The Middlebury men's ice hockey team faced a tough defeat in the NESCAC Championship, falling 4-2 to Williams on March 8. The Panthers, who entered the tournament as the fourth seed, managed to cut the deficit to one goal on two occasions but could not complete the comeback. After an early attempt from Dimitri Tzaferis was turned aside, Williams took the lead with a goal from Logan Valkama. The Ephs extended their advantage with another goal from Valkama late in the first period. Middlebury's efforts included a strong performance from goalie Andrew Heinze, who made several key saves, but ultimately, the Panthers could not overcome the deficit. This loss concluded a strong playoff run, highlighted by a dramatic semifinal victory over Bowdoin, where Cole Semeniuk scored the golden goal in overtime to secure a 3-2 win.
In women's hockey, the top-seeded Middlebury Panthers also faced heartbreak, dropping a triple-overtime thriller to Colby in the NESCAC Semifinals on March 8. The match lasted over four hours, with both teams showcasing their resilience. Middlebury, ranked sixth nationally, had opportunities to score early but was thwarted by Colby goalie Ally Martinello. The decisive goal came from Colby with just 4:23 remaining in the third overtime, ending the Panthers' hopes of advancing to the championship. Despite the loss, Middlebury's performance throughout the season and in the playoffs underscored their competitive spirit and skill. Both hockey teams will look to regroup as they prepare for the next season.