Graddock's late goal lifts Panthers to tourney title

Author: Peter Baumann

In a season of change for the Middlebury men's hockey team, one thing remains constant - the Panthers keep on winning.

A day after coming from behind to beat St. Thomas 5-3, the Panthers bested in-state rival Norwich 3-2 on Nov. 29th to take home the PrimeLink Great Northern shootout.

The title is the fourth overall for the Panthers, and with the victories they improve their record to a perfect 4-0 on the year.

Against St. Thomas, the team showed the resiliency that has become a hallmark of Middlebury teams but lacking at some points during last year's campaign. After falling behind 2-0 early in the second period, Middlebury battled back, eventually tying the game at three on a rebound goal by John Sullivan '10.

While eventual tournament MVP Doug Raeder '09 continued to stand tall in goal, the Panther offense pressured the St. Thomas back-line, eventually drawing a penalty with just under four minutes to go. On the ensuing power play, Martin Drolet '12 scored the third goal of his rookie season, giving the Panthers the lead for good. An empty net tally from Jamie McKenna '09 provided the final margin.

"No matter what the circumstance was, everyone - first line through fourth line - was doing all the little things it takes to win a hockey game," said Mason Graddock '09. "We were down two goals for most of the game, but we battled and found a way to win."

The victory propelled the Panthers into the title game against Norwich, a team that had beaten the Panthers twice last year, including 5-2 in the 2007 edition of the PrimeLink shootout.

Middlebury started strong against the Cadets, with Sullivan recording his third goal of the weekend just 1:19 into the game. Middlebury controlled the play during the first period, yielding only four shots on goal in the entire frame.

A little over halfway through the second period, with Middlebury hanging to a 2-1 lead, the Panthers were dealt a seemingly precarious blow when Sullivan was given a five-minute major penalty for checking from behind - an offense which also carries with it a game misconduct.

But with one of their offensive weapons in the locker-room, the Panthers battened down the hatches during the penalty-kill, stifling the Norwich attack by forcing the Cadet attackers to the edges, a five-minute effort that resulted in one of the loudest fan eruptions Kenyon Arena has heard in years.

"When we were down a guy for five minutes Norwich only got one quality shot," said Raeder, "which is pretty impressive. Guys were shutting down lanes, blocking shots and letting me see the puck."

After giving up a power play goal midway through the third period, Middlebury took control offensively. With less than three minutes remaining Graddock corralled a rebound near the goal line, and, displaying patience and composure waited for the goalie to drop to the ice before burying the game-winner in the upper corner.

"There was a lot of traffic in front," said Graddock about his tally, "and all I saw was the puck pop out right in front of me, so I threw it in the open net."

The goal put the Panthers ahead for good, as Raeder's strong play in goal helped the Panthers protect the lead and avenge their losses from a year ago.

The fact that Middlebury has started out 4-0 is a testament to the team's adaptability, as it is playing with a new offensive system this year that they have not utilized in years past. During the majority of head coach Bill Beaney's tenure the team has played with three defensemen and two forwards, but this year Middlebury has reverted to the more traditional three forwards and two defensemen.

The idea was to create more offense, something the Panthers lacked at times last year. According to Graddock, the changes are working.

"With the new system I think guys are playing a little more free," he said. "Guys feel less constrained by the X's and O's of the system, and in that sense it has been less of a change and more of a loosening of the reins."

It is tough to argue with the results so far, with Middlebury sitting pretty after two NESCAC contests and two games against some of the top teams in the nation. What is particularly scary for future opponents is that only four games into the year, the new system is already providing offensive results - a scary proposition for any team faced with slowing down the Panthers once they truly get the hang of the setup.