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	Printer-Friendly Format E-mail this article Freshman Ryan Ballentine (11) scored his team-leading 17th point on Friday night, but it wasn't enough to get MIT a win.

Engineers Let Late Lead Slip Away In 3-3 Tie With UMass Amherst

Leading Scorer Ballentine Produces Pair

Jan. 16, 2006

AMHERST, Mass. - The men's hockey team was back in action for the first time since December 6, but MIT still could not find the win column against UMass Amherst on Friday night. The Engineers (3-2-4) blew a 3-1 third period lead and tied the Minutemen 3-3. The tie was the fourth in the last six games for MIT, now winless since a 7-0 triumph over Bridgewater State on November 9.

Freshman Ryan Ballentine got the Engineers on the board early with his fourth goal of the season at 13:26 of the first period. Ballentine took a feed from senior Adam Was and beat UMass goalie Tyler Hawley.

In the second frame, MIT was assessed with four minor penalties, and the Minutemen took advantage of the eight minutes of power-play time. At 10:00, UMass junior defenseman Ryan Donahue was set up by teammates Pat Devine and Rick Stone for the equalizer. But just over six minutes later, the Engineers responded. Junior Tim Studley found sophomore Mike Kozlowski for the go-ahead goal at 16:36. Junior defenseman Nicholas Maietta also picked up an assist on the goal.

After killing off another UMass power-play to begin the third period, the Engineers extended their lead to 3-1. Ryan Ballentine tallied his fifth goal and team-leading 17th point of the season at 5:15. Unfortunately for the Engineers, that was all the offense they could muster. Just over a minute later, junior Scott Zerneri put a shot past MIT junior goalie Thomas Hopkins to pull the Minutemen within one. Then at 11:57 of the third, Pat Devine found the back of the net to even the score at three.

Both teams failed to score in the extra session after managing three shots each. Hopkins finished the game with 34 saves for MIT, while Tyler Hawley stopped 32 for the Minutemen. Neither team was very successful on the power-play, as the Minutemen went just 1-6 and the Engineers went 0-2.

The Engineers begin a three game homestand this Wednesday against Bridgewater State. Last time the two teams met, MIT cruised to a 7-0 victory, but the Engineers have not won since. The puck is set to drop at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday.