HENNIKER, N.H. – For the third time this season, Castleton men's hockey's freshman goalie Brandon Collett surpassed 50 saves, but it was not enough as the Spartans dropped a 4-2 decision on the road at New England College on Friday.  

Castleton drew the game even at two in the third period, but the Pilgrims used third-period goals from Nikita Pintusov and Bernie McGovern to win it. Castleton falls to 5-10-2 (3-6-1 NEHC) and New England College, after appearing in the "receiving votes" section of the most recent USCHO poll, improves to 11-4-1 (8-2-0 NEHC). 

Sophomores Anton Tarvainen and Sam Rennert supplied the scoring for the Spartans. Dom Kuziak, Brian Leonard, and Jacob Erwin picked up assists. 

Pintusov's goal for NEC was his 20th of the year to become the first player in all of men's college hockey (Divisions I/III) to reach the milestone. The power-play marker at 8:19 of the third period proved to be the winning goal. Alex Laplante and Trevor Momot scored in the first period to put the Pilgrims up a pair. 

Tarvainen's fifth goal of the campaign at 11:06 of the second period was the only tally of the middle frame and pulled the Spartans to within one. Then, Rennert tied it up just 31 seconds into the third with his second goal of the season. 

Castleton's power play came up empty in seven attempts, including two consecutive man-up opportunities shortly after NEC re-gained the lead in the third period. The Pilgrims scored once in four tries on the power play.    

Collett was in the teens in each of the three periods to finish with an even 50 saves. Anthony Pupplo turned aside 17 saves for the hosts.

Castleton will finish the weekend at Southern Maine on Saturday with a new 3:30 p.m. start time. The Huskies pulled off a 2-2 draw with #4 Norwich on Friday.