RUTLAND, Vt. - The Castleton University men's hockey team rolled to a 4-2 win over St. Michael's College Tuesday evening at Spartan Arena. Two rookies netted their first collegiate goals, while Bryce Irwin's second period tally broke a 2-2 tie and served as the game-winner. 

The Spartans' deep freshmen class was on full display Tuesday night. Dylan Thackeray put the hosts on the board midway through the first period with a rocket from the right circle, marking his first career goal. Fellow freshman Zach Trempner elit the lamp for the first time in the opening minutes of the second period before a third freshman, Irwin, gave Castleton (4-8-1, 0-5-1 NEHC) the lead. 

The Purple Knights (1-5-0, 1-2-0 NE-10) evened the score at 1-1 late in the first period and would take a one-goal advantage at the three minute mark of the second. The busy second frame would be highlighted by a pair of Spartan goals, sending the hosts to the final intermission with a 3-2 lead over the intrastate foe. 

Brandon Picard netted an insurance goal in the final minutes, redirecting Andrew Barber's missile. St. Michael's would pull its goalie shortly after, but Brandon Collett stood tall between the pipes facing a flurry of late Purple Knight shots. In his third start of the season, Collett logged the full 60 minutes and made 33 saves, including five in the final minute to thwart the comeback attempt. 

St. Michael's claimed a 35-20 advantage in shots on goal. Conner Ladabouche led an evenly-spread offensive attack with three. 

Tuesday night's contest marked the end of a home stretch for the Spartans - they'll return to NEHC play with a trip to Skidmore Friday evening.