RUTLAND, Vt. - The Castleton University men's hockey team opened its 2021-22 campaign with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Wentworth Institute of Technology Friday evening at Spartan Arena. The resilient hosts trailed 2-1 in the second period before newcomer
Brandon Picard evened the score and
Andrew Stefura netted the go-ahead goal in the waning minutes of the third period.
Wentworth struck first just six minutes into the opening period, but freshman
Zach Papapetros' tally in his Castleton debut would send the non-conference foes into the first intermission at a 1-1 deadlock. Papapetros received pass from Picard and one-timed rocket from just in front of the blue line.
The visitors would go on to take a 2-1 advantage midway through the second period, but it was Picard's tally that erased the deficit. The puck found its way to Picard off the stick of
Justin Stairs and the newly-added transfer sent a wrister past the glove hand of Wentworth's Connor Carbo with three minutes remaining in the second stanza.
Strong Spartan debuts became a theme as rookie Stefura posted what would prove to be the game-winner with just under six minutes remaining. The freshman forward gathered a pass from fellow first-year
Bryce Irwin and the well-placed shot found the back of the net from the top of the right face-off circle.
Anton Tarvainen contributed an insurance goal less than two minutes later. He corralled a loose puck off the original attempt from
Jahwara Rennalls, tapping it home just in front of the crease. Tarvainen now has double-digit goals on his career.
Eight different Spartans registered points, four of which were newcomers. Stairs led the assist category with two.
Netminder
Kyle Alaverdy totaled 37 saves, including 14 in the opening period. His 10 saves over the final 20 minutes held off the Leopard attack to preserve the victory. Wentworth's Carbo posted 15 saves. He was peppered with 10 Spartan shots in the final period.
Friday evening marked the first season-opening victory for Castleton since the 2017-18 season, which also came against Wentworth.
The Spartans head to Plattsburgh State tomorrow night to battle the Cardinals in non-conference action. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
