February 8, 2008

Castleton leap-frogs Salem State in standings with 7-4 win

Rutland, VT-Junior captain, Brandon Heck tallied a pair of goals and two assists to lead Castleton State College to a 7-4 win over Salem State in ECAC East play. With the win the Spartans overtake fifth place in the conference standings, which was held by Salem State entering the contest.

Heck scored a backhander 2:36 into the first period from the front of the net to get the Spartans an early lead.

Castleton scored the next two just 22 seconds apart in the second period to push the lead up to 3-0. Evan Romeo scored his ninth goal of the season on a 1-on-1 opportunity with a wrist shot over the left shoulder of Viking goalie Ryan Hatch. Marlin Froese scored the third Spartan goal with a slap shot on a 2-on-1 breakaway, again over the shoulder of Hatch.

The Vikings came back 24 seconds later to take away some of the Castleton momentum with a 2-on-1 goal of their own. Justin Fox faked a pass and drove the net, finding enough room to slip the puck past Spartan net minder Jeff Swanson. Salem State cut the lead down to 3-2 as Aaron Blades batted the puck from the air and past Swanson.

Castleton took advantage of its second power play to make it a two-goal game. Travis Martell made a pass across the crease to Matt Link, getting the puck behind back up goalie James Lacour. Salem State scored with just 32 seconds left in the second period to cut the lead to one heading into the final period.

The Spartans turned the puck over in their defensive end and Chris MacInnis capitalized with another 2-on-1 goal. Stuart Stefan scored the game winning goal 5:56 into the third period with his ninth career goal. Blades scored the final Vikings goal off a rebound left by Swanson. Kirk Buldoc scored an insurance goal with a wrap around move from the left of Hatch, who replaced Lacour who left due to injury. Heck finished the scoring with his team leading 10th goal of the season by way of the empty net.

Swanson made 26 stops, including a number of sprawling saves, in the win. Hatch made all 25 saves for the Vikings in the losing effort.

Castleton moves to 8-10-2 (6-6-2 ECAC East), three points behind Southern Maine for 4th place in the conference. The Spartans look to make-up ground on the Huskies when the two face off Saturday at 4:00 pm at the Rutland Regional Field House. Salem State falls to 12-7-1 (6-7-1 ECAC East) and 6th place in conference. The Vikings travel to Skidmore for a 4:00 pm face off. [Box Score]

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