South Burlington, VT - Sophomore Evan Romeo tallied a pair of first-period goals, while classmate Steve Culbertson added a goal and two assists to lead Castleton State College to a 6-1 ECAC East victory over host Saint Michael's.
Junior Mike Anderson and freshmen Omar Pacha and Stuart Stefan also scored, while sophomores Jeff Alexander tallied three assists Junior Jeff Swanson recorded 22 saves to improve to 7-5-1 on the season. Castleton is unbeaten in its last seven games, improving to 6-0-1, outscoring its competition 30-13 in that span.
For Saint Michael's (9-11-1, 4-11-1 ECAC East), junior Chris Healey netted an even-strength goal off of assists from seniors Matt Hall and Erik Caron. Junior Tyler Bilton 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 10-10-2 (8-6-2 ECAC East) 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.
