Box Score NORTHFIELD, Vt. -- Senior defenseman Greg Eskedjian (Barrie, Ontario) scored a power-play goal late in the second period to snap a 2-2 tie and the number one ranked Norwich University Cadets went on to defeat the University of Southern Maine Huskies, 4-2, in an ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) Men's East game Saturday at Kreitzberg Arena.
The Cadets, the defending league and NCAA Division III champions, opened the 2010-11 season sweeping the Huskies and the University of New England. The Huskies dropped both ends of their two-game road trip to open the campaign.
After a scoreless first period, the teams combined for five goals in the middle stanza. Rookie Chris Duszynski (Ototoks, Alberta) put Norwich ahead in the first minute with his second goal of the season. Less than four minutes later, USM tied the score on a power-play goal by senior Zach Joy (Dover, N.H.) off an assist from freshman Mike Greene (Arvada, Colo.).
Sophomore Kyle Thomas (Waltham, Mass.) put the Cadets up 2-1 with his first goal of the season at 8:56, set up by Eskedjian and junior Shawn Baker (Mont-Laurier, Quebec). Again the Huskies tied the score as sophomore Craig Perham (Arundel, Maine) lit the lamp at 13:04. Sophomore Matt MacDonald (Byfield, Mass.) picked up the lone assist.
Eskedjian broke the tie less than three minutes later converting a set up from sophomore Scott Schroeder (Drake Sask.) and Duszynski.
Senior Chad Anderson (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia) gave the Cadets an unassisted insurance goal with 1:45 remaining in the third period.
Norwich sophomore goalie Alex Dubois (Sherbrooke, Quebec) picked up the win recording 14 saves. USM freshman Braely Torris (Eckville, Alberta) stopped 22 shots.
Southern Maine will play its home opener on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.) hosting in-state rival Colby College in a non-league game. Norwich will play arch-rival Middlebury College on Friday (4:00 p.m.) in a first round game of the PrimeLink Great Northern Shootout in Plattsburgh, N.Y.
