PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's hockey team held its own against No. 7 Plattsburgh State on Saturday night, but a third-period outburst by the Cardinals gave the hosts a 6-3 triumph.

Andrew Stefura collected his second goal in as many games with an assist. Josef Vyvial recorded his first career score while Jackson Edwards also tossed in a tally. Bryce Irwin was tabbed with two dimes as Zach Trempner, Cedrick Theodore, and Zack Whittaker were credited with one helper apiece.

Dominic Rodrigue made 41 stops in the crease for the Spartans (0-2-0). Cam Reid added to his exemplary debut weekend with a team-high three blocks in the defensive end.

Plattsburgh State (2-0-0) commanded possession of the puck early on, scoring twice in the game's first eight minutes. Moments later, a quick shift in momentum began with Anthony Persi delivering an on-target shot that spurred a victorious faceoff for Trempner. Six seconds and two passes later, Edwards put the puck into the net to make it a 2-1 contest. Slashing against the Cardinals in the 10th minute triggered the Spartans' second power play and, with help from Irwin and Stefura, Vyvial found paydirt to tie the game at two-all.

Following 20 minutes of back-and-forth but scoreless action, Lonan Bulger sent in a score as Plattsburgh regained the lead, 3-2. VTSU Castleton countered as Stefura struck back with the equalizer to knot proceedings at a 3-3 score that held until the end of the second stanza.

The Cardinals went all-in with its attack in the final period but Rodrigue weathered the storm well, saving nine shots in the initial six minutes. A shot by Joshua Belgrave on power play got through to put the hosts back in the driver's seat. Plattsburgh scored twice more with a man advantage as the Spartans continued to battle, but saw 12 shots get blocked over the course of the final 20 minutes.

The Spartans begin New England Hockey Conference play next Friday, November 3 at Johnson & Wales. Puck drop against the Wildcats is at 7 p.m.