RUTLAND, Vt. - The Norwich University men's ice hockey team defeated Castleton University 5-2 on Saturday afternoon to extend its unbeaten streak to five straight to open the 2021-22 season.

Senior forward Brett Ouderkirk (Monkland, Ontario) scored twice, while junior forward Philip Elgstam (Stockholm, Sweden) had three assists and senior defenseman Devon Becker (Langley, British Columbia) added two more helpers to lead the Norwich offense.

Norwich (3-0-2, 2-0-2 NEHC) took the lead at the 6:54 mark of the first period with Ouderkirk scoring off assists from Patrick O'Neal (Indiana, Pa.) and Elgstam. Castleton evened the score at 1-1 at the 17:17 mark of the first period with Andrew Barber scoring.

Norwich's power play then took control of the game, scoring four more times in the second and third period to finish 4-for-7 on the man-advantage. Scott Swanson (Wheaton, Ill.) scored his first goal of the season at the 2:14 mark off assists from Elgstam and Becker. 

Freshman Clark Kerner (Kansas City, Kan.) scored for the fourth straight game at the 13:05 mark off assists from Becker and Joe Nagle (Weymouth, Mass.). 

Norwich added two more power-play goals in the third period with Ouderkirk and Cale List (Petawawa, Ontario) scoring. Elgstam and List assisted on Ouderkirk's second of the night and then Jason Galotti (Hanover, Mass.) added another assist for his fourth straight game with a point. 

Junior goalie Andrew Albano (Hamilton, Ontario) made 15 saves to pick up the victory and improve to 2-0-0 on the season.

Norwich returns home to Kreitzberg Arena to host New England College on Friday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.