GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore Nick Kovalchik (Brownstown, Mich.) and junior Will Laking (Orillia, Ont.) each scored two goals and rookie goalie Ryan Mulder (Ottawa, Ont.) stopped 21 shots as the visiting Castleton State College Spartans shut out the University of Southern Maine Huskies, 4-0, in an ECAC Men's East game Friday evening at the USM Ice Arena.

            The win evens the Spartans' overall record at 1-1.  The Huskies slip to 1-1 overall.  The game was the league opener for both teams.

            Kovalchik scored the only goal of the first 40 minutes when he finished off a two-on-one from sophomore Corbin Marcotte (Houston, B.C.) at 16:20 of the first period. The goal was the first of the season for Kovalchik.

            After a scoreless second period, Kovalchik potted his second marker of the night at 1:45 of the third period assisted by Marcotte and rookie Kurt Johnson (Wallingford, Conn.) to make it 2-0.

            Laking gave the Spartans a pair of insurance goals at 4:20 and 12:26 respectively.  Laking scored his first of the season converting a pass from rookie Simon Teodorsson (Taberg, Sweden).  Laking scored his second of the night, on the power play, firing home the rebound of a shot by senior Ryan Frost (Fullerton, Calif.).

            Mulder, making his first collegiate start, stopped everything the Huskies shot his way for the shutout.  Mulder got plenty of support from his teammates who blocked 11 shot attempts.

            USM rookie goalie Kyle Shapiro (Ocean, N.J.) registered 28 saves.

            Castleton had a 32-21 edge in shots on goal and was successful on 1 of 5 power plays.  Southern Maine went 0 for 2 with the man advantage.

            Southern Maine is back in action Saturday afternoon (4:00 p.m.) hosting Skidmore College.  Castleton travels to the University of New England on Saturday (4:00 p.m.).  Both games are ECAC Men's East games. 

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