Tigers Unable to Hold Off Charging Bulldogs

Photo by Ben Rosales

PRINCETON - Fourth-ranked Yale rallied from a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Princeton men's hockey team 7-4 on Friday night at Hobey Baker Rink. Princeton skated to a 4-1 lead early in the second period before Yale closed the game with six straight goals.

Princeton opened the scoring and built a 2-0 lead before Yale's first goal. Mark Magnowski had Princeton's first goal ay 8:29 of the first period when he redirected a Taylor Fedun point shot as the team's skated four aside. Magnowski's seventh of the season was also assisted by Mike Kramer. Marc Hagel made it 2-0 at 11:23 with his fifth goal as Kevin Lohry found him on the far post for a one-timer. Jody Pederson also had an assist.

Yale cut the lead in half at 14:11 when Sean Backman scored his first of the game unassisted on the power play, but Princeton regained the lead with 1:26 left in the frame as Jody Pederson netted his third of the season off a blast from the right side after Brodie Zuk slid him the puck.

Princeton made its lead 4-1 four minutes into the second period when Michael Sdao finished a 2 on 1 for his fifth of the year after Kramer fed him a pass on the doorstep. Dan Bartlett started the play in the defensive zone by getting the puck to Kramer.

Yale moved within two goals midway through the period when Backman netted his second of the game from the right circle and Mark Arcobello got Yale within one at 14:25 when he scored on the power play. Brian O'Neill drew Yale even with 2:27 left in the second as O'Neill redirected Backman's shot in the crease.

Yale quickly took its first lead 10 seconds into the third period as Broc Little redirected an Arcobello from the post and Antoine Laganiere made it 6-4 two minutes later when Kevin Limbert spring him on a breakaway. Laganiere's second goal at 9:14 of the period closed the scoring.

Yale outshot Princeton 33-27. Nick Maricic had 23 saves, while Zane Kalemba suffered the loss with 22 saves. Mike Condon made four saves in relief.

Princeton dropped to 11-14-3 overall and 7-12-2 in the ECAC with the loss, while Yale sewed up the ECAC regular season championship with the victory.

Princeton will host Brown Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m., still with a chance to claim home ice for next weekend's ECAC playoffs. Princeton, Brown and Dartmouth are all tied for ninth in the standings, a single point behind ninth-place Harvard.