NORTHFIELD, Vt.- The Norwich Men's Ice Hockey team returned to home ice for the third time in five days on Tuesday night, hosting longtime regional rival Plattsburgh State at Kreitzberg Arena. Behind a two-goal performance from Colin Elliott (Peterborough, Ont.) and an overtime game-winner by Boyd Stahlbaum (Peterborough, Ont.), the Cadets earned a hard-fought 3–2 victory over the Cardinals.

The night began with a sluggish start for Norwich, as the Cadets were whistled for a penalty just 30 seconds into the contest. Goaltender Sami Molu (Toronto, Ont.) was tested early and often, making several strong saves during the penalty kill to keep the game scoreless. Even after returning to even strength, Plattsburgh maintained pressure in the offensive zone, though the Cardinals were limited in quality chances and shots on goal.

Norwich looked to swing momentum with a power play of its own midway through the period, but was unable to convert. Shortly after play returned to five-on-five, a turnover at the Norwich blue line proved costly. Plattsburgh's Ty Oller jumped on the loose puck, raced in on a breakaway, and finished to give the Cardinals a 1–0 lead.

The Cadets responded quickly. Just two minutes later, Devon Thibodeau (Pelham, Ont.) intercepted a breakout pass in the neutral zone and pushed the puck up the left side to Niko Benjamin (Surprise, Ariz.). Benjamin gained the zone and found Elliott trailing the play. Elliott's backhand attempt fluttered past Cardinal goaltender Dominik Bovan, tying the game at 1–1 on Norwich's fourth shot of the period.

The equalizer energized the Cadets, who began to tilt the ice in their favor over the remainder of the opening frame. Norwich generated several quality looks, but Bovan stood tall, ensuring the teams entered the first intermission deadlocked.

Norwich carried that momentum into the second period, beginning with a carryover power play. The Cadets laid siege to the Plattsburgh net, creating multiple opportunities that narrowly missed or were turned aside. Eight minutes into the period, the Norwich power play went back to work and found the breakthrough it had been searching for.

Thibodeau carried the puck through the neutral zone before sending it ahead to Stahlbaum near the Norwich bench. Stahlbaum quickly tapped the puck to Elliott in stride, and Elliott split the Cardinal penalty killers before sliding a shot past Bovan to give the Cadets a 2–1 lead. The goal marked Elliott's second of the night and capped a well-executed man-advantage sequence.

Norwich continued to apply pressure at even strength, looking to extend the lead, but Bovan came up with several timely saves to keep the Cardinals within one. Despite controlling much of the play, the Cadets carried only a one-goal advantage into the second intermission.

The third period opened with a flurry of penalties on both sides, disrupting the flow of play. At five-on-five, Norwich continued to generate chances, but Bovan remained sharp, turning aside point-blank opportunities to preserve the narrow deficit. As the period wore on, Plattsburgh began to push back, gaining momentum with sustained time in the offensive zone.

That pressure paid off late. After killing off a Norwich power play, the Cardinals pulled Bovan for the extra skater and tied the game with 89 seconds remaining. Aaron Catron slipped a shot through traffic, knotting the contest at 2–2 and forcing overtime.

Norwich had the first look in the extra session, but momentum quickly shifted when the Cadets were sent to the penalty kill. Molu rose to the occasion, making several clutch saves to keep the game alive. Just 25 seconds later, Norwich earned a power play of its own, setting the stage for the decisive moment.

Off a faceoff win in the neutral zone by Frank D'Ancona (Fort Myers, Fla.), Cooper Bertrand (Caledon, Ont.) returned the puck as Norwich entered the offensive end. D'Ancona handed it off to Stahlbaum, who worked his way to the right faceoff dot before snapping a shot past Bovan to the blocker side for the overtime winner. The goal capped a two-point night for both Stahlbaum, Thibodeau, and Elliott and sealed the 3–2 victory for the Cadets.

"It was a big hump for the guys to get over tonight," said Head Coach Dominick Dawes '04. "The second period was our best period of the year. We continue to be resilient, and several players stepped up significantly. It was fun to watch!"

The Cadets will continue their nine-game homestand when they return to Little East Conference (LEC) action on Saturday afternoon, hosting Vermont State Castleton at 4 p.m. at Kreitzberg Arena.