Castleton

Spartans

RUTLAND, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's ice hockey team dropped a 4-1 decision to Plattsburgh State Friday evening at Spartan Arena in its home opener.
 
The Basics
• Final Score: Plattsburgh State 4, VTSU Castleton 1
• Location: Rutland, Vt. | Spartan Arena
• Records: Plattsburgh State 1-0 | Castleton 0-1
 
How It Happened
Plattsburgh State struck first, scoring seven minutes into the opening period to take an early lead. The Spartans responded with their first power-play opportunity of the night after a Plattsburgh penalty. Castleton generated three shots, including one on goal, before another Cardinals penalty gave the Spartans a 5-on-3 advantage. Plattsburgh did well to clear the puck, limiting Castleton to two additional shots during the opportunity. Castleton's defense held strong for the remainder of the period, blocking both of Plattsburgh's power play shots to keep the deficit at one heading into the second period.

The Cardinals extended their lead just two minutes into the second period. The Spartans looked to respond immediately following the ensuing faceoff, as Joey Ala collected the puck and took it up the ice on a breakaway, but the Plattsburgh goaltender made the save. The Cardinals quickly turned the play the other way, putting several shots on Lukas Bukatovs. After making the initial saves, the puck eventually slipped past the Castleton netminder to give Plattsburgh a 3-0 advantage. 

The Spartans came out determined in the third period and got on the board just 55 seconds into the frame. Owen Tatro sent the puck up the boards to Zach Lussier behind the net. Lussier found Tyler Burke in front, who put the puck past the goaltender to cut the deficit to 3-1. Castleton looked to build on Burke's goal and create more scoring opportunities, but Plattsburgh maintained control of the puck and kept the Spartans from finding another opening. Bukatovs kept Castleton within reach with several saves as the Cardinals earned additional power-play opportunities. The Spartans pulled their goaltender in the closing seconds, but Plattsburgh added an empty-net goal to secure the 4-1 win.



By the Numbers

• Bukatovs finished the night with 23 saves for the Spartans.
• Luke Chakrabarti led Castleton with five shots, followed by Ala with four.
• Burke recorded Castleton's lone goal of the night.

 
Up Next
The Spartans hit the road Saturday, traveling to Boston, Mass. to take on Wentworth Institute of Technology in another nonconference matchup. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m.