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Sophomore Mike Kozlowski helped MIT avoid another tie with his overtime winner.
 
Sophomore Mike Kozlowski helped MIT avoid another tie with his overtime winner.
  
 
MIT Shocks WPI In Overtime, 3-2

Kozlowski Clutch In OT; Engineers Extend Unbeaten Steak To Seven

Feb. 3, 2006

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - As the final minute of the third period approached, it looked as if MIT's (7-2-5) six game unbeaten streak was going to be halted by visiting Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2-8-0) on Thursday night. Then MIT, down 2-1, got a big goal from freshman Ryan Ballentine at 19:04, sending the game into overtime. At 2:35 of the extra session, sophomore Mike Kozlowski produced the game-winner and sent fans home happy at Johnson Ice Arena.

 

The game, which had previously been slotted for February 1 at WPI but was moved to MIT due to scheduling conflicts, began in favor of the home team. A Jason Tondreau slashing penalty at 9:49 of the first period turned into a Tim Studley power-play goal at 7:56. The score, Studley's eighth of the season, was assisted by sophomore defenseman Jeremy Myers and junior Brian LaCrosse. The visiting Engineers, after a failed power-play opportunity, scored the equalizer at 2:56 of the first on a goal by Andrew Biery.

 

With momentum from their late first period goal, WPI continued to come at MIT early in the second, and the hard work paid off. Wes Culver, already with an assist, found Jamie Campbell for the go-ahead goal. MIT had one power-play chance in the second frame to even the score but could not capitalize.

 

In the third session, two power-plays for WPI and one for MIT went for not, and a scoring drought of nearly two full periods continued into the final minutes of the game. Clinging to their 2-1 lead, WPI was on the defensive as MIT's top offensive line was controlling the puck in the WPI territory. With just under a minute remaining, LaBounty passed the puck to Myers, and Myers dished it over to Ballentine. At 19:04, Ballentine beat WPI goalie Nate Birmingham with his 13th goal of the season to force overtime.

 

Just 3:21 after MIT had tied the game in regulation, Mike Kozlowski tickled the twine in overtime. The sophomore's sixth goal of the year gave MIT their first overtime win and second single-goal victory over WPI this season.

 

MIT, now with a point in a season high seven consecutive games, continues their four game homestand on Thursday, February 9 against Endicott College (10-5-0). The Engineers will be looking for revenge after suffering their worst loss of the season (8-1) to the Gulls on December 3, 2005. The puck will drop at 7:00 p.m.