Box
Score
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Owen Carpino scored
the game-tying goal with 23 seconds left in regulation to help the
13th-ranked Norwich University men's ice hockey team forge a 3-3
tie with ECAC East rival Skidmore on Friday evening.
The tie moves Norwich's record to 11-6-4 (9-4-3 ECAC East). The
Cadets remain atop the league standings, but their lead over
second-place New England College is just two points. Third-place
Castleton sits just three points behind NU, and the Spartans will
host the Cadets in a huge game tomorrow afternoon.
Skidmore seemed to be in good shape to earn the victory tonight,
scoring twice in the first 10:55 of the third period to move in
front 3-2. The Cadets outshot the Thoroughbreds, 12-7, in the final
stanza, and that persistence finally paid off at the 19:37 mark
when Carpino scored his first career goal. Nikita Kashirsky and
Emmond Bell assisted on the marker, which sent the game into
overtime.
Skidmore had the only two shots of the extra session, but were
unable to get either of them past Norwich goaltender Ryan
Klingensmith as the Cadets hung on for the tie.
After a scoreless first period, Norwich seemed to take control
of the contest early in the second stanza, scoring twice in the
first 11:58 of the period. Steve Coon got the Cadets on the board
at the 2:55 mark when he scored on the power play. Craig Serino
earned an assist on the goal, which was Coon's third of the year.
Tim Houston made it 2-0 in favor of the Cadets when he scored his
second goal of the season off assists from Greg Eskedjian and
Carpino at the 11:58 mark.
Skidmore cut the Norwich lead in half late in the second period
when Anthony Ferri scored a power play goal off an assist from Nick
Dupuis at the 19:12 mark.
The Thoroughbreds came out energized to start the third period,
scoring just 16 seconds into the final frame as Teddy Gowan scored
off assists from Chris Webb and Brett Bandazian. Skidmore then took
the lead for the first time at the 10:55 mark when Mike Gibbons
scored off assists from Ferri and Sasha Thomas.
It looked bleak for the Cadets, but Norwich head coach Mike
McShane pulled Klingensmith in favor of the extra attacker and
Carpino came through.
Norwich outshot Skidmore, 26-23, in the game. The Cadets went
1-for-2 on the power play, while the Thoroughbreds were 1-for-6
with the man advantage.
Klingensmith finished with 20 saves on the night, while Skidmore
goaltender Colin Bessey made 23 saves.
Norwich will play its final road game of the regular season on
Saturday, Feb. 14, when the Cadets travel to Rutland, Vt., to
battle in-state rival Castleton State in a key ECAC East game.
Faceoff for the contest is slated for 4 p.m. The game will be
available live on the radio (WDEV: FM-96.1/AM-550), and on the
internet (www.cadetsradio.com).
