HENNIKER, N.H. - Junior Martins Leps (Riga, Latvia) played hero for men's ice hockey on Friday night, scoring the game-winning goal in the third period against nationally ranked Babson – the Pilgrims' third consecutive win over the Beavers dating back to last postseason. 

The 11th ranked Beavers entered the day with the best record in the Little East with just two losses in conference play, one of which came in early January when the 'Grims defeated them 2-1 on their home ice. 

Just as they had in each of their last two meetings, NEC took an early lead on Babson as freshman Emil Elias (Ekerö, Sweden) netted the first goal of his collegiate career on a strike just 2:08 into the first period. The defensive duo of freshman Jack Brennan (Hingham, Mass.) and junior Christophe Petit (Chelsea, Quebec) were credited with the assists on the game-opening score. 

Babson responded with a goal of their own from Egan Schmitt with 1:12 left in the first period and put the Pilgrims in a less familiar position as they took the lead with a short-handed score by Nolan Woudenberg 5:00 into the second. 

The Beavers held the lead for over 20 minutes of game time until Elias came through again for the Pilgrims, scoring his second goal of the day off beautiful passing from captains Jack Herron (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) and Gunnar Sibley (Monticello, Minn.) 

With 8:57 left, it was Leps who emerged as the unlikely hero as the Latvian defenseman scored his first career goal in his 66th career game for the 'Grims. Senior Graham Hassan (Pinckney, Mich.) earned the assist on the eventual game-winning goal from Leps. 

Sophomore Anthony Beaulieu (Lawrence, Mass.) was exceptional for the 'Grims, making 33 saves in the win. Across the team's three wins against Babson dating back to last postseason, Beaulieu has accrued 104 saves with a .972 save percentage and a 1.00 goals-against average. 

Babson has just four losses on the season, half of which have come at the hands of the Pilgrims as Beaulieu and company have had the Beavers' number of late. 

The Pilgrims return to action tomorrow at 4:00 PM as they host the University of Southern Maine on senior day.  

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