Department of athletics, physical education and recreation
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Engineers Tie UNH For Second Time This Season, 3-3
Jan. 29, 2006
DURHAM, N.H. - The men's hockey team (6-2-5) overcame a 3-1 deficit and managed a 3-3 tie with the University of New Hampshire last Friday night. The two teams have skated evenly with each other this season, having both totaled seven goals in 130 minutes of hockey. Freshman Ryan Ballentine provided all of the Engineers' offense with three goals in the first two periods. After failing to score on an early power-play opportunity, the Engineers found themselves shorthanded after senior John Bergin took a tripping penalty. The Wildcats responded with a goal by Mike Kasberg at 11:46. UNH took three minor penalties before the first period was over, but MIT failed to find the back of the net. Clinging to a one goal lead, UNH's Mike Ivanov was called for interference at 6:46 of the second frame. MIT went to work on their sixth power-play of the game and their top two scorers stepped up. Freshmen Nick LaBounty found Ryan Ballentine for his tenth goal of the season. Unfortunately for MIT, they gave their momentum right back to the Wildcats after sophomore Mike Kozlowski was called for a hook at 13:22. Tyler Loopley took advantage of the chance. He received a pass from Eric Conzanello and beat MIT goalie Thomas Hopkins to give the Wildcats a 2-1 lead. Two minutes later, Eric Conzanello set up teammate Jeff Brown for another goal, and the Engineers appeared to be reeling. But just over a minute later at 17:57, Ballentine scored his second of the game unassisted to pull MIT within a goal. As the final seconds of the second period ticked off the clock, it appeared MIT was headed for intermission down by a goal, but Ballentine did not stop until he heard the buzzer. With one second left, he beat UNH goalie Brett Berger to complete his first career hat trick. Despite three power-play opportunities for the Wildcats and two for the Engineers, neither team could manage a goal in the third period. MIT put 10 shots on goal but could not find a way to get one past Berger. On the other side of the ice, MIT's Thomas Hopkins was also perfect, stopping all six UNH shots he faced. The scoreless drought continued into overtime, as MIT recorded the only two shots of the extra session, and the game ended in a 3-3 tie. The Engineers outshot UNH 32 to 24 in the game and 12 to six in the third period and overtime. Nick LaBounty assisted on two of Ballentine's three goals, while John Bergin and junior Brian LaCrosse also each had an assist. MIT will look to build on their current five game unbeaten streak when they travel to Worcester, Mass. to battle WPI on February 1. The game is set to begin at 8:00 p.m. The teams last met on November 2, 2005, and MIT came away with a 4-3 victory. |
