Men's Ice Hockey

February 15, 2008

Men's Ice Hockey Drops 6-1 Decision To Castleton


SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. ? The Saint Michael's College men's ice hockey team fell behind early and never recovered in suffering a 6-1 loss to Castleton State College in ECAC East action on Friday at Cairns Arena.

For Castleton (10-10-2, 8-6-2 ECAC East), sophomore Evan Romeo (Kanata, Ontario) tallied a pair of first-period goals, while classmate Steve Culbertson (Bowling Green, Ohio) added a goal and two assists. Junior Mike Anderson (Oshkosh, Wis.) and freshmen Omar Pacha (Boucherville, Que.) and Stuart Stefan (Delhi, Ontario) also scored, while sophomores Jeff Alexander (Gilbert, Ariz.) tallied three assists Junior Jeff Swanson (Grand Haven, Mich.) recorded 22 saves to improve to 7-5-1 on the season. Castleton improves to 6-0-1 in its last seven games, outscoring its competition 30-13 in that span.

For Saint Michael's (9-11-1, 4-11-1 ECAC East), junior Chris Healey (Salem, N.H.) netted an even-strength goal off of assists from seniors Matt Hall (Scituate, Mass.) and Erik Caron (Kanata, Ontario). Junior Tyler Bilton (Penticton, B.C./Finlandia Univ.) stopped 33 shots in net for the Purple Knights, who fall to 7-2-1 at home this season. Saint Michael's has lost its last three contests, just the second time this season that the Purple Knights have dropped more than two games in a row.

The Spartans opened the scoring 3:45 into the contest, as Alexander fed Romeo for a one-timer that went to Bilton's right. Castleton doubled its lead nine minutes later, as Romeo stuffed home a rebound during the Spartans' first power-play chance. Castleton converted on its next man-advance opportunity as well, with Pacha slipping a wrister past Bilton for his second goal of the season with 3:28 left in the opening frame.

Saint Michael's got on the scoreboard 7:47 into an evenly-played second period, as Healey took a pass from Hall and wristed a point-blank shot past Swanson for his ninth goal of the season. The Spartans, however, restored their three-goal lead less than five minutes later on Anderson's first goal of the season.

Castleton sealed the victory with a pair of goals in the final six minute of play, as Culbertson lit the lamp for his seventh goal of the season with 5:18 to go, and Stefan connected on a power play tally with 1:37 left.

Saint Michael's returns to action on Saturday with a 3 p.m. league contest versus Skidmore College. Castleton visits in-state rival Norwich University on Saturday for a 4 p.m. tilt.

GAME SUMMARY 1 2 3 Total

Castleton 3 1 2 -- 6

Saint Michael's 0 1 0 -- 1

First Period - Scoring: 1. CST, Romeo (Barber, Alexander), 3:45. 2. CST, Romeo (Culbertson, Alexander), 12:51 (pp). 3. CST, Pacha (Culbertson, Bolduc), 16:32 (pp). Penalties: Alexander, CST (cross-checking), 6:12; Anctil, SMC (hooking), 12:09; Nannicelli, SMC (holding), 15:01; Legare, SMC (slashing), 18:11; Rigtrup, SMC (contact to the head-elbowing), 19:00.

Second Period - Scoring: 4. SMC, Healey (Hall, Caron), 7:47. 5. CST, Anderson (Carmichael, Curtis), 12:26. Penalties: Nannicelli, SMC (interference), 10:00; 19, CST (goaltender interference), 12:42.

Third Period - Scoring: 6. CST, Culbertson (Alexander), 14:42. 7. CST, Stefan (Link, Heck), 18:23 (pp). Penalties: Vorozilchak, SMC (hitting from behind), 6:03; Caron, SMC (boarding), 6:51; Pacha, CST (hooking), 7:25; Hall, SMC (cross-checking), 17:47.

Shots on Goal: CST (14 ? 11 ? 14 ? 39), SMC (4 ? 10 ? 9 ? 23).

Saves: CST, Swanson (23 shots, 22 saves); SMC, Bilton (39 shots, 33 saves).

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