Manchester, N.H. - The Spartans earned their third consecutive win to begin the season with a 4-2 victory over ECAC East opponent Saint Anselm on Friday evening. Colin Murray netted a pair of goals and dished off an assist while Ross Herzog and Bart Moran each handed out a pair of assists.

Erick Cinotti earned his third win of the year in net, making 23 saves and helping the Spartans kill off five of the Hawks' seven power plays. For Saint Anselm, Robert Kang made 38 saves in the loss.

Castleton found itself in a 1-0 hole after the squad conceded a power play goal in the ninth minute of play. Chris Stachiw earned a two minute penalty seven minutes into the game, and the Hawks capitalized with a goal from Kevin Vanous.

The Spartans responded with a goal of their own just under three minutes later. Will Laking notched his second goal of the year to tie the game at 1-1 with nearly nine minutes left in the period. Murray and Moran each earned assists on the play.

In the second period, Murray earned a power play goal midway through the period. Castleton worked the puck around the zone on the man advantage before Murray beat Kang to put the Spartans up 2-1. Castleton outshot the Hawks 13-8 in the frame but could only crack Kang once in the second period.

The Spartans came out in the third and added an insurance goal. Patrick Thornton scored his first career goal off an assist from Herzog that held up as the eventual game-winner. Castleton held a 3-1 lead with just over 11 minutes remaining. 

Saint Anselm capitalized on a major penalty committed by Castleton forward Eric Mack. The Hawks scored a power play goal with 5:17 remaining to draw within one goal. Greg Merrill notched the tally with assists going to Byan Sullivan and Johnny Daniels. 

With a one-goal deficit, the Hawks chose to pull the goalie in the waning seconds of the game. Colin Murray capitalized on the opportunity and netted his second goal of the evening in the empty net, putting the Spartans up 4-2 with five seconds remaining. 

The Spartans improve to 3-0-0 on the season for the first time since the 2011-2012 season. That year the squad finished with 19 wins. The squad will travel to Henniker, N.H. on Saturday afternoon to take on New England College in another ECAC East clash.