RUTLAND, Vt. – The New England College men's ice hockey team got back in the win column on Saturday, riding a four-goal first period to a 6-2 win over Vermont State University-Castleton at Spartan Arena in Rutland, Vermont in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) action.
 

THE BASICS 
Score: New England College 6, VTSU-Castleton 2 
Records: Pilgrims 7-11-1, 6-7-1 NEHC | Spartans 4-15-2, 2-13-1 NEHC 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• After a tough loss on Friday night, the Pilgrims made sure to get out to a quick start in Saturday's rematch versus the Spartans. Freshman forward Vesse-Wincent Lampen (Espoo, Finland) put the 'Grims on the board early with his third goal of the season, receiving a pass from sophomore forward Gunnar Sibley (Monticello, Minn.) and sending a strike past the goaltender for a 1-0 lead 5:41 into the game. 
• Just 90 seconds later, shots attempts from senior forward Wyatt Andres (Brainerd, Minn.) and senior forward Ike Taraszewski (Wayzata, Minn.) resulted in a rebound opportunity on the weak side of the Spartan net and it was cashed in by sophomore forward Jakub Rusina (Frýdek-Místek, Czech Republic). The goal, Rusina's first of his career, would give the 'Grims a 2-0 advantage.  
• With 3:45 left in the first period, an icing call would result in a faceoff directly to the left of the Spartan net; Sibley would win the faceoff by pushing the puck to senior forward David Novotny (Boca Raton, Fla.) who wasted no time in sending the puck between the goalie's legs and into the net.  
• The first period offensive onslaught continued as sophomore defenseman Martins Leps (Riga, Latvia) sent in a shot that was redirected by Andres for the team's fourth goal in the opening period. 
• The first intermission did little to slow down the NEC offense as 45 seconds into the second period, Novotny found Sibley in front of the net who scored his first of the game after connecting for two assists in the first period.  
• Castleton would finally remove their zero from the scoreboard with a second period goal from Balint Mesterhazy (Gyor, Hungary) at 17:12. The Spartans would strike again 2:19 into the third period with a goal by Andrew Stefura (Boston, Mass.). 
• NEC would put an end to the small Spartan run as with 7:45 left in the game, Andres scored his second goal of the night for the senior captain's first multi-score game of the season. Lampen and freshman defenseman Bryce Sturm (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) were each credited with assists on the goal. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• NEC's freshman goaltender Anthony Beaulieu (Lawrence, Mass.) made 29 saves in net en route to his seventh win of the season. 
• Castleton's Charles Watson (Yarmouth, Maine) found less success today than the first-year did in Friday night's matchup, conceding four goals and making just nine saves before being relieved.
• Shots on goal were 36-31 in favor of the Pilgrims. 
• Andres, Sibley, and Novotny all led the way with three points apiece. 
• The team's six goals are the most scored in a game since January 13, 2023, in a 6-2 win over Johnson & Wales University. 

UP NEXT 

• NEC is back on the ice on Friday, February 7th when they return home to host Elmira College at 7:00 PM at Lee Clement Arena. 
• VTSU-Castleton plays their next game at the University of Southern Maine at 7:00 PM on Friday. 

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.