NORTHFIELD, Vt.- Senior captain Clark Kerner (Kansas City, Kan.) became the overtime hero Friday night by tapping home a Collin Elliott (Peterborough, On.) centering pass to lift the Norwich Men's Ice Hockey team over Salve Regina 5-4 in the first meeting between the two programs since Oct. 30, 2021.

After a scoreless, evenly played opening frame, the Cadets would get an early man advantage in the second, but it would be the Seahawks who jumped ahead. A two-on-one sprung off a blueline turnover with Matthew Brunton feeding Parker Mabbett to break the ice. Minutes after an unsuccessful power play for Salve Regina, the Cadets would even the score. Just passed the halfway point, Jed Brazo (Homer, N.Y.) tried to spring Bryan O'Mara (Syracuse, N.Y.) on a rush which was briefly shut down. But the Seahawks would give it right back to O'Mara whose shot trickled by Salve goaltender Cayden Bailey to knot the game at one.

The deadlock did not last long, as the Seahawks jumped ahead again in this back-and-forth tilt between two sides jockeying for position in the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) standings with Logan Calder potting his own rebound. The lead did not last, as Norwich would tie the game again minutes later after a big stop by Sami Molu (Toronto, On.). After a defensive zone faceoff win, Kerner gained the attacking end with a head of steam before pulling up at the right half wall and leaving for O'Mara. O'Mara teed it up for a one-timer from Cooper Bertrand (Caledon, On.) that evened the game at two apiece heading into intermission.

A minute into the third period, the Cadets took their first lead of the night with Kerner and O'Mara contributing again. Kerner won a board battle, sending the puck behind the Salve net, which O'Mara retrieved before setting up Johnny Johnson (Naperville, Ill.) on the doorstep putting Norwich ahead. The lead only lasted 1:07, as the Seahawks took advantage of a miscommunication to tie the game.

The tying goal gave Salve life, but Molu kept the game level with several key stops. Molu's saves allowed the Cadets to regain the lead. After Bertrand gained possession in the defensive zone, he sent the puck around to Anthony Domina (Odenton, Md.) who sprung a two-on-one for Nick Cordeiro (Mississauga, On.) and Zach Ophoven (Burlington, On.). Cordeiro carried the puck and wristed it by Bailey to retake the lead. Norwich clung to the lead for most of the frame, but the Seahawks would tie the contest once again with Jonathan Hammel burying a rebound in close sending the game to extra time.

After winning the initial draw, Kerner had a breakaway that Bailey shut down. Soon after, Bertrand blocked the lone Salve shot attempt in overtime. After several minutes passed without an opportunity, Devon Thibodeau (Pelham, On.) held the puck before giving it to Elliott as he went for a change. Elliott gained the zone, went in behind the goal before centering the puck to Kerner for the winning tally, capping off a three-point night for Kerner, which twins O'Mara's performance.

Norwich and Salve Regina will battle one more time on Feb. 8 at 4 PM.