GORHAM, Maine - The Norwich University men's ice hockey team downed the Univ. of Southern Maine, 3-2 on Friday night at the USM Ice Arena in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) action.

Sophomore defenseman TJ Dockery (Lockport, N.Y.) had a goal and an assist, while his defensive partner Jake Erickson (Stillwater, Minn.) added two assists to lead the Norwich offense in the victory. 

Norwich (9-4-1, 7-1-1 NEHC) maintained its hold on first place in the league standings with the victory. Sophomore forward Jack Griffin (Duxbury, Mass.) and freshman forward Scott Swanson (Wheaton, Ill.) each scored a goal as well for the Cadets. 

Senior goalie Braeden Ostepchuk (Lethbridge, Alberta) made 14 saves to improve to 7-4-1 on the season.

Southern Maine (2-9-3, 2-5-2 NEHC) took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Alex Pantalone at the 17:01 mark of the first period that the Huskies carried into the first intermission.

Swanson scored on the power play for his third goal of the season, finally putting the puck into the net after Todd Jackson (Holly Springs, N.C.) and Dockery were denied on initial shots. 

Norwich took the lead at the 2:12 mark of the third period with Griffin scoring his second of the season with Erickson picking up the assist. 

Southern Maine tied the game back up at the 3:22 mark of the third period with Cody Braga scoring off assists from Brendan Murphy and Michael Taormina.

Dockery scored the game-winning goal at the 11:35 mark of the third period off assists from Erickson and Coby Downs (Montclair, Calif.). Dockery tipped an initial shot from the point by Erickson past the goalie to clinch the victory.

Norwich will face New England College on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Henniker, N.H. The Pilgrims are the lone team to deal the Cadets a loss in league play so far this season.