After a disappointing start to the season, the Lord Jeffs have upped their level of play recently, going undefeated in their last five games. This five-game run, unmatched since the 2000-01 team ran off three such streaks, has come at the most opportune time, as the Jeffs are now firmly entrenched in the NESCAC playoff picture.

The Jeffs opened their weekend by traveling to Connecticut College, the league's cellar dweller. After playing well last weekend, beating Williams and tying Middlebury Colleges, the Jeffs may have come out flat against the Camels, and it showed in the final result. "We get up for the big games like Williams and Middlebury," said goaltender Sean Lynch '06. "But it's tough psychologically to play teams like Tufts and Conn. who are closer to the bottom of the conference"

The Jeffs outshot the Camels, and most of the play was in Conn.'s defensive zone during the first period, but neither team was able to pierce the scoring column. In the second period both teams continued to play well defensively, but the Jeffs cracked first.

Joe Deck gave the Camels a 1-0 lead with just 27 seconds remaining in the period. The Jeffs were able to knot the score halfway through the final frame as Mike Kreger '04 scored a power play goal, his ninth of the season, with just over nine minutes left in regulation. Defensemen John McNicholas '04 and Chris Norqual '04 both assisted on the goal.

Neither team could break the tie in the overtime session, which was fitting as both teams were evenly matched during the game. The Jeffs managed 30 shots, while goalie Sean Lynch '06 continued his superior play by turning away 28. The two teams both had six penalties and four power plays. "We wanted to get on the board early," said Lynch. "But their goaltender had a tremendous game. We've been getting behind all season like we did against Conn.; but we've been coming back."

With the tie, the Jeffs all but secured themselves a spot in the playoffs, but their overtime win over Tufts the next day cemented their position.

Again, the Jeffs doubled up their opponent in shots during the first period, but neither team was able to put points on the board. The Jumbos opened up a two goal lead midway through the second period but the Jeffs chipped away at the lead later in the period. Just 11 seconds after the Jeffs got a four-on-three power play, Beau Kretzman '05 tallied his league-leading 19th goal of the season, on an assist from Captain Erich Schram '03.

The Jeffs then tallied the equalizer 1:12 into the third period. Thierry Pauyo '05 scored his second goal of the season off an assist from Justin Pitrack '03. The Jeffs, however, were unable to hold the lead. The Jumbos answered ten minutes later with a power play goal of their own, but the Jeffs conjured up some of their late-game magic again.

Steve Nelson '06, one of the top- scoring freshmen in the NESCAC, tied the game with 90 seconds remaining, with assists going to McNicholas and Norqual. The Jeffs were headed to overtime for the third consecutive game. "We were down again and pulled the goalie and scored pretty quickly off a faceoff, sending the game into OT," said Lynch.

In the overtime period each team had two shots, but Jeffs freshman Ted Bickel potted the winning goal with 1:18 remaining in the overtime period, earning the Jeffs their second straight three-point weekend.

This upcoming weekend the Jeffs face one of their tougher tests of the season when Bowdoin and Colby Colleges come to town. Colby currently sits in a tie for second place in the NESCAC, while Bowdoin is fourth. Both teams have already sewed up home ice for the first round of the conference tournament. With solid play, the Jeffs can overtake Hamilton College-which has slipped in recent weeks-for fifth place in the conference.

"There's a good chance we'll play one of the teams we play this weekend in the conference tournament," Lynch said.