RUTLAND, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's ice hockey team split its regular-season series with UMass Boston, falling 4-1 at home Saturday afternoon.

The Basics
• Final Score: UMass Boston 4, Castleton 1
• Location: Spartan Arena – Rutland, Vt.
• Records: UMass Boston 11-8-1 (7-5-1 LEC) | Castleton 11-8-1 (7-6-0 LEC)

How It Happened
The contest opened with high intensity as both teams worked to establish offensive rhythm. The visitors earned the first prime scoring chance at 7:21 when Cam Reid was sent to the penalty box for indirect contact to the head. UMass Boston capitalized quickly, scoring at 8:02.

The Beacons were assessed a penalty on the play as goal scorer Jazz Krivtsov was whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct after taunting the Spartan bench during his celebration. Despite the ensuing power play, Castleton was unable to convert and headed into the first intermission trailing 2-0.

The Spartans cut into the deficit early in the second period as Logan Dapprich recorded an unassisted power-play goal to make it 2-1. UMass Boston responded just over a minute later, scoring at 4:39 to restore its two-goal cushion and take a 3-1 lead into the final stanza.

Castleton continued to push in the third, but the Beacons locked down defensively, turning aside all 24 shots on goal in the period while blocking six additional attempts. An empty-net goal at 19:13 sealed the result as the Spartans fell by a 4-1 final.

By the Numbers
• Dapprich accounted for Castleton's lone goal.
• Josh Ward made 21 saves in 58:15 of action in net.
• Castleton generated sustained pressure, forcing the Beacons' goaltender to make 41 saves.
• The Spartans controlled the faceoff circle, winning draws 40–26.

Up Next
The Spartans remain home next Friday, February 7, hosting Babson College at 7 p.m. for the fifth annual Breaking the Ice on Mental Health game.