After Friday evening’s overtime loss at Massachusetts-Boston, Norwich came out feisty and physical, but an opportunistic and disciplined Babson team used four first-period goals on their way to a 5-1 win at Babson Skating Rink.
“This the first time we have ever beaten Norwich here in our building since I can remember,” said Babson coach Jamie Rice. “We had a lot of energy and that can get contagious on the bench when pucks start going in. This is a great place for us to close out the semester with a win against a great team. We can all enjoy the holidays.”
Rob Devaney led the way for the Beavers, potting two first-period goals. After Matt Brazel gave Babson a 1-0 lead on a power play, Devaney scored his first of two at 10:43 of the period after the sophomore intercepted an errant Cadets pass and ripped a 20-foot wrist shot past goalie Ty Reichenbach’s blocker.
“We are coached to get pucks deep and get pucks on net,” said Devaney. “I think I might have handcuffed the goalie on the first one and I was just in the right place when the puck came across the crease after the great play by Bill Seligman. It is my first Norwich game, but you feel the energy and rivalry. This was a big win for us to enjoy the end of the first semester.”
After Charlie Ackerman made it 3-0 for the hosts after yet another untimely Cadets turnover, Devaney again struck for Babson. At 16:43, Devaney, camped at the right post, was in the right spot to cash in on a failed wraparound attempt by Seligman and the Beavers lead grew to 4-0. The assist for Seligman was his second in the period.
“They had a lot of energy and jump tonight,” said Norwich coach Mike McShane. “They absolutely caught us flat and took advantage with some early goals. They dug us a hole we just couldn’t get out of.”
The second period settled down, with both teams getting chances on power plays, but Babson’s Jamie Murray and Reichenbach were equal to the task and the score remained 4-0. Shots through two periods were in favor of Norwich 18-16.
The third period saw Norwich get on the board at the 5:58 mark as Paul Russell, camped in the slot, took a pass from Payton Baldillez and rifled a shot past Murray high on the glove side to make the score 4-1.
Just a few minutes later, Babson got the goal back when freshman Steve DeForge beat Reichenbach, with an assist going to Ryan Gouveia.
Babson closed out the first semester with the win and moved to 6-0-0 in the NEHC, atop the league standings. Norwich fell to 5-3-0 in the conference and closes out the fist semester on Wednesday night against St. Michael’s.
