Somebody forgot to tell the ice hockey team that it can't make the playoffs.
The squad played like true contenders on Wednesday night, dismantling the Plymouth State Panthers 9-3 in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. The non-conference win elevated the Jumbos' overall record to 7-13-1 without improving their ninth place conference record of 3-12-1.
Tufts was led once again by junior tri-captain Shawn Sullivan, who lit Plymouth State up for six points; netting two goals and handing out four assists to increase his team-leading assist total to 17 and point total to 29 on the season.
Fellow tri-captain, senior Pat Byrne, chipped in with a goal and two assists, while junior John Hurd, sophomore Jack Thompson, and freshman Matt Dalton all notched a goal and an assist. Tufts also got goals from sophomores Matt McCarthy and Ken Cleary and freshman Brian Bailey.
The Jumbos had a balanced scoring evening, putting in three goals in each of the three periods. Plymouth state notched all three of its goals on a power play in a 60 second span during the third period.
"We played pretty well, but in reality the game was never in doubt," coach Brian Murphy said. "We had an eight goal lead in the third period, and we scored 50 seconds in. We took some stupid penalties in the third period that allowed them to score some goals, but we pretty much knew we had the win."
The Jumbos will try to use the momentum from this victory when they play their final two home games of the 2003-2004 campaign at home this weekend. Tufts plays the Trinity Bantams and Wesleyan Cardinals, who are currently ranked third and seventh in the NESCAC, respectively.
While the games have no meaning for Tufts from a playoff perspective, the Jumbos look to end the season on a high note with the prospect of three straight victories heading into next season.
"We're looking at these games that if we win another game, we'll have won one more than we did last year, which would be a nice goal for us," Murphy said. "We're not looking to play the role of spoiler; we're just focused on what we have to do for ourselves."
Overcoming either the Bantams or the Cardinals is not going to be easy for the Jumbos. Trinity is currently 10-5-1 in the NESCAC and has beaten the likes of Bowdoin, Williams, and Middlebury -- all teams that defeated Tufts. The Bantams have, however, lost to Amherst, a team that Tufts fought hard against and realistically could have beaten.
Defeating Wesleyan is probably a more realistic goal for the Brown and Blue. The Cardinals sit at 6-7-3 in the conference, with two of their losses coming against Salem State and Connecticut College, both of whom Tufts beat earlier in the season.
The Jumbos will need dominant performances from their offensive producers, Sullivan, Cleary, and junior Gino Rotondi. In addition, senior Ben Crapser will need to be at his best between the pipes for Tufts to record a W.
To its credit, Tufts has been improving its play as the season has gone on. After starting the season losing seven of their first eight games, the Jumbos have picked up the slack and gone 6-6-1 in a stretch that included impressive wins against Conn. College and Salem State.
"We're focused on playing the two teams we have to play this weekend," Murphy said. "Not making the playoffs is disappointing, but we've gotten better as the year [has gone by], and as a coach, you have to be happy about that."
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