HENNIKER, N.H. - The Castleton University men's hockey team dropped a 5-3 conference battle at New England College Saturday afternoon despite a two-goal performance from captain Glenn Wiswell. 

The senior netted the Spartans' first two goals to move to 37 tallies on his career, which ranks fifth in the program's history. Wiswell's back-to-back tallies less than two minutes apart erased a 2-0 Pilgrim advantage. New England College (10-6-1, 5-6-1 NEHC) struck twice in the opening period, but the Spartans (4-14-1, 0-11-1 NEHC) would storm back to tie the contest just shy of the nine minute mark of the second frame. 

NEC would claim a 3-2 advantage midway through the second period to cap the busy stretch before a scoring drought. Neither side found the back of the net until the hosts buried an empty netter with less than two minutes remaining in the third. The Spartans would battle back, however, as Zach Papapetros scored on a power play opportunity off a feed from Wiswell to make it a one-goal contest. Another empty netter from the Pilgrims in the final seconds would deliver the final 5-3 margin. 

Brandon Collett logged just over 59 minutes between the pipes and posted 20 saves, including 13 in the second period that saw the Spartans overcome the early deficit. NEC's Andrew Kormos totaled 29 saves on the afternoon. 

Anton Tarvainen had another solid game in the face-off circle, compiling a 21-14 record. 

Next up for Castleton is a return to Spartan Arena, taking on Southern Maine Saturday, January 28. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.