Feb. 23, 2008

Box Score

MALDEN, Mass. - Sophomore Chris Wood (Medford, MA) and senior Mike Venit (Ridley Park, PA) each scored twice during Babson College's five-goal second period, leading to a 6-1 hockey victory over Tufts in the regular-season finale for both squads on Saturday afternoon at Valley Forum II.

Ranked 14th nationally, Babson finishes second in the ECAC East Division with a league mark of 13-4-2 and a 17-5-3 overall record. The Jumbos (6-17-1, 4-14-1) ended their season with a 10-game losing streak to tie for ninth place with Hamilton in the NESCAC standings.

After an early Babson goal by Matt Harrington (Hanover, MA) in the first, the Jumbos tied the score at 1-1 when sophomore Myles Neumann (Chester Springs, PA) netted his second of the year at 7:55 of the second period.

Wood then began the Babson assault with his first of the game and fifth of the season at 8:29 of the middle period for a 2-1 Beavers advantage. After moving ahead 3-1 on a goal by freshman Terry Woods (Duxbury, MA) at 15:40, Babson remarkably scored three goals in the final minute of the period. Wood's sixth of the year on a power-play at 19:07 was followed by Venit's pair at 19:23 and 19:41 - his 12th and 13th of the year. Sophomore Jason Schneider (Littleton, MA) had three assists in the period, which gave the Beavers a commanding 6-1 advantage they would not relinquish.

Despite five power-plays in the third period (three for Babson), neither team would score. Babson junior Skylar Nipps (Orlando, FL) earned the win with 23 saves in goal. Issa Azat (South Pasadena, CA), one of seven Jumbos playing for the last time on Senior Day, made 41 saves. He had 15 in both the second and third periods.

In addition to Schneider, Wood and Venit, Woods was also a multiple-point scorer for Babson with a goal and assist, and sophomore Shane Farrell (West Warwick, RI) finished with two assists. The Beavers owned a 47-24 advantage in shots.

NOTE: Taken from a Tufts University press release.