JANESVILLE, WI – In a clinical display of offensive firepower and defensive resilience, the Beloit College Buccaneers delivered their most commanding performance of the season this evening, overwhelming the Hiram College Terriers 9-1 at the Woodman's Sports & Convention Center.
Led by a huge six-point night from Valerii Kneib (Dmitrov, Russia) the Buccaneers (3-12-1, 1-6-0 WIAC) dominated every facet of the game, outshooting the Terriers (1-13-1) 58-25 and showcasing a relentless attack that Hiram simply could not contain.
The game began with a brief scare for the home crowd when Hiram's Gino Haynes found the back of the net nearly ten minutes into the first period. However, the momentum shift was instantaneous and decisive. Just 33 seconds after falling behind, Kneib answered with his fifth goal of the season, assisted by Nathan Hinze (Chaska, MN) and Josh Gulden (New Ulm, MN).
That quick response extinguished Hiram's energy and sparked a run of nine unanswered goals. Before the first intermission, Kaden Milles (Fairbanks, AK) gave the Buccaneers a lead they would never relinquish, tucking away a goal at the 17:04 mark off assists from Ethan Rubin and Kneib.
If the first period was about stabilization, the second was a pure offensive clinic. Beloit found the net five times in the middle frame, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Hinze opened the floodgates early in the period, followed by a clinical power-play goal from Max Von Klinggraeff (Edina, MN). The Buccaneers' depth was on full display as J.D. Shoniker (Burlington, ON), Sky Solig (Warroad, MN), and Joe Weber (Rochester, NY) all added goals before the period ended. By the time the horn sounded for the second intermission, Beloit held a 7-1 lead and a massive 36-21 advantage in shots.
While the entire roster contributed to the win, the night belonged to Kneib. The forward was involved in two-thirds of Beloit's scoring, finishing with two goals and four assists. His vision and playmaking were the engine of the Buccaneers' offense, particularly on the power play, where Beloit finished a highly efficient 2-for-3.
Defensively, goaltender Anthony Zolezzi (Oswego, IL) was a wall. After allowing the early goal in the first, Zolezzi turned away the next 24 shots he faced, finishing with 24 saves and a .960 save percentage. His composure in the crease allowed the Buccaneers' defenders to pinch aggressively and keep the pressure in the Hiram zone for the majority of the night.
Beloit refused to let up in the final period. Nolan Christy (Burnsville, MN) added to the tally at 03:19, and Kneib capped off his stellar evening with a power-play goal at 16:36 to finalize the 9-1 scoreline.
The Buccaneers' statistical dominance was total. Beyond the lopsided score, Beloit won the faceoff battle (35-35 overall, but dominated in the offensive zone) and restricted Hiram to just four shots in the entire third period.
The two teams have a quick turnaround before facing off again tomorrow afternoon. Puck drop is set for 1pm.
