SHELTON, Conn. – Cameron Weitzman (Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec) netted the first hat trick in Albertus Magnus College men's ice hockey history Tuesday evening. Still, it proved not to be enough, as Post University scored six of the game's final seven goals in a 7-6 overtime loss for the Falcons.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Post 7 | Albertus Magnus 6 (OT)
RECORDS: Albertus Magnus (4-15-2) | Post (4-13-1)
BOX SCORE
HOW IT HAPPENED
It didn't take the Falcons long to erase a one-goal deficit, as Albertus scored the first of four first-period goals at the 16:40 mark of the opening frame. Weitzman's initial goal came on a 3-on-5 power play, with the freshman cashing in on a Harley Michaels' (Kirkland, Quebec) pass to tie the game at 1-1.
Weitzman found the back of the net again at the 17:42 mark on another 3-on-5 chance. Charles Risk (Medicine Hat, Alberta) took the initial shot that found the keeper's leg pad. The puck bounced right to Weitzman, who poked it past the goalie. Dino Antoniadis (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) also got an assist on the score.
The Falcons went ahead by a 3-1 score at the 18:31 mark, as Coleton Cianci (Kirkland, Quebec) tallied a goal on the power play. Antoniadis rocketed a shot from the middle of the zone, which again bounced off the keeper, allowing Cianci to take advantage for the score.
Weitzman capped off his first-period hat trick with a short-handed goal at the 18:49 mark. The freshman forward brought the puck up after a save and raced past two Post players before finishing the score with a shot over the goalie's shoulder.
The Falcons' lead grew to 5-1 through 6:50 of the second period on a goal from Jack Hannan (Kent, Conn.). The rookie snuck the puck by the opposing keeper on his stick side for his third goal of the season. Michaels and Owen Allan (Ancaster, Ontario) were credited with assists on the score.
After the Eagles tied the game in the third period with four unanswered goals, Albertus retook the lead at the 18:16 mark of the third. Allan netted the score while screening near the crease, tipping in a Robert Eichelberger (Odessa, Fla.) centering pass.
Unfortunately for the Falcons, Allan's goal was the team's last of the game. With the goalie pulled in the final minute, Anthony Giacomin cashed in on a rebounded shot with just nine seconds on the clock to force overtime.
Giacomin was not done with his heroic play, however, as the junior needed just 1:18 into OT to steal the win for Post. Giacomin streaked down the left side of the ice and was able to find the top right corner of the cage to send the crowd home happy.
Despite taking the loss, Pierce Diamond (Edmonton, Alberta) posted another stellar outing with 34 saves in 61:18. He stopped 18 of 19 shots in a wild second period. Diamond has logged 30-plus saves in three of his last four appearances.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
Albertus - Pierce Diamond (L, 4-14-2): Shots on Goal 41 | Goals-Against 7 | Saves 34
Post – Brandon Brown (W, 3-6-1): Shots on Goal 18 | Goal-Against 2 | Saves 16 | 40:06
Joseph McLeod: Shots on Goal 17 | Goal-Against 4 | Saves 13 | 20:00
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
• The Falcons were outshot by a 41-35 margin tonight.
• Albertus was called for 12 penalties for 32 minutes in the box.
• Post was whistled for seven penalties for 17 minutes.
• The Falcons scored three power-play goals, all in the first period.
• Six different Albertus skaters finished the game with a team-high four shots.
• The Eagles' William Francis led all players with six shots.
NOTEWORTHY
• The Falcons fall to 1-7-1 on the road.
• Albertus' six goals scored are a new season high.
• Weitzman's hat trick is the first in program history.
• Weitzman is up to a team-high 17 points and 11 goals.
• The Falcons' short-handed score is their second of the season.
UP NEXT
The men's ice hockey team next heads to Bryn Athyn, Pa. for a nonconference battle against Bryn Athyn College on Friday, Jan. 31. The opening puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.
