MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Wesleyan freshman Elliott Vorel took a lead pass from sophomore Jaren Taenaka and wristed home a rising shot from the slot with 15 minutes remaining in the third period to even the score between the Cardinals and the visiting Wentworth Institute Leopards at 2-2, and the score stayed unchanged over the final 20 minutes of the contest including a five-minute overtime. For Vorel, it was his team-leading seventh goal of the year to go along with seven assists for 14 points. He now has scored at least one point in each of his six collegiate contests.
Wesleyan had gotten on the board first at 8:53 of the opening period when sophomore Alex Carlacci snapped off a rising shot from the left circle that hit the middle of the twine behind Wentworth junior keeper Alex Peck (Kirkland, Que.). Senior Keith Buehler set up the play with a pass to Carlacci.
The Leopards tied the score three minutes into the second period as freshman Joe Mottiqua (Cecil, Pa.) netted his second career goal, finishing off a scramble in front of Cardinal freshman netminder Dawson Springings. Getting the assist was freshman Devin Smith (Tewksbury, Mass.). With three minutes left in the second stanza, Wentworth grabbed the lead as senior Lawton McCracken (Colburne, Ont.) tallied his third of the season to tie for the team lead, slapping in a shot from the top of the left circle that hit the right pad of Springings but continued into the left corner of the goal for a 2-1 margin for the visitors. Assisting on the play were sophomore Stephen McManus (Westwood, Mass.) and junior Jordan Bourgonje (Spruce Grove, Alta.).
Shots barely favored Wentworth, 22-20, as both goalies were sharp on the day, stopping some dangerous attempts. Wentworth controlled the opening four minutes of the extra frame, getting off three near winners, only to be thwarted by Springings. In the final minute, Wesleyan mounted some serious pressure on Peck but he made two good saves to preserve the tie, the third in the 15-game series between the teams. Wesleyan holds a 7-5-3 overall series lead.
Wesleyan is back on the ice Sun., Dec. 1, hosting Salve Regina in another non-league contest. Wentworth skates again Sunday as well, playing at Trinity in non-conference action.
(Recap courtesy of Wesleyan Sports Information)
