Men’s Hockey: Spartans Soil Sock Toss, Upset Cadets 2-1 Behind Collett’s 54 Save Effort

Posted on by George Commo

Courtesy Norwich Sports Information

NORTHFIELD –– Freshman goalie Brandon Collett made 54 saves to lead the Castleton University men’s hockey team to a 2-1 upset victory over Norwich on Friday night at Kreitzberg Arena in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) action.

Junior Felix Brassard (St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec) scored at the 3:23 mark of the third period to send over 1,500 pairs of socks onto the ice during the second annual Darn Tough Sock Toss.

However, that was the lone high point of the night for Norwich as Castleton scored twice in the second period and then held on in the third period, despite getting outshot 25-2 in the final 20 minutes for its first win over the Cadets at Kreitzberg since 2010.

Brassard ripped a wrist shot for his 10th goal of the year with a shot just under the crossbar from the right wing from just inside the blue line off assists from Connor Swystun (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) and Matt Burchill (Marshfield, Mass.).

Castleton (3-6-1, 2-4-1 NEHC) scored twice in the second period with goals by Calvin Moise and Nick Gravina. Moise jammed home a rebound off an initial shot by Glenn Wiswell. Wiswell’s ripped a shot that Aubrun stopped, but the puck squirted between his legs and then Moise dove to poke the puck home to give Castleton a 1-0 lead.

Gravina scored a power play goal at the 18:33 mark of the second period tipping home a pass from Wiswell after he picked off the puck near the Norwich blue line to lead to an odd-man rush.

Norwich senior goalie Tom Aubrun (Chamonix, France) made 18 saves in the loss to fall to 8-2-0 on the season.

Collett picked up his first collegiate victory with the 54 saves to improve to 1-5-0 on the year.

Norwich outshot Castleton 55-20 and had 111 total shot attempts. Castleton blocked 28 shots and the Cadets hit three posts.

Norwich is off until Jan. 3 when it hosts the 10th annual Northfield Savings Bank Holiday Tournament. The Cadets will take on Assumption College at 7 p.m. Salve Regina will meet SUNY Cortland at 4 p.m. in the opening game of the tournament.