RUTLAND, Vt. – The Castleton men's hockey team concluded their four-game homestand with a matchup against No. 5 Norwich University Saturday afternoon, allowing two first-period goals in a 3-1 loss in front of the home crowd.
 
Jackson Kobelka scored his third goal of the season for the Spartans in the loss, with the helper from Bryce Irwin pushing the sophomore's total to ten assists on the year. Making the start in net, Brandon Collett was excellent for Castleton despite allowing the trio of goals, making several highlight-reel denials in a 38-save effort.
 
The Cadets (14-4-2, 10-1-2 NEHC) took the lead late in the first period after a pair of goals from Philip Elgstam put Norwich up 2-0 at the first intermission.
 
The Spartans responded well in the second, scoring on their first powerplay opportunity of the night. Taking advantage of a Cadet line change, Zach Papapetros sent the puck from his own zone toward the cutting Irwin at the blue line. The sophomore controlled it and fed it to Kobelka in front of net who coolly sent it into the back of the net to make it a one-score game.
 
But after starting the period with two powerplays of their own, the Spartans struggled to stay out of the box for the remainder of the period, and on Norwich's second 5-on-3 opportunity of the frame they were able to extend their lead back to two on Elgstam's third of the night.
 
Both sides created good chances in the final period, with Castleton holding a slight 10-8 advantage in shots, but neither were able to find paydirt, resulting in the 3-1 loss for Castleton.
 
The Spartans return to action Tuesday, January 24 to take on Skidmore College in a game that was rescheduled from earlier this month. Puck drop for the NEHC bout is at 7 p.m.