By: Norwich University Athletics

NORTHFIELD, Vt.- The No. 15 Norwich University men's ice hockey team captured its first conference championship since the 2019–20 season on Saturday night, defeating No. 12 Babson 4–1 inside a jam-packed Kreitzberg Arena to claim the inaugural Little East Conference (LEC) Championship, presented by Townshend Hockey, and secure an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Several Cadets delivered multi-point performances in the title-clinching victory, including Nick Cordeiro (Mississauga, Ont.), Zach Ophoven (Burlington, Ont.), and Cooper Bertrand (Caledon, Ont.), who each recorded two points. In net, Tournament MVP Sami Molu (Toronto, Ont.) was outstanding, making 31 saves in the championship game and 61 saves on 62 shots across both LEC Tournament contests.

Babson applied pressure from the opening puck drop, testing Molu repeatedly in the early minutes. The Cadets' goaltender stood firm through the initial surge, keeping the game scoreless as the Beavers controlled much of the early possession.

Norwich broke through halfway through the opening period. Ben van Waterschoot (Whitby, Ont.) recovered the puck behind the Babson goal line and moved it to Ophoven, who quickly slid a pass back to Cordeiro in the slot. Cordeiro snapped a shot past Babson goaltender Nate Mueller to give the Cadets a 1–0 lead.

The Beavers continued to push the pace following the goal, but Molu remained sharp, turning aside several quality chances to preserve the advantage. Norwich capitalized again late in the period, stretching its lead against the run of play.

After Samuel Larsson (Stockholm, Sweden) blocked a Babson opportunity in the defensive zone, he immediately started a rush the other direction. With a delayed penalty coming against the Beavers, Larsson moved the puck left to Cordeiro, who found Ophoven driving the net. Ophoven finished the play to give Norwich a 2–0 lead with three minutes remaining in the opening frame.

Babson resumed its pressure in the second period and eventually broke through midway through the frame. Shortly after Norwich killed off a Babson power play, Mike Stevens found the back of the net to bring the Beavers within one.

The teams exchanged power-play opportunities throughout the remainder of the period, but both goaltenders came up with key saves. Mueller denied several Norwich chances while Molu continued to anchor the Cadets defensively, sending the game into the second intermission with Norwich holding a 2–1 lead.

Molu continued his standout performance in the third period, backstopping another critical penalty kill as Babson searched for the equalizer. The Cadets then seized a key moment midway through the final frame to restore their two-goal cushion.

Colin Elliott (Peterborough, Ont.) forced a takeaway in the defensive zone that found Bertrand, who quickly sent Niko Benjamin (Surprise, Ariz.) streaking through the neutral zone. Benjamin broke in alone and buried the breakaway chance to extend Norwich's lead to 3–1.

Facing a two-goal deficit late, Babson pulled Mueller for the extra attacker with three minutes remaining. The Cadets sealed the victory moments later when Bertrand forced another defensive-zone turnover and fired the puck into the empty net, setting off a celebration inside Kreitzberg Arena.

"I give all the credit in the world to this group," said Assistant Coach John Roberts. "We have had our fair share of ups and downs this year, but this group has never wavered. We have played close games all year and have learned from each of them.  We need a big goal; someone buries one. When we need a big block, someone puts their body on the line. When we need a save, we get one."

With the victory, Norwich claims the first-ever Little East Conference championship and earns the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Cadets will now await their postseason fate during the NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Selection Show on March 8 at 9:30 p.m., where the tournament field will be announced.