RUTLAND, Vt. – Anton Tarvainen scored twice in the third period to erase a 2-0 deficit, but Mike Egan got the game-winner with 28.6 seconds left in overtime as the Castleton University men's hockey team was edged by Babson, 3-2, in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) play on Saturday.

After a regroup in the neutral zone, Beaver defenseman Connor Dahlman banked a pass to Matt Weisner, who dropped it to Egan just inside the blue line. Egan's play toward the goal deflected off a Spartan defender and in with just 28.6 seconds remaining in overtime.

The tough-luck Spartans drop to 1-5-1 (1-4-1 NEHC), while Babson earned the weekend split to improve to 3-3-0 (2-2-0 NEHC).

Tarvainen put Castleton on the board near the mid-way point of the third period when he powered a wrist shot over the goalie's glove from the slot. Asa Palker started the play on the forecheck and Alex Maunula picked up the primary assist on the pass from the corner. 

Then, Tarvainen netted the tying goal with 5:56 remaining in regulation. After winning the faceoff in the Babson end, Asa Palker drilled a wrist shot off the post with Tarvainen crashing the net for the rebound into the open net. 

Babson snagged a 1-0 lead 23 seconds into regulation when Trevor Marcinick pushed in a rebound off a shot from Patrick Flynn. Following a scoreless second period, Ryan McDougall made it 2-0 for the visitors at 8:23 of the third period on a one-timed slap shot from the point on the power play. Patrick Flynn got his second assist of the afternoon on the goal. Cam Schmitt also got an assist on the play.

Tarvainen nearly won it for the Spartans on a breakway in overtime when his backhand shot flipped over the goalie's pad, but the puck was smothered before it could cross the goal line.

Both teams killed penalties late in the contest. Castleton was called for a minor with 56 seconds left in regulation and the squads briefly played 4-on-4 after a Beaver penalty 29 seconds into overtime.

Aidan Murphy was the winner in goal for Babson with a 25-save performance. Kyle Alaverdy made 38 saves for the Spartans. Babson went 1-for-3 on the power play and Castleton was unsuccessful in four tries with the man-advantage.

Castleton returns to action after Thanksgiving on Friday when it hosts the Castleton Invitational. Curry and Fredonia square off at 4 p.m. before the Spartans play Nazareth at 7 p.m.