GORHAM, Maine – The Vermont State University Castleton Spartans defeated the University of Southern Maine Huskies 5-0 on Friday evening behind two goals from Jackson Kobelka. Emmett McHardy and Balint Mesterhazy also had two points each. McHardy recorded a goal and an assist and Mesterhazy assisted on two goals. Josh Wade made 33 saves in the shutout.
 
The Records:
VTSU Castleton: 5-14-2 (3-13-1 NEHC)
Southern Maine: 5-16-1 (2-14-1 NEHC)
 
Series History:
Castleton leads the series 18-14-2. The Huskies swept the series last season.
 
The Goaltenders:
VTSU: Josh Ward (4-8-2), 59:56, zero goal allowed, 33 saves
Southern Maine: Mason Palmer (1-10-0): 55:00, five goals allowed, 28 saves
Southern Maine: Jacob Kindestin, 5:00, zero goals allowed, one save.
 
How It Happened:

• The lone goal of the first period was scored by Kobelka with 4:41 left on the clock. Mesterhazy and Stone Stelzl recorded the assists.
• Castleton added two more goals in the second period to extend the lead to 3-0. The first came from Chance Heaphy with the teams playing 4-on-4 and McHardy scored on the power play later in the period. The Huskies nearly tied the game five minutes into the period but a shot by senior Zach Desmarais (St. Cyrille, Quebec) slid under Ward and dinged the post.
• The Spartans scored twice in less than three minutes late in the third to make the lead 5-0. Kobelka and Zach Trempner ahd the goals. Kindestin replaced Palmer in goal following the Trempner goal and made one save during the final five minutes of action.

 
Inside The Stats:

• The Huskies led 42-35 in faceoff wins with Mathieu Sabourin (Alexandria, Ontario) leading the way with a 13-6 record on draws. Freshman Ryan Pappalardo (Salem, N.H.) and Desmarais also contributed to the margin by going 9-for-15 and 8-for-15.
• Castleton had a slight 34-33 lead in shots on goal.
• Castleton blocked 24 shots and the Huskies blocked 18. Colby Speth and Zach Papapetros blocked four each for Castleton and junior Kadin Ilott (Kenora, Ontario) led the Huskies with three.

 
Up Next:
Tomorrow will be Senior Day for the Huskies before their 4:00 pm rematch with the Spartans.