BABSON PARK, Mass.—Junior Thomas Kramer (Bridgewater, Mass.) scored a goal and senior goalie Nolan Hildebrand (Penticton, B.C.) made 28 saves as No. 6 Babson College skated to a 1-1 tie against No. 10 Norwich University in a battle of top 10 teams Friday evening in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) men's ice hockey action inside the Babson Skating Center.

With the deadlock, the Beavers are now 7-2-2 overall and 4-1-2 in the NEHC while Norwich moves to 6-2-1 overall and 4-1-1 in league play.

First-year Ryan Murphy (Grosse Point Farms, Mich.) assisted on the goal for the Beavers, which broke a scoreless tie with 4:31 remaining in the first period.

Sophomore Bryan O'Mara (Syracuse, N.Y.) tied the game for Norwich six minutes into the second period, with assists from classmates Alex Lewis (Moncton, N.B.) and Paul Schmid (Linz, Austia). Senior goalie Andrew Albano (Hamilton, Ontatio) made 28 saves in his first appearance of the season.

Murphy stole a Norwich clear attempt at the blue line along the left boards, skated into the zone and set up Kramer in the slot, and Kramer ripped a laser over the shoulder of Albano into the top right corner of the goal for his third of the season. Norwich had a pair of power play opportunities in the opening 20 minutes but could not capitalize.

Norwich forechecking caused a Babson turnover in its own zone in the second period, and Lewis dropped a backhanded pass to O'Mara at the bottom of the right circle and O'Mara snapped a shot past Hildebrand over the glove side into the top shelf to knot the score.

Both teams had a chance to take the lead a couple minutes later. Norwich went in 2-on-none against the Babson goal but Hildebrand robbed senior Braedyn Aubin (Woodstock, Ontario) on a shot from the right circle. Sophomore Wyatt George (Mount Lebanon, Pa.) broke in alone on the Norwich goal only moments later but lifted a backhander over the net. The Cadets had the only power play opportunity in the middle frame but came up empty.

Norwich got its fourth power play early in the third period but it lasted just a minute and 18 seconds before the Cadets were whistled for their first penalty of the evening. Babson could not convert on that chance with the man advantage or one other try midway through the frame.

The Cadets had a 3-2 advantage in shots in the overtime session and a 32-29 margin for the game. The visitors also won 43 of the 66 face-offs, including 15-of-18 by sophomore Clark Kerner (Kansas City, Kan.) and 12-of-16 by junior Patrick O'Neal.

Both teams will be back on the ice on Saturday at 4 p.m. as Babson hosts New England College and Norwich visits Southern Maine.

GAME NOTES
• The Beavers are 27-46-8 all-time against Norwich in a series that dates back to the 1975-76 campaign.
• The Green and White did not surrender a power play goal for the fourth straight game and fifth time in the last six outings.
• Babson, which has not allowed more than two goals in its last five games, is now 6-1 on the season when surrendering two goals or less.