RUTLAND, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's hockey team picked up their first win of the season after defeating MCLA 3-1, Friday night in the opening round of the 2024 Terry Moran Invitational Tournament. 

Chance Heaphy scored his first career goal to get Castleton on the board in just under two minutes of action in the opening period. 

The Spartans' penalty kill stood out, denying all three of MCLA's opportunities on the powerplay. Cam Reid saw an opportunity to steal a shorthanded goal but would be rejected by Mathhew Gover who provided a strong 44 saves for MCLA.

MCLA answered with Cody White finishing on a set play to tie the game at 1-1 after 20 minutes.

The Spartans played with a high-intensity offense, outshooting the Trailblazers 47-27 in Friday's matchup. Josh Ward started between the pipes in tonight's matchup, making 26 saves to secure his first win of the year. 

Castleton came out attacking in the third period and earned themselves their second goal, with Zach Papapetros firing a shot from deep, tracking its way to the back of the net to give them a 2-1 lead. Heaphy almost had his second of the game on a breakaway chance but would be denied.

With a 5-on-3 opportunity granted in Castleton's favor, Heaphy and Reid were able to set up a great passing sequence with Avvi Tanasiyenko on the tail end to bag his first goal of the season to seal Castleton's first victory of the season.

VTSU Castleton will take on King's College who won 4-3 in overtime against Keene State, in tomorrow's final at 4 p.m.