RUTLAND, Vt. - Competing in the opening round of the Terry Moran Invitational Tournament, the Castleton University men's hockey team cruised to a 7-2 victory over Rivier to claim a spot in the championship tilt. The Spartans will take on Franklin Pierce for the title Saturday at 4 p.m.

Castleton's seven-goal total marked the program's highest scoring output since the 2017-18 team netted the same amount against Wentworth in the season opener. 13 different skaters recorded at least a point in the all-around effort. 

The Spartans (2-6-1, 0-3-1 NEHC) raced out to a 4-0 lead over the Raiders (3-4-1) in the first 10 minutes of the contest with three of those tallies coming in the opening five. Andrew Stefura put the hosts on the board just 47 seconds after the opening face off as he received a centering pass and saw a golden opportunity in the slot. The freshman sent a quick wrister past the glove hand of the Raiders' netminder. 

Bryce Irwin tacked on another just shy of the two minute mark as he threw an off-angle shot on net and snuck it past the unsuspecting goalie. Brandon Picard scored on a breakaway just minutes later to extend the lead to 3-0. 

Sam Rennert rounded out the action-packed first period with a shorthanded goal. The Spartans had killed the majority of the penalty before the senior found a breakaway opportunity despite the disadvantage. 

Early-period scoring became a theme for the Spartans as Justin Stairs netted his first of the season in the opening minute of the second. Conner Ladabouche followed suit with the first of his junior campaign later in the period, seconds shy of the 16 minute mark. Anton Tarvainen delivered the seventh and final tally with less than two minutes remaining in the period. 

Rivier would muster a pair of goals in the third period. 

Brandon Collett made his second start of the season, earning his first win. The junior totaled 25 saves as the Spartans claimed a 32-27 advantage in shots on goal. 

The game featured just four penalties, all of which were called on Castleton. The Spartan penalty kill was three-for-four on the day. 

The Spartans will battle Franklin Pierce in the Terry Moran Invitational Tournament Championship tomorrow at 4 p.m.