Rutland, Vt – The Spartans suffered a 2-1 heartbreaking loss to No. 2 Norwich, conceding a goal in the closing seconds that proved to be the game-winner.

The Cadets killed off a Spartan power play in the final minutes of the game, and found themselves on a 2-on-1 break with the final seconds winding off the clock. Cadet forward Dean Niezgoda found Colin Mulvey in the slot, and Mulvey wristed a heater just over the glove of Spartan goaltender Erick Cinotti that rattled off the crossbar and into the back of the net. Mulvey's last-second heroics made the score 2-1 with just 0:15 left in the game.

The Spartans were to first to score in the contest, jumping out to an early 1-0 lead when Nick Lazorko found the back of the net. Forward Josh Harris found Lazorko in the slot and the junior slipped it past Cadets netminder Chris Czarnota for the score.

Norwich answered late in the second period when Travis Janke beat Cinotti at the 16:02 mark. Janke received a pass from Mulvey and squeezed it past the Spartan goalie to tie the contest at 1-1.

The Cadets continued their offensive pressure, outshooting the Spartans 19-11 in the contest, including a second period where they outshot Castleton 11-1. The Spartans were steadfast on the defensive end, killing off three Norwich power plays in the second period, including a 5-on-3 chance for the Cadets.

Castleton had multiple chances in the third period, outshooting the Cadets 6-2 in the frame, but failed to convert on three power plays. The Spartans fell victim to a Norwich counter-attack in the final minute, when Mulvey beat Cinotti for the game-winning goal.

Norwich improves to 9-0-0 on the season, including a 7-0-0 record in the ECAC East. Castleton falls to 5-4-1 on the year, with a 3-4-1 mark in the ECAC East. The Spartans will take on Skidmore College on December 7 at Spartan Arena before going on a holiday break.