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Varsity Athletics

Jan. 25, 2006

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - There had been a trend developing coming into last night's game between MIT and Daniel Webster College at Johnson Ice Arena. The Engineers had scored nine goals in each of the last three games against the Eagles, and on Tuesday, MIT extended that streak to four games. It appeared unlikely as the teams headed into the third period tied at three, but the Engineers rattled off five goals in a 4:10 span en route to a 9-3 win.

Looking to play into revenge for an earlier 9-3 defeat this season on November 9, it was the Eagles getting on the board first on Tuesday. Rob Casian scored on a set up by teammates Brian Howard and Sean Jamieson at 14:47 of the first period. MIT came up with an answer just over three minutes later when junior Brian LaCrosse, who has three goals and an assist since returning to MIT's lineup two games ago, beat Eagles goalie Andrew Smith on the power-play. Then with 2:07 left in the first and again on with the man advantage, MIT freshmen and leading scorers Nick LaBounty and Ryan Ballentine hooked up for the go-ahead goal.

With the score still 2-1 over five minutes into the second frame, the Eagles' Drew Philipp took an interference penalty, his second minor of the game. Already with two power-play goals in the game, the Engineers again found the back of the net. This time it was senior Adam Shabshelowitz lighting the lamp.

Nursing a two goal lead and seemingly in control, MIT was whistled for too many men on the ice at 11:46, and DWC took advantage of the miscue. Sean Jamieson, the Eagles most dangerous offensive player, beat MIT goalie Andrew Smith on a pass from Paul Frank at 11:07. Just over two minutes later, Frank again found Jamieson to knot the game at 3-3. The Eagles had a chance to take the lead on a late period power-play opportunity but failed to score.

Deadlocked at three with the team they had outscored 27-8 over the previous three meetings, the Engineers and the home crowd came to life in the third session. At 17:58, Nick LaBounty crashed the net and scored, igniting a three goal outburst in 53 seconds. Senior John Bergin and sophomore Mike Kozlowski scored power-play goals at 17:27 and 17:05, extending the Engineers lead to 6-3.

Already with a three goal cushion, Ryan Ballentine tallied two goals in a 2:01 span between 15:49 and 13:48, putting the Engineers in a position to reach number nine once again. Frustrated and down by five, the Eagles took two major penalties. MIT also picked up a major on a slash by Shabshelowitz.

With a significant lead, MIT slowed down the tempo of the game, which became increasingly physical as time went on. Still, the Eagles spent most of the time in their own zone, and freshman Chris Bukowski made them pay with the Engineers ninth and final goal at 6:53.

MIT finished the game with a season-high five power-play goals. Leading the way for the Engineers was Nick LaBounty (two goals, two assists), junior defenseman Nicholas Maietta (four assists), Ryan Ballentine (two goals, assist) and Brian LaCrosse (goal, two assists).

With the 9-3 victory, the Engineers concluded action with Daniel Webster this season having outscored the Eagles 18-7 in the two contests, and 36-11 in the past four. The game was also the second straight in which the Engineers won by a 9-3 mark (defeated Western Connecticut State University 9-3 on January 21).

MIT has now won three straight and is undefeated in their last five games (3-0-2). During that stretch, the Engineers have outscored their opponents 32-15. If the Cardinal and Grey hope to maintain their unbeaten streak, they will have to knock off the University of New Hampshire (7-5-2, 4-0-1 NECHA) for their first conference loss. Earlier this season on November 16, the two teams skated to a 4-4 tie. The game will be held in Durham, N.H. on Friday, January 27.