NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Nationally top-ranked Norwich continued its historic shutout streak to 393:51 with its seventh consecutive game without surrendering a goal as it dismantled the Castleton University men's hockey team, 9-0, in the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) Quarterfinals.

Castleton finishes its season 6-17-3. Meanwhile, Norwich will host New England College next Saturday in the semifinals. The Cadets are 22-2-2 and unbeaten in their last 16 games (14-0-2). Their last loss was a 2-1 defeat to Castleton back on Dec. 6.

Gabriel Chicoine had a game-high four assists for Norwich, while Taeron Lewis finished with two goals and an assist and Brett Ouderkirk went for a goal and three helpers. Connor Swystun, Coby Downs, Jordan Hall, and Maxime Bourdas all had multi-point nights. 

Tom Aubrun turned aside 19 shots for his seventh shutout in a row. 

Norwich scored the first goal 3:38 into the contest and added another at the 14-minute mark to take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. The Cadets wasted no time in scoring seven seconds into the second and again at the 3:01 mark to lead by four. Then, Norwich exploded for five more, the final with 19 seconds left, to complete the scoring in the third. 

Castleton was in penalty trouble all night, as it committed 11 infractions for 49 minutes. The Norwich power play connected three times in eight chances. Castleton's only power-play opportunity came in the first period and it came up empty.

Spartan starter Brandon Collett was chased after allowing five goals in 44:28 of work. He made 32 saves. Kyle Alaverdy surrendered four goals, two on the power play, over the final 15:32.

Castleton has 22 eligible returners for the 2020-21 season.