisted on the tying goal.
• Riley Prattson scored the unassisted goal at 6:01 of the final frame.
• Conor Sudquist added to the lead at 8:35. Michaud and Timothy Weinstein moved the puck into the zone for the assists.
• With 26 seconds remaining in the game, Cole Poliziani rocketed in the empty net power play goal. Liam Feeney and Weinstein helped seal the deal with the assists.

KEY STATS:

• The Bantams took control of shots leading the Mules, 32-27.
• On the faceoffs, Trinity controlled 35 of 53.

QUOTE: "We played a very good game today.  Going into the third period 1-1 was what we were hoping for with one of the best teams in the country.  Trinity had a couple of net front dirty goals and we had some great chances but hit a post and didn't finish," said the Jack Kelley Head Coach for Colby's Men's Hockey Blaise MacDonald.

BIOS: (Taken from pregame ceremony)

Senior Captain, Forward, from Saddle River, New Jersey, #20 Robert Cerepak. Rob is joined by his parents Brad, Lisa, and younger brother William. Robert attended the Gunnery School and had stops with the Connecticut Jr. Rangers, Kalkaska Rhinos, and Florida Eels of the USPHL prior to his arrival at Colby. He will graduate with a degree in Economics: Financial Markets and Biology this May. A reliable forward and penalty killing machine, Robert ends his Colby career playing in 58 games, posting 2 goals, 3 assists, for a total of 5 points. 

Forward, #4 Paddy Daley. Paddy's hometown is Sudbury, Massachusetts, and is joined today by his mother Stacey, father Patrick, and sisters Ryanne and Shannon. Prior to his time at Colby, Paddy attended the Rivers School and played one season with the East Coast Wizards of the EHL. He will graduate with a degree in Economics: Financial Markets. One of the hardest working members of the program, Paddy will sacrifice himself for the betterment of the team. Whether blocking shots, adding a spark with his play and attitude, or taking a hit to make a play, Paddy brings up those around him. Tallying 1 goal on the season to finish his Colby career with 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points in 47 games played.

From Vernon, British Columbia, your captain, #7 Spencer Hewson. The son of Stephanie and Richard Spencer is also joined by his fiancé Chelsea Clark. Spencer came to Colby after a four year stint with the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL. A 2018 NESCAC All-Academic selection, Spencer will graduate from Colby one year early in May with a degree in Philosophy and minor in Managerial Economics. A competitive, cerebral forward, who leadership will leave a stamp on this program, Spencer compiled 11 goals and 28 assists for 39 points in 71 career games as a Mule.

Defenseman #41, Connor Krause. A product of St. Louis, MO, Connor is the son of Rodney and Tracy Krause. Connor will graduate in May with a major in Economics: Financial Markets. Connor attended the Lawrenceville School prior to Colby. Over his career at Colby, Connor made an impact in ways that don't necessarily reflect on a scoresheet. He brings energy, work ethic, and builds team comradery. Connor exemplifies what it means to be a great teammate and Colby Hockey Man each day. The tall, lengthy forward-converted-defenseman has played in two career games as a Mule.  

Senior defenseman, #3 Mark Leprine. From New Fairfield, CT, Mark is joined today by his parents Carolyn and Richard, Sister Ashley, Brother-In-Law Matthias, and nephew Caleb. A diligent student and 2017 All NESCAC Academic selection, Mark will graduate in May with a degree in Economics: Financial Markets and minor in Environmental Studies. Attending Christian Brothers College High School, and playing for the New York Applecore and Connecticut Jr. Rangers of the USPHL prior to his time at Colby. He has added 1 goal, and 11 assists in 20 games played this season which is tied for the team lead. He has been an offensive spark within the defensive core, and has improved each year as a Mule. Mark wraps up his Colby career with 2 goals and 29 assists for 31 points in 76 career games.

A forward from Longmeadow, MA #26 J.P. Schuhlen. J.P. is joined today by his mother Lynn DeNucci, father Kevin Schuhlen, and grandmother, who has attended all but 5 games over J.P's four year career, Lorraine Schuhlen. J.P. attended the Westminser School before his time at Colby. J.P. will graduate with a degree in Psychology and minor in Managerial Economics this May. A player who puts his body on the line whether blocking shots or making hits, J.P. sacrifices himself for the betterment of the team. This season J.P. leads the Mules in scoring with 3 goals, 9 assists, for 12 points, and has compiled 18 goals, 23 assists for 41 points in 86 games played through his 4 year career. 

Coming from Spokane, Washington is forward, #11 Kienan Scott. He is joined by his parents Kelly and Ian Scott. Kienan comes to Colby from Okanagan Prep and a two year stint with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL. Highly academically driven, Kienan is a two time All-NESCAC Academic Selection and has maintained a 3.85 GPA through is four years at Colby. He will graduate with a degree in Economics: Financial Markets and minor in philosophy.  Kienan has had quite the career at Colby, highlighted by the team lead in scoring his sophomore year with 27 points during the Mule's 2017 NCAA Final Four run. Over his career, Kienan has compiled 24 goals, 31 assists, for 55 points in 94 games played.  

From Toronto, ON, your senior goaltender, #1 Andrew Tucci. Andrew is joined by his mother Mary Tucci and step-father Ray Deveau.  Andrew will graduate this may with a degree in philosophy, while minoring in Italian Studies and Managerial Economics. Last season, Tucci was named the NCAA Divivsion 3 goaltender of the week December 12th, after posting 3 consecutive shutouts compiling 83 total saves. Andrew has carried the load in net this season stopping 423 shots, posting a .908 save percentage, and 2.86 goals against average. Over his career Tucci has played in 54 games, stopping 1434 shots with a save percentage of .911 and goals against average of 2.63. 

NEXT MATCHUP: The Mules now will finish the regular season on the road, first travelling to Tufts University (2/21). Game time is set for 7:00pm.

 (Photo courtesy of Calvin Wetmore '20)