Castleton, VT-The 11 th ranked Castleton State College men's ice hockey team ran their win streak to eight straight games and remained unbeaten at the Rutland Regional Fieldhouse with a 5-3 ECAC East win over Babson.

Ross Carmichael led the 13-3-3 (8-2-3) Spartans, registering a hat-trick, with a pair of goals in the second period and one in the third. The two teams were knotted at zero after the first period, with Babson holding a 13-6 shot advantage after one. Jeff Swanson was on point in net for Castleton turning away all 13 attempts.

Babson opened the scoring in just 31 seconds into the second period when their leading scorer, Brad Baldelli, scored off from a John Geverd feed. Carmichael would answer just 28 seconds later with his first goal of the game assisted by Travis Martel and Joe Huchko. J.T. Balben would give the Beavers their final lead of the game when he scored, assisted by Baldelli. Once again Carmichael answered on the power-play, and Kirk Bolduc scored with just over one minute remaining in the period to give the Spartans a 3-2 lead hading into the final intermission.

Carmichael scored the game winner less than 10 minutes into the final period, and last night's hero, Steve Smiddy tacked on an insurance goal at the 15 minute mark. Balben would bring Babson within two with under two minutes remaining but they would get no closer as Castleton held on.

Freshman Ryan Moses played all 60 minutes in goal for the 10-8 (7-6 ECAC East) Beavers, recording 16 saves. Swanson earned the win stopping 25 shots on net. Castleton will travel to Southern Maine on Friday for a pivotal ECAC East match-up. Heading into today's action the Spartans were tied with huskies for the top spot in the conference with 17 points apiece. Babson will play host to ECAC East foe, New England College on Friday night at 7:00 as well.