The Vermont State University Castleton men’s hockey team earned its first win of the season, defeating MCLA 3-1 in the opening round of the 2024 Terry Moran Invitational Tournament. Castleton got off to a strong start with Chance Heaphy scoring his first career goal less than two minutes into the game. The Spartans’ penalty kill was impressive, successfully defending all three of MCLA’s power-play opportunities. Despite a strong performance from MCLA’s goalie, Matthew Gover, who made 44 saves, MCLA managed to tie the game 1-1 in the first period with a goal from Cody White.In the second period, Castleton dominated offensively, outshooting MCLA 47-27. In the third period, Zach Papapetros scored to give Castleton a 2-1 lead, and although Heaphy was denied on a breakaway, the Spartans sealed the win with a power-play goal. Heaphy and Cam Reid assisted Avvi Tanasiyenko, who scored his first goal of the season to make it 3-1. This game put them into the final of this tournament to hopefully win the 2024 Terry Moran invitational title.

Luke Chakrabarti scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lead the Vermont State University Castleton men’s hockey team to a 7-6 victory over King’s College, securing the 2024 Terry Moran Invitational title. Chakrabarti was named tournament MVP, recording three goals and three assists. Josh Ward, with 45 saves across two games, was named goalie of the tournament, Josh stated, “Winning the tournament was a big step in the right direction for our team. Being able to do that for Terry was all we wanted, and we must carry that into the coming weeks”. Zach Papapetros made the all-tournament team with a goal, an assist, and a +4 rating. The game was a back-and-forth battle, starting with King’s taking a 2-0 lead early in the first period. Castleton responded with Chakrabarti scoring to make it 2-1. The Spartans tied it in the second period with a goal from Josef Vyvial and then took their first lead on Andrew Stefura’s goal, assisted by Chakrabarti. Kings answered with a goal to make it 3-3, but Castleton regained the lead with a power-play goal from Emmett McHardy and a goal by Chakrabarti. King’s came back with two quick goals in the third to tie it at 5-5. Castleton went back ahead 6-5 on a goal from Stone Stelzl, but King’s answered with a power-play goal to send the game into overtime. In OT, Chakrabarti completed his hat trick by scoring the game-winner off a rebound from Stefura’s shot, securing Castleton’s victory.

The Vermont State University Castleton men’s ice hockey team lost to Saint Michael’s 2-1 in a Tuesday night game. Saint Michael’s improved to 8-3-0, while Castleton fell to 2-8-1. The game was scoreless in the first period, with Castleton’s Charles Watson making 12 saves in his collegiate debut. Saint Michael’s goaltender recorded a season-high 46 saves to secure the win. In the second period, Saint Michael’s took a 1-0 lead and Castleton responded with Chance Heaphy’s second goal of the season, assisted by Cam Reid and Aiden Robson, to tie the game at 1-1. However, Saint Michael’s quickly scored a second goal to put them back in front, 2-1. Despite outshooting Saint Michael’s 47-28 and winning 38 faceoffs, Castleton couldn’t find the equalizer, and Saint Michael’s held on for the win, ending Castleton’s win streak.

On December 6th the Vermont State University team hosted Salve Regina in their 14th Annual teddy bear toss, with all bears going to the Rutland County Parent-Child Center. The game started with strong goaltending from both teams, as Josh Ward made 10 of his 17 saves in the first period and Cayden Bailey stopped 30 shots for Salve Regina. Salve Regina broke the deadlock early in the second period with a goal, they extended their lead with a powerplay goal and another goal in the third period to make it 3-0. Castleton fought back in the third period, outshooting Salve Regina 15-3 and getting three powerplay chances. With less than three minutes left, Andrew Stefura scored off a rebound from Luke Chakrabarti’s shot to make it 3-1. The Spartans quickly responded as Logan Dapprich scored his first career goal from long range, assisted by Zach Trempner and Chakrabarti, to bring the game within one at 3-2 with 1:41 remaining. Despite the late rally, Castleton couldn’t find the equalizer, and Salve Regina held on for the win. The teams will meet again for game two of the series, with Castleton also celebrating the 20th anniversary of Spartan Arena.

The Vermont State University Castleton men’s hockey team won their first New England Hockey Conference game of the season, beating Salve Regina University 5-3. Freshman Emmett McHardy had a standout game, scoring a hat trick, while Trevor Castino and Luke Chakrabarti also scored for Castleton. Junior goalie Josh Ward played a crucial role, making 41 saves for the win. The Spartans were strong on the penalty kill, stopping all four of Salve Regina’s power play chances, with team captain Justin Stairs leading the effort. Stairs also assisted McHardy on his first goal, which came shorthanded. 

“I think overall were really happy with how we played. We got off to a great start early and it’s a great feeling to get that first conference win going into break,” Justin Stairs stated.

Salve Regina tied the game 1-1 in the first period, but Castleton dominated the second period, with McHardy scoring twice and Castino adding his first career goal to give the Spartans a 4-1 lead. In the third period, Salve Regina tried to rally but could not overcome Ward’s strong goaltending. After Salve Regina scored once more, an empty-net goal by Chakrabarti sealed the win for Castleton. The Spartans improve to 3-9-1 and will return to play in January against Babson College.