The 1921–22 MIT Engineers men's ice hockey season was the 21st season of play for the program. The Engineers were coached by Powers in his 1st season.
Season
Learning from the mistakes of '21, new head coach Powers had the team hit the ice as soon as the football season had finished.[1] The team did what they could to get ready, however, their opening match came against one of the best teams from Canada, McGill. The Redmen had no sympathy for the Engineers and steamrolled MIT 2–8. Though not unexpected, the loss was an ill omen for MIT's season and things weren't expected to get any easier in the next game. While they hadn't started the season well, Yale was still a dangerous team and never lost to MIT previously. The training that the team had undergone since early December finally paid off and the Engineers played like a well-oiled machine. MIT was outmatched by Yale's size and speed but they utilized one another to the utmost to keep the puck away from the Elis. When Yale did get control, the defense was aided by the backchecking forwards and slowed down the Bulldog attack. DuVernet was particularly conspicuous in the game and, though he failed to score, was responsible for constantly keeping the Yale defense off balance.[2]
The historic victory for MIT spurred the team on and they took down Dalhousie in the same manner the following week. The Engineers then set their sights on Boston College and jumped out to a 2-goal lead in the first. Unfortunately, BC was one of the top offensive teams in the country and were able to claw their way back in the final two periods to give the Engineers their first intercollegiate loss of the season.[3] The team seemed to carry their offensive hangover into the next game and were outplayed by MAC for the first two periods. Luckily, the defense held the fort and stopped everything that was thrown at Nickle. After shaking off their doldrums, MIT exploded for 6 goals, exploiting an Aggie squad that expended all of its energy in the first two periods.[4]
With a championship still possible for the Engineers, the team entered its game with Harvard looking for a repeat of the Yale match. Early on, the MIT defense succeeded in breaking up many passing plays by the Crimson forwards. Unfortunately, once Harvard realized that teamwork wasn't succeeding, they changed to playing as individuals. Almost as soon as that happened, the Engineers' defense collapsed. MIT wasn't able to keep up with their speedier opponents and time and again a solo rush up the ice ended with a Harvard goal. To make matters worse, Harvard was also one of the best defensive teams in the country and gave the Engineers few opportunities to score. When the dust settled the score was 2–9 and any hopes that MIT had for a title had been erased.[5]
A malaise settled over the team and the Engineers lost their next three games, culminating with the rematch with BC. The Engineers were a shell of their former selves and were easily dispatched by the Eagles 0–6. Fortunately, by the time they hit the road for the final match, the Engineers had shaken themselves out of their funk and were ready to end the season on a high note. Due to warm weather, the game was played on a nearby pond and was dominated by the rough state of the ice. DuVernet and MacNeil were outstanding in the match, stopping many rushes from Williams. captain Nickle turned aside everything that leaked through, though he did receive a penalty for kneeling on the ice to stop a shot. Goals from MacNeill and Dalton ensured that the team would head home as victors.[6]
