Waterville, Maine- The Men's Ice Hockey Team played against Tufts University for the NESCAC Quarterfinals this Sunday afternoon. With the #1 seed, the Mules were looking to defeat Tufts and to host next weekend's NESCAC Semifinal and Championship games.
 
Despite the Mules being outshot 7-4 in the first period, Brian Sanzone would start the scoring for the Mules, with John McElaney collecting his first of four points on the night with an assist, setting up Sanzone with a wide-open net to give the Mules a 1-0 lead just 9:12 into the game. Four minutes later in front of a crowded net, Tufts would be able to get the puck past goaltender Andy Beran to tie the game at one goal apiece. The Mules would go into the next period of play looking to take the lead against the Jumbos.
 
The Mules drew a slashing penalty from Tuft just 36 seconds into the second frame and would take advantage of the man-up opportunity with John McElaney scoring his first goal of the night, Jack Sullivan and Justin Grillo tallying assists. Keeping the momentum going, the Mules tallied another goal just over three minutes later. Jacob Thousand would score in front of the net, with Drew Burke and Michael Thomas finding the score sheet with assists. Two quick goals early in the period gave the Mules the momentum they would need to stay on top of the Jumbos, only allowing three shots on Beran for the whole period. Colby would enter the last period of play with a 3-1 lead over Tufts.
 
The Mules would go to the penalty kill early in the third period but would not allow a single shot on goal during those two minutes. John McElaney would score his second goal of the game after Nick Stapleton intercepted the puck just below the blue line, sending it over to Quinn Doyle, who found an open McElaney, giving the Mules a 4-1 lead with just over fifteen minutes to play. Keeping the momentum going in the Mules' direction, the Jumbos would have no luck breaking through Beran this period, despite getting ten shots on goal. Junior Carter Breitenfeldt would solidify the win for the Mules, scoring 15:34 into the third period, John McElaney and Jake Klein getting assists. The Mules emphatically won 5-1 over the Jumbos and will now host the NESCAC Semifinals and Championship games.
 
Beran finished the game with nineteen saves, McElaney would finish with a game-high of four points, and Sullivan had a game-high +5 in the win.
 
The Mules will play in Waterville, Maine at the Jack Kelley rink next Saturday, March 5, at 4:30 PM against #5 Hamilton College.