Box Score

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— Freshman Marc Cibelli scored 3:26 into overtime to give the Skidmore College hockey team a 3-2 ECAC East win over New England College, Saturday at the Saratoga Springs City Rink.
 
It was the second straight and program record eighth overtime game of the season for the Thoroughbreds.
 
Skidmore (7-7-6, 3-5-5 ECAC East) picked up a valuable two points against NEC (12-6-1, 8-5-0).  The Thoroughbreds are 1-1-6 in overtime games and have had 18 straight games decided by two or fewer goals.
 
After a scoreless first period, NEC struck first when James O'Reilly scored a power-play goal off a rebound at 12:03. Cheyne Matheson had the original shot and Garrett Brazzier had the other assist.  Skidmore tied it 30 seconds later on a Vlad Gavrik power-play goal at 12:33. Brad Schuler and Anthony Bird assisted.  The Pilgrims regained the lead at 19:30 when Ben Maclaughlin scored from Matheson and Kevin Marceau.
 
The Thoroughbreds tied it in the third as a Pilgrim penalty expired. Phil Buonocore's shot found its way past two defenders and then trickled past NEC goalie Sebastian Andersson at 14:43. Gavrik and Sam Bloom assisted.  Skidmore almost won it in regulation, but Andersson made a sweeping goal line glove save on a breakaway shot by Bird with 1:01 left.
 
An ill-timed hooking penalty at 2:49 of the overtime gave the Thoroughbreds a power-play opportunity. Skidmore scored when Schuler and Bird cycled the puck quickly to Cibelli who scored his fourth of the season.
 
Ben Freiberg was solid in net for the Thoroughbreds with 29 saves, including 12 in the second period. Andersson had 17 saves for New England College.
 
Skidmore hits the road next for games at UMASS Boston on Jan. 31 and Babson on Feb. 1.