Henniker, N.H. - Led by solid performances from both of their captains, the Spartans men's hockey team earned a 4-3 victory over New England College in Henniker on Friday night. 

Captain Dan Bell and Brett Zeggil each scored to lead their team to an important conference victory. With the win, the Spartans improve to 12-5-2 on the year, including a seven-game unbeaten streak. The victory ensured that the Spartans would remain tied for second place in the ECAC East, with a record of 7-4-1.  

Castleton took the lead on a goal from captain Brett Zeggil with 7:56 remaining in the first period. The senior received a pass from Spartans' all-time assist leader Josh Harris and flipped it home past Pilgrim goaltender Shawn Sirman to put the Spartans up 1-0.

New England College responded with a goal of their own five minutes later to tie the tilt at 1-1. Ben Souders found a way to beat Spartan goalie Erick Cinotti with 2:51 remaining in the first. Andreas Persson and Sho Kawachi each earned assists on the play.

In the second period, Spartan defender found the net on a power play goal. Ryan Frost and Ben Schoeneberger received assists on the play as Delorme smoked a shot past Sirman to lift the Spartans into a one-goal lead. Captain Dan Bell lit the lamp just a few minutes later, giving Castleton the 3-1 advantage nearing the midway point of the second period.

The two-goal cushion didn't last long, as the Pilgrims answered just 1:13 later. At the 10:15 mark, Johney Parisecornier put the puck past Cinotti to pull the Pilgrims back to within one goal. 

In the third period, Castleton went back to their hot hand to seal the game. Josh Harris, the team's leading scorer, tallied his 11th goal of the season to extend the Spartan lead to 4-2. Justin Alonzo (14) and Dan Bell (12) were credited with assists on the play. 

With 48 seconds remaining, New England College scored to cut the lead to one goal, but the Spartans were able to stave off the pesky Pilgrims and earn the 4-3 victory.

Erick Cinotti made 16 saves in the Spartan victory, improving his record to 11-2-0 on the season, while Shawn Sirman stopped 33 shots for the Pilgrims, and fell to 4-11-2 on the year.

Castleton will take on St. Anselm tomorrow in a battle for second place in the ECAC East. The puck drops at 4 p.m.