NORTHFIELD, Vt.- In their return to New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) play, the Norwich University Men's Ice Hockey team opened 2023 with a 2-1 victory over Elmira Friday night at Kreitzberg Arena.
 
The first 20 minutes were scoreless despite both teams registering double digit shots on goal. Even though the Cadets held the upper hand in the second period, it was the Soaring Eagles who would break the ice halfway through the frame. However, Johnny Johnson (Napierville, Ill.) would strike on a 5-on-3 four and a half minutes later knotting the game up at the second intermission. The goal was Johnson's team leading fourth powerplay marker of the season.
 
Late in the third the Cadets would break the tie. On an odd man rush senior Brady Gaudette (Braintree, Mass.) centered the puck to sophomore Paul Schmid (Linz, Austria) for the eventual game winning goal. With a little over a minute left Elmira pulled the goalie looking for the tie but Gaudette made two enormous blocks to end any chance at a comeback.   
 
"I was happy with the result and effort returning to league play against a tough opponent," Head Coach Cam Ellsworth said.
 
On deck for the tenth ranked Cadets is a meeting with top ranked Hobart Saturday afternoon. Puck drop is set for 4 PM at Kreitzberg Arena.