March 3 , 2007

Historic season ends in ECAC East Semifinal loss to NEC 3-2

Northfield, VT-New England College received three goals from a trio of Pilgrims, and superb goaltending from Ron Baia to advance to the ECAC East finals 3-2 over Castleton at Norwich University. Castleton held a 32-26 advantage in shots on goal, but Baia was up to the task as he turned away 30 in the win.

Castleton owned a 12-5 advantage in shots on goal for the first 20 minutes, establishing the tone very early as Evan Romeo was stoned on a breakaway just one minute in by Baia. The Spartans would get on the board first as Steve Smiddy took an outlet from goalie Jeff Swanson and skated the length of the ice, left a pass for Jared Lavender who beat Baia. New England College would answer right back at the 12:02 mark as Alex Muse feigned a slap-shot and left the puck for teammate Jeff Armando who beat Swanson over his glove shoulder. Castleton would waste little time getting the lead back as just 23 seconds later Steve Culbertson deflected Matt Link’s shot from the point into the net. Swanson would make a pair of fantastic saves late in the period to protect the one goal lead heading into the first intermission.

New England College opened the second period very quickly as John Globke whistled one past Swanson to tie the score, assisted by Branislav Srnka at 2:10. Castleton would find themselves with a two-man advantage 6:10 into the period after a skirmish in front of the NEC net. Baia was up for the task as he turned away five shots in the two-minute span and kept the score knotted at two goals apiece. The Pilgrims had man advantage situations twice later on in the period, with Castleton killing the first opportunity as Swanson turned away four shots. NEC would convert on the second man advantage, however, as Evan Erdman sent home a Brian Pouliot assist at 15:32. The period ended with the Pilgrims owning a 3-2 lead, and narrowing the shot margin to 20-18 in favor of the Spartans.

The third period was more of the same, back-and-forth action as both goalies asserted themselves with some fine glove and stick work around the crease. Swanson would notch eight saves in the period, ending his night with 23, but Baia would turn away all 12 he faced to secure the Pilgrims’ spot in the finals. Castleton earned a man advantage with 2:06 remaining in the game, then pulled Swanson for the final 1:20 but they could not convert. Castleton’s best chance came with 26 seconds remaining as senior captain Joe Huchko was turned away from the weak side by a sprawling Baia. Castleton’s season ends at 17-6-4. [Box Score]

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