RUTLAND, Vt. - The Castleton University men's hockey team skated to a hard-fought 2-2 tie with UMass Boston at Spartan Arena. Friday evening marked the program's first Breaking the Ice on Mental Health Game, with all proceeds from the event going to Rutland Regional Medical Center's Behavioral Health Services.
Until the end of February, fans have the opportunity to purchase any of the special jerseys worn by the Spartans. Click
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In a back-and-forth first period, Castleton (4-18-2, 0-15-2 NEHC) led 1-0 early before UMass Boston (14-7-3, 10-4-3 NEHC) evened the score midway through the frame. The Spartans would regain the lead before the first intermission, but later surrender a second period goal. It was the solid goaltending from
Kyle Alaverdy that kept the Beacons off the board late - he made 46 saves on the evening, including 15 in the third period and five in the extra session.
Brandon Picard netted the hosts' first goal, delivering his team-leading seventh of the season. The junior one-timed a pass from
Jahwara Rennalls past UMass Boston's Sam Best at the 3:52 mark of the first period.
Zach Trempner, who has goals in back-to-back games, passed back-and-forth with
Glenn Wiswell on an odd-man rush before burying a wrister for the fourth tally of his freshman campaign, which leads all Spartan rookies.
UMass Boston's Ethan Nitkin tied the game with just over two minutes remaining in the second period. From that point on, Alaverdy and Best traded impressive saves until the final horn.
Castleton came up with a key penalty kill in the final minutes of the third as Trempner was sent to the box for high sticking. It was just the Beacons' second power play of the evening. They would see another man-up opportunity in the opening minute of the extra session, but would ultimately take a penalty of their own as the two sides returned to three-on-three action.
Zach Papapetros had the Spartans' lone shot on goal in overtime. Best would finish the game with 20 saves to his credit.
The Spartans are back in action Saturday afternoon, wrapping up the regular season with a 4 p.m. battle against Johnson & Wales. Senior Day festivities at Spartan Arena will take place following the game.
