NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's ice hockey team dropped a Little East Conference contest to Norwich University on Saturday evening, 7-2.

The Basics
• Final Score: Norwich 7, Castleton 2
• Location: Kreitzberg Arena – Northfield, Vt.
• Records: Norwich 8-4-1 (4-2-0 LEC) | Castleton 7-6-1 (3-4-0 LEC)

How It Happened
Castleton came out showcasing its speed and offensive pressure as Josef Vyvyial netted the Spartans' first goal of the game, with assists from Marus Bellomo and Jackson Edwards, to make it 1-0 with 15:00 remaining in the opening period. The hosts responded with a pair of goals before the end of the frame, scoring in the 10th and 15th minutes. The latter came on the power play after Vyvyial was sent to the box for cross-checking, giving Norwich a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.

On a power play of their own, the Spartans evened the score at two as Logan Dapprich fired a shot home from the blue line, once again assisted by Bellomo and Edwards. Norwich answered with two goals before the end of the middle stanza, taking a 4-2 advantage into the final period.

The third period belonged to the Cadets, who tacked on three more goals to secure a 7-2 victory.

By the Numbers
• Bellomo and Edwards led the Spartans in points, recording assists on both Castleton goals.
• Vyvyial and Dapprich each found the back of the net.
• In a chippy contest, the teams combined for 29 penalty minutes, with Castleton accounting for 23.
• Despite the score, Charles Watson was strong in the crease, making a career-high 47 saves.

Up Next
Castleton returns home on Friday, January 16, to host Western Connecticut State University in a 7 p.m. Little East Conference contest.