RUTLAND, Vt. – The Castleton men's hockey team hosted Skidmore College for the second tilt in their conference series Tuesday night, falling 6-2 at Spartan Arena.
 
The Spartans (6-15-0, 4-10-0 NEHC) were narrowly outshot in the contest 37-35, with each side converting once on the powerplay, but it was the five unanswered goals the Thoroughbreds (13-6-2, 7-5-2 NEHC) scored through the opening two periods that proved to be the difference maker in Tuesday's rematch.
 
Castleton created the first couple chances of the game from Bryce Irwin and Grady Birk, but it was Skidmore opening up the scoring just under three minutes into the period after following their own shot two times before finally sneaking one past Brandon Collett. Goals at the 6:58 and 10:42 marks would increase the Thoroughbreds' lead to 3-0 entering the first break.
 
Skidmore started the second period on the powerplay after a holding call on Jackson Kobelka at the end of the first, and would push their lead to four with the man advantage, scoring again 30 seconds later to make it a 5-0 game.
 
The Spartans finally broke through just under five minutes into the final period, with Stone Stelzl serving as the benefactor of their first powerplay opportunity of the night.  
 
The junior rebounded a shot by Romeo Torain and sent it back out to the sophomore. Torain returned the puck to Stelzl who carried it into the slot before rifling a shot into the bottom corner to cut the deficit to four.
 
The Thoroughbreds regained a five-goal lead with a score at the 9:26 mark, but it was Castleton striking again with three minutes left in regulation on Irwin's fifth of the season.
 
The puck bounced around center ice before Zach Trempner controlled it for the Spartans with a backhand to Andrew Stefura. The sophomore combined with Irwin and sent a shot on goal that was denied, but there for the rebound was Irwin to make it 6-2. The goal brings Irwin's season point total to a team-best 17 points coming on five goals and 12 assists, as the sophomore has now tallied six points in his last four games.
 
The Spartans would go on the powerplay one more time late in the game but were unable to convert, resulting in the 6-2 loss.
 
Castleton returns to action Friday, February 3 as they take on Elmira College in their second annual Breaking the Ice on Mental Health Game. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.