WEST POINT, N.Y. - Senior assistant captain Kyle Wilson (London, Ont.) recorded his first career hat trick and added an assist to lead the Colgate men’s hockey team (2-1-1) to a 6-1 win against Army (0-3-0) on Friday, Oct. 21, at Tate Rink.
“It’s obviously a relief to finally get one,” Wilson said of his hat trick. “Hopefully we can keep it going, and I can keep scoring some points and continue helping out the team.”
Wilson “hit for the cycle,” scoring an even-strength goal late in the first period, then adding a short-handed goal and power-play tally to start the second. It marked the fifth multiple-goal game of his career, and he tied his personal-best with four points. Wilson also extended his career-long scoring streak to six games, dating back to last season.
Sophomore Jesse Winchester (Long Sault, Ont.) got things started with his third goal of the season 7:45 into the first period. Winchester was looking to make a pass across the crease to one of his teammates, but the puck hit the skate of an Army player instead and deflected into the net.
Colgate got its first short-handed tally of the year at the 13:21 mark. Wilson took a heads-up pass from sophomore goaltender Mark Dekanich (North Vancouver, B.C.) before he hit the blue line, and skated into the zone with junior Mike Campaner (Thunder Bay, Ont.) trailing. Wilson spun in place to shake his defender, and sent a cross-ice pass to Campaner, who beat Army goalie Brad Roberts. Dekanich’s assist was the first of his career.
The Raiders made it 3-0 4:35 later. Roberts made a save on the initial shot by Ryan Smyth, but then lost track of the puck. Wilson found it to the left of the crease and slipped it past Roberts for his fourth goal of the year.
Wilson completed his hat trick with Colgate’s first two goals of the second period. He netted his short-handed tally 5:36 into the session, and scored on the power play at the eight-minute mark. Ryan Smyth assisted on both goals. He finished the game with a career-high four helpers.
Sophomore Tyler Burton (Langley, B.C.) scored his second goal of the season with 9:20 left in the second period. Campaner passed from the left point, and senior captain Jon Smyth (Markham, Ont.) tipped it onto Burton’s stick. He beat Roberts to chase him from the net. Roberts was replaced by A.J. Drago, who made 15 saves without allowing a goal the rest of the game.
The Black Knights got on the scoreboard with 33 seconds left in the second period. Luke Flicek scored off assists from Casey Bickley and Aaron Anderson.
Roberts finished with four saves on 10 shots in 30:40, while Drago played the final 29:20. Dekanich finished with 21 saves, as his team outshot the Black Knights 25-22.
Colgate returns to Starr Rink for a game against Bentley College on Saturday, Oct. 29, starting at 7:00 p.m. For tickets, call the Raider box office at (315) 228-7600.
