RUTLAND, Vt. - The eighth-ranked Spartans failed to find the back of the net on senior night and dropped a 1-0 decision to Skidmore on the final day of the regular season at Spartan Arena on Saturday evening.

Castleton was shutout for the first time since the 2009-10 season as the team dropped to 17-6-2 overall and 12-4-2 in the ECAC East. The Spartans will enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed. Skidmore, meanwhile, improves to 11-12-2 overall and 9-9-0 in conference action.

Both teams had their chances in the first two periods, but neither could find the back of the net. Senior Seth McNary (Woburn, Mass.) was strong in net, denying the Thoroughbreds multiple opportunities in front and finishing with 18 saves through the first 40 minutes. His counterpart, Colin Bessey (Montclair, N.J.), shut down the nation's highest scoring offense in the first two periods, with 13 saves.

Skidmore earned a power play opportunity just 2:50 into the final period and connected at the 3:40 mark to grab a 1-0 advantage. Aaron Beck (Maribel, Wisc.) pushed the puck home right in front on assists from Alex Essaris (Dollard-Des-Ormaux, Que.) and Julian Malakorn (Warwick, R.I.).

The Spartans tried to counter but couldn't light the lamp, even with an extra defender on the ice in the final minute. McNary finished the evening with 22 saves while Essaris earned the shutout with 20 stops in net.

The contest also marked the final home regular season contest for McNary and classmates Cody Ayers (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Lindsey Gullet (Wawanesa, Man.) and Tyler Atkins (Brockville, Ont.). The foursome leaves as the winningest class in program history with a record of 64-31-10.

Castleton returns to the ice next Saturday when they host an ECAC East Quarterfinal game with the opponent and time yet to be determined.