Middlebury won for the fourth time in its last five games as the Panthers earned a 3-2 win over Babson in Kenyon Arena. The Panthers held a 33-25 shots advantage on the night, as they play their final regular season home game on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. vs. UMass.-Boston. Babson will travel south to visit Williams on Saturday afternoon.
Babson wasted no time as J.T. Balben scored on a rebound after a shot from Jason Schneider was saved just 23 seconds into the game. Leonard Badeau intercepted a clearing pass and returned the favor from the high slot to tie the game at 1-1 just 59 seconds later. Mason Graddock gave Middlebury a 2-1 lead at 7:27, scoring through the five-hole after cutting to the net along the goal line. Charles Nerback almost made it a 3-1 game with four minute remaining as his shot hit the crossbar after a flurry.
The Panthers took advantage of a five-on-three power play in the second, as Michael Kretschmer scored from the high slot on a feed from Ken Suchoski. Badeau had a shot at his second of the game with 2:30 left in the period, but his shorthanded breakaway attempt was denied by Andrew Peabody. Babson made it a one-goal game with 1:12 left in the period as Alex DiPietro scored with a blast from the blue line on the power play.
Neither team found the back of the net in the third period, as the Panthers came away with the 3-2 win. Peabody made some big saves late to keep the Beavers in the game, as Babson could not score in the final 1:40 with the extra attacker.
John Yanchek and Doug Raeder combined to made 23 saves for the Panthers, while Peabody made 30 saves for the Beavers.
Date: February 13, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
Venue: Kenyon Arena - Site: Middlebury, Vt.
TEAM 1 2 3 OT F
Babson (9-11-1) 1 1 0 - 2
Middlebury (16-4-1) 2 1 0 - 3
SCORING
B-1st (:23) - J.T. Balben (Jason Schneider)
M-1st (1:22) - Leonard Badeau (Martin Drolet)
M-1st (7:27) - Mason Graddock (Ken Suchoski, Charlie Strauss)
M-2nd (13:24) - 5on3: Michael Kretschmer (Suchoski, Chaz Svoboda)
B-2nd (18:48) - PP: Alex DiPietro (Schneider)
GOALTENDING (saves)
John Yanchek-M (38:48 min., 15 saves, 2 GA)
Doug Raeder-M (21:12 min, 8 saves, 0 GA)
Andrew Peabody-B (58:20 min., 30 saves, 3 GA)
