PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Senior captain Callum Jones (Burlington, On.) netted the overtime winner for the Norwich University Men's Ice Hockey Team Saturday night at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena for the 2-1 Cadet victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
"It was pretty special, I think the only time I did that was playing mini sticks as a kid," Jones said after the game. "We got a good faceoff win by Paul Schmid (Linz, Austria), Devon Thibodeau (Pelham, On.) made a crisp pass and Paul got to the net and covered the goalies eyes. I was lucky enough to put one on net and it found the back of the net."
 
The game lived up to its billing of a goaltending duel between two of the best in the nation in Plattsburgh State's Eli Shiller and Drennen Atherton (Winter Haven, Fla.). In the first period no goals were scored, despite the two sides trading prime scoring chances.
 
Norwich took control in the second outshooting the Cardinals 15-7. However, it was Plattsburgh who got on the board first with a late goal by Jake Lanyi giving them the lead after 40 minutes. The Cadets responded early in the third period when senior Philip Elgstam (Stockholm, Sweden) tucked in a wrap-around to knot the game at one apiece. The tight, penalty-less game was destined for extra time.
 
The Cardinals nearly converted on a net-mouth scramble, but Atherton did not budge, minutes later Jones fired home a rocket of a wrist shot to give Norwich sudden victory.
 
"I'm thrilled to still be playing, we got some real fortunate news last Saturday, had two good weeks of practice and I'm thrilled with the result," said Head Coach Cam Ellsworth. "We try to get to the net and get pucks through which is our identity and how we've been able to string together 20 wins."
 
Norwich will travel to Beverly, Mass. On March 18 for their second meeting of the season with Endicott in the NCAA Quarterfinals.