Box Score 

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Freshman F Kyle Thomas registered his first career hat trick, and the Norwich defense held the high-powered Plattsburgh State offense to just 16 shots on goal as the No. 3-ranked Cadets defeated the No. 2-ranked Cardinals, 4-1, Tuesday evening at Kreitzberg Arena.

The first period featured some good up and down hockey, and both squads enjoyed a couple of quality scoring chances. Neither team was able to convert, however, and the game moved to the first intermission scoreless. Plattsburgh held a 7-6 edge in shots during the opening 20 minutes, which did not feature a single penalty.

The Cardinals (9-2-2) broke the scoreless tie at the 7:58 mark of the second period when Dan Sliasis scored off a rebound. The goal, which came on the power play, was assisted by Chris Wieland. Wieland's original shot was kicked aside by Norwich senior G Ryan Klingensmith, but Sliasis was able to bang home the rebound to put PSU on top 1-0.

Plattsburgh drew a penalty on the ensuing faceoff and Norwich (9-0-2) immediately made the Cardinals pay as Thomas cashed in his first goal of the game. Freshman F Steven Schroeder started the play when he slid a pass over to senior D Steve Coon at the right point. Coon then ripped a shot from the blue line that Thomas redirected past Plattsburgh G Ryan Williams to tied the score at the 8:26 mark.

Thomas gave the Cadets their first lead of the contest at 10:58 of the second period when he corralled a rebound and beat Williams. Schroeder took a pair of shots, which were both turned aside by Williams, but the second rebound deflected directly to Thomas, who scored from just outside the crease.

Norwich made it 3-1 less than three minutes later when freshman F Tory Allen scored from right in front of the net. Junior D Greg Eskedjian got the play started when he moved the puck out of the Cadets' zone and found Schroeder streaking down the right side boards. Schroeder carried the puck into the right-hand faceoff circle, before rifling a pass in front to Allen, who stuffed it home for his second goal of the season. The referees huddled near center ice for a few minutes before finally deciding that the goal would stand.

Aside from Plattsburgh's early goal, Norwich completely the second period, holding a 14-5 advantage in shots.

Plattsburgh came out motivated to start the third period, but the Norwich defense continued to stymie the Cardinals' advances.

Thomas completed his hat trick late in the stanza when he worked a two-on-one with senior D Eric Tallent and beat Williams from close range with a fluttering shot. The goal, which was his team-leading 10th of the season, compelled several Norwich fans to toss their hats onto the ice.

For the game, Norwich outshot Plattsburgh 28-16. The Cadets went 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Cardinals were 1-for-5 on the man-advantage.

Klingensmith (8-0-1) finished with 15 saves in the victory for the Cadets. Williams (5-1-1) stopped 24 shots for the Cardinals in the loss.

Norwich will resume its ECAC East-NESCAC Interlock schedule this weekend (Jan. 8-9), when the Cadets travel to Maine to battle Bowdoin and Colby. Live audio coverage will be available on WDEV (AM 550/FM 96.1) and on Cadets Radio (www.cadetsradio.com).