SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— Playoff positioning is on the line this weekend when the Skidmore College hockey team hosts a pair of New England Hockey Conference games at the Saratoga Springs City Rink.
 
The Thoroughbreds (4-12-3, 4-6-2 NEHC) host St. Michael's (5-14, 2-11) on Friday at 7 p.m. and 13th ranked Norwich (13-6-1, 8-4-1) on Saturday at 4 p.m.
 
Admission is free all weekend and a free student shuttle will run from Case Center at 6:30 Friday and 3:30 on Saturday.
 
Friday night will be Youth Hockey Night.  There will be an authentic game puck given away to the first 50 youth players wearing their jersey, a Saratoga Youth Hockey mini-game, jersey raffle, Score-O, and post game tours of the recently renovated Skidmore locker room.
 
On Saturday, the Thoroughbreds welcome back alumni and their families for the Annual Hiller-First Alumni Hockey Game at 12:45 p.m.
 
Skidmore has bounced back from an 0-4 NEHC start to go 4-2-2 over the last eight games, including a 4-0 shutout of then third-ranked Norwich and a 5-4 overtime win at St. Michael's.
 
Marc Cibelli (8-goals, 18 assists, 26 points) and Anthony Bird (9-15—24) lead the Thoroughbreds in scoring.  Goalie Jack McDonald is among the league's top net minders with a 2.44 goals against average and .933 save percentage in league play. McDonald was the NEHC Goaltender of the Week after posting 57 saves in a 3-3 tie with #6 UMASS Boston and 37 saves in a 3-0 loss at #7 Babson.
 
St. Michael's is 1-6 over its last seven NEHC games. Kevin Altidor (8-5-13) and Danny Divis (2-11—13) are the team's top scorers. Rookie goalie Chris Johnson has a 4.04 GAA and .898 save percentage in 15 games.
 
Norwich is 6-2-1 over its last nine games, after a rare three-game losing streak.   Tyler Piacentini (8-14—22) and Kevin Salvucci (14-7—21) pace the Cadet offense.  Goalie Breaden Ostpechuk has a 1.57 GAA and .929 save percentage to goal along with a 10-3-1 record in 15 games.
 
After this weekend, Skidmore will have three regular season home games left. Castleton travels to Saratoga on Feb. 5 for a 7 p.m. game.