PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior Mike McPherson (Somerville, Mass.) scored, and sophomore Kalle Andersson (Taby, Sweden) made 27 saves, but Babson College used a pair of third period power play goals to slip past Plymouth State University, 2-1, in a non-conference men's ice hockey game at Hanaway Rink on Saturday night.
 
McPherson put the Panthers ahead less than 90 seconds into the game when his wrist shot snuck past the Babson goaltender to the glove side. While both teams had chances, Andersson and his counterpart were impressive between the pipes to keep it a one-goal game into the third period. Babson cashed in on a power play chance just over five minutes into the third period, then struck again with just over a minute remaining to sneak away with the win.
 
Plymouth State falls to 1-1, while Babson improves to 1-0.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 1, Babson 2
  • Plymouth State (1-1)
  • Babson (1-0)

How it Happened:

• The Panthers wasted little time getting the home crowd into it, scoring just 1:26 into play. McPherson picked up an errant puck on the left side and centered to junior Niks Krollis (Riga, Latvia) at the blue line. Krollis sent the puck right back to McPherson, who skated in before firing a wrister into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
• Babson had a golden opportunity to draw even midway through the second period when the Beavers had a pair of shots from point-blank range, but Andersson made two brilliant stops to keep PSU in front.
• The Beavers cashed in on a man-advantage at 5:13 of the third period when a pass from behind goal line through the crease found freshman Wyatt George for a one-timer.
• Plymouth State turned up the offensive intensity and maintained steady zone pressure over the last eight minutes, but the Panthers were unable to regain the lead.
• With time running out, a Babson skater came in from the left corner, before passing across to the weakside where Thomas Kramer whipped a quick shot high just inside the nearside post for what would prove to be the game winner.

By the Numbers:

• McPherson's tally was the 14th of his career. Krollis picked up his first point in a Panthers' uniform.
• Andersson finished with 27 saves, including many incredible stops, but dropped to 1-1 on the season.
• The two teams met twice during last year's short season, with Babson coming away with a pair of narrow victories. The Beavers have won each of the last four meetings.

Up Next:

• Plymouth State is home against next Saturday (Nov. 6) for a non-conference clash with Anna Maria College at 6:00 p.m.