KEENE, N.H.- The Norwich Men's Ice Hockey team capped off a perfect 2–0 weekend on Saturday night with a commanding 6–2 victory over Keene State in the program's first-ever visit to Keene ICE. The Cadets controlled the pace throughout the night, fueled by a four-point performance from captain Cooper Bertrand (Caledon, Ont.) and another strong showing in net from Sami Molu (Toronto, Ont.).

Bertrand led all skaters with one goal and three assists, while Nick Foster (Amherst, Mass.), Frank D'Ancona (Fort Myers, Fla.), and Ocean Fancy (Orleans, Mass.) each added two points in a balanced offensive effort. Molu anchored the defensive end with 30 saves, helping Norwich close out the road weekend in style.

The opening period was tightly contested and filled with special teams action. Molu and Keene State goaltender Ben Skelton traded early saves before both teams navigated unsuccessful power-play opportunities in a penalty-heavy first 20 minutes.

Norwich broke through midway through the frame on a 5-on-3 advantage. Fancy controlled the puck in the neutral zone and fed Bertrand, who dropped it for D'Ancona entering the zone with speed. D'Ancona rifled a shot past Skelton to give the Cadets a 1–0 lead. Norwich continued to press, but Skelton limited further damage as the teams headed to the intermission with the Cadets holding a one-goal edge.

The Cadets opened the second period by killing off a carryover penalty, and the successful kill sparked sustained offensive pressure. Norwich began to tilt the ice decisively, hemming the Owls in their own end.

With seven minutes remaining in the period, Norwich doubled its lead. Off a Bertrand faceoff win, Fancy skated down from the point along the left boards and slipped a shot through Skelton's legs to make it 2–0.

Less than four minutes later, Foster made it a three-goal game. Reading an outlet attempt at center ice, Foster intercepted the pass, skated into the slot, and beat Skelton glove side to extend the advantage.

Norwich carried its momentum into the third period and quickly added another tally on the power play. Following an Owen Sclisizzi (Milton, Ont.) faceoff win, Bertrand collected the puck and fired a shot that rang off the post and in, pushing the lead to four.

Keene State responded 45 seconds later, as Kyle Gonzalez found the back of the net to get the Owls on the board. However, the Cadets answered once again after another successful penalty kill. Joe Schubert (Oconomowoc, Wis.) sparked the rush and sent Kyle Kudrna (Bartlett, Ill.) in alone, and Kudrna's shot slipped past Skelton to restore Norwich's four-goal cushion.

D'Ancona added his second goal of the game in the final five minutes, putting an exclamation point on the Cadets' offensive showcase. Keene State managed a late tally, but the result was well in hand as Norwich secured the 6–2 win.

"I thought we responded well tonight," said Head Coach Dominick Dawes '04. "We played with more of an edge and to our identity. We had a great second period that really wore them down."

With the win, Norwich concluded its weekend road trip undefeated and will remain away from home for its final regular-season contest. The Cadets travel to Little East Conference travel partner Vermont State Castleton on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. to close out the regular season.