Hamilton’s men’s hockey team opened up the 2017–18 season strong, going 3–0–1, tying their sole conference game after overtime. After last season’s first-place regular season finish, an appearance in the NESCAC finals, and a bid to the NCAA DIII playoffs, Hamilton’s men’s hockey team is stronger than ever. Last season’s star players return as seniors, as the Continentals are supported by phenomenal goaltender Evan Buitenhuis ’18, the 2017 Division III player of the year, and bolstered by offensive talents Neil Conway ’18 and Brandon Willett ’18. Going into the season, Hamilton’s team was ranked in the top 15 by both Division III polls. Rory Gagnon ’18 dominated his first four games with five goals, and Hamilton ranks second in at least four NESCAC categories.

Hamilton’s first game was against conference rival Amherst College (2–1–1, NESCAC 0–0–1) on Nov. 17 and was marked by a late Hamilton goal

to even out and end the game with a score of 2–2. Jason Brochu ’19 had the team’s first goal of the season just about six minutes into the first period, deflecting a shot from stand-out defenseman Bennett Morrison ’20. Amherst responded just two minutes later and then started the second period

with another goal. Nearly 30 minutes of play passed before the next goal, a Hamilton tally by Cameron Radziwon ’20, who was playing his first game at Hamilton after transferring this year from Division I Colgate University.

This is not the first time that Hamilton has benefitted from student athlete transfers from our neighbors to the south: Cat Berry ’19 broke four track and field school records in her first year after transferring from Colgate. The first of what will be many goals for Radziwon tied up the game late in the third and forced an overtime. Buitenhuis again backstopped the Continentals, giving Hamilton’s offense a chance in the 5-minute overtime by stopping 26 shots through 65 minutes. No one found the back of the net though, and the game ended in a tie.

Hamilton’s first home game of the season was a non-conference matchup against Stevenson University (5–2–2) on Nov. 19. Despite the empty campus due to Thanksgiving break, Hamilton shut out the Mustangs with a decisive 6–0 victory. Hamilton had a staggering 47 shots on goal, and the victory was all the more sweet because the Continentals started goaltender Anthony Tirabassi ’20 for the first time in his collegiate career; the New York native stopped all 29 of Stevenson’s shots. Jonny Stimola ’19 had the first goal of the night midway through the first period. His goal turned out to be the game-winning goal. Other goals came from Tyler Bruneteau ’18, Gagnon ’18 on the power play, two from Nick Ursitti ’20, and Willett. Conway picked up two assists, and Willett, Conway, and Sterling Bray ’20 led the team with five shots each. Bray, a promising forward in his second season at Hamilton, had 12 points in his first season and looks to be eager to find the back of the net again. The game was a rousing success for the Continentals and kicked off what would become an active three-game win streak.

Rory Gagnon, undoubtedly buoyed by the victory six days earlier, kicked up the drama for the Continentals’ next game against SUNY Canton (2–5–0), which was at Skidmore College’s campus for their Thanksgiving Invitational on Nov. 25. His three goals gave him a hat trick and the win, as Hamilton took the match 3–1. The sole assist of the game came from Bray, who fought in the corner to pass the puck to Gagnon, whose backhander beat the SUNY Canton goaltender high, glove-side. Sophomore net-minder Tirabassi again started the game and made 27 saves for his second win in as many starts. With the win, Hamilton advanced to play the Skidmore Thoroughbreds the next day in the final game of the invitational.

Hamilton’s game the next day against Skidmore (1–7–1) was another victory, and Hamilton secured the Thanksgiving Invitational Title with a score of 4–1. Buitenhuis was back in net for the Continentals, and stopped

an impressive 35 shots. Willett started the scoring in the first. His work in front of the net was commendable as he netted a rebound off of Morrison’s slapshot and Ursitti’s attempted tip-in. A quick Thoroughbred goal in the first tied up the game, but their scoring ended there, as Hamilton’s strong defensive play and quick back-checking kept Skidmore off the board. Rory Gagnon found himself in a one-on-one offensive situation late in the first and his quick shot found the back of the net for a 2–1 Continentals lead and his fourth goal of the tournament. This goal turned out to be the game-winner as well.

Bruneteau added an insurance goal in the second period off of a sharp pass from Brochu. Conway scored his first of the season, an empty-net goal, late in the third period to cement Hamilton’s lead. Both Bruneteau and Conway’s goals came on the power-play; Skidmore took seven minor penalties and Hamilton capitalized on two of those opportunities. Gagnon was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player for his four goals, and both of Hamilton’s goaltenders were named to the all-tournament team.

After four games, Hamilton is establishing itself as a dominant force in the conference for another year. Gagnon is tied for third in the NESCAC for points, but has played one less game than the two players above him. Hamilton has the second-best scoring defense and the second-best goals allowed per game, pointing to a rare combination of effective defense and an offense that can score.

Though there is a small sample size, Hamilton has the wonderful predicament of two outstanding goaltenders: Tirabassi is second in all goaltending categories in the NESCAC with a goals against average of 0.50 and a save percentage of 0.982. Buitenhuis, likewise, has a goals against average of 1.44 and a save percentage of 0.953. While still early in the season, these numbers point to a seasoned veteran and a newcomer willing to both teach and be taught. Hamilton’s explosive offensive potential and disciplined defense mean that the Continentals and their fans have an extremely promising season ahead of them.

Hamilton finds itself on a three-game win streak and looks to extend it in their first set of home games this weekend. Their next four games are all at home; they are also all NESCAC games. Hamilton plays its annual Citrus Bowl this Sat. Dec. 2 at Russell Sage Rink at 7:00 p.m. for what will surely be an exciting rematch against returning NESCAC champ Trinity College (NESCAC 2–0–0). Hamilton plays Wesleyan (NESCAC 0–1–1) the next day, Dec. 3, also at the Russell Sage Rink, at 3:00 p.m.