Rutland, Vt. - Penalties and power play goals proved to be the difference at Spartan Arena on Friday night as Castleton fell 3-1 to New England College in a battle of ECAC East foes. The Spartans took seven penalties to the Pilgrims' three and surrendered a pair of power play goals on the evening.

In the first, Castleton took the lead with a goal from Ross Herzog. The senior was screening the New England College goalie when Patrick Thornton ripped a shot from the point. Herzog found a way to redirect the puck past Anderson to put the Spartans ahead 1-0.

The second period saw the Spartans in the box several times. Castleton was called for four penalties in the frame, resulting in several opportunities for the Pilgrims. NEC put up 10 shots on goal in the frame, and knocked home a pair of goals. 

Kyle Manlow tied the game on a power play goal with assists going to James O'Reilly and Cheyne Matheson. The Spartans took a pair of penalties on the same whistle creating a 5-on-3, and the Pilgims capitalized. The visitors cycled the puck until Manlow found an opening and buried the puck.

Just over two minutes later, Andreas Persson notched a goal to put the Pilgrims ahead 2-1. Shawn Watson skated the puck into the Castleton zone, held the break at the point while his teammates filled the zone, and fired a rocket towards the net. Persson redirected the puck just past Shelley to give the Pilgrims the lead.

In the third period, Castleton outshot the visiting Pilgrims 5-3, but couldn't beat Anderson again. After another Castleton penalty, Manlow found the net on the man-advantage for the second time on the evening, ripping a wrister from the right slot to put the Pilgrims up 3-1.

Thomas Shelley finished with 15 saves in net for the Spartans and took the loss. Sebastian Anderson turned away 26 attempts from the Spartans and earned the win for NEC. 

Castleton falls to 9-9-1 on the season, but will skate again on Saturday, Jan. 25 when they host St. Anselm. Castleton beat the Hawks 4-2 earlier in the season and will look to rebound against the team after losing three of their last four games.