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WILLIAMSTOWN, MA - Trailing 2-1 after two periods, the Williams College men's hockey team (12-6-3) scored back-to-back goals at the start of the third period to come away with a 3-2 win over Babson College (9-10-3).
Stephen Maier '12 netted the game-winner for the Ephs, scoring his fourth goal in six games at the six-minute mark of the third period. Also scoring for Williams were co-captain Matt Masucci '11 and Eric Rubino '13. Both forwards now have ten goals on the year.
Both teams took advantage of power plays to get on the board in the first period. Babson struck first at the seven-minute mark after the Ephs were called for interference.
Controlling the puck under the boards, the Beavers worked the puck to the right side of the net, where Ryan Heavey made a sharp pass across the crease to a waiting Mike Hoban, who tapped it in for the score to give Babson a one-goal lead.
Williams almost tied it minutes later on a sharp wrist shot from Masucci at the left circle, but the puck clanged off the far post and skidded into the corner.
The Ephs finally got the equalizer on a power play following a Babson penalty for elbowing. The goal was set up nicely by Evan Dugdale '11 after he received a pass from Connor Olvany '11 at the top of the left circle. Dugdale controlled the puck for several seconds before making a sharp pass to Masucci just off the left post. Masucci quickly slammed it home, and the Ephs took a 1-1 tie into the locker room after one period.
Williams tightened up its defense effort in the second period, playing well in its own zone and getting timely saves by goaltender Ryan Purdy '12 to prevent Babson from taking the lead.
Unfortunately for the Ephs, however, the Beaver defense was just as stringent, limiting Williams to a few scoring chances. The Ephs had their best chances on a power play in the latter half of the period, but goaltender Zeke Testa kept the puck out of the net.
Both goalies played well on the night, as Purdy and Testa finished with 26 saves apiece. Purdy saw 28 shots in 60 minutes of play, while Testa faced 29 shots in 60 minutes of play.
The Beavers would finally break the stalemate in the final minute of the second period, capitalizing on a power play once again to take a 2-1 lead. Purdy made the initial save on a shot by Ben Cravitz, but Hoban scored on the rebound attempt to put Babson up one score heading into the final period.
The Ephs had their work cut out for them in the third stanza, but they responded very capably. Less than five minutes into the period, Williams got its second power play goal of the night off a deflection in front of the net. Mike Brofft '13 lofted a wrist shot from the blue line, and Eric Rubino '13 got his stick on the puck to direct it past the goalie and tie the score at 2-2.
Just over a minute later, Stephen Maier '12 stepped up again by scoring his fourth goal in five games to put the Ephs ahead for good. After the puck came free in the neutral zone following a Williams faceoff win, Maier controlled it and made a series of nice moves before ripping a shot past the goalie on the right side, making the score 3-2 in favor of the Ephs.
The two goals in rapid succession would be all Williams needed on the night, as Purdy and the defense kept the Beavers off the board for the final ten minutes of the game.
Coach Bill Kangas commented on his team's resiliency, especially Maier's: "I always tell my guys, 'you have to play all 60 minutes,' and tonight they were able to do that. Maier's goal was big for us... he has really stepped up lately and hopefully he can continue to play well."
With tonight's win, Williams moves into a three-way tie atop the NESCAC standings with Middlebury and Hamilton. The Ephs will have another tough battle Saturday afternoon as they face UMass Boston (14-7-0). The puck drops at 3 PM in Lansing Chapman Rink.
