SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The Skidmore College hockey team remains in first place with a 6-4 New England Hockey Conference win over St. Michael's College Saturday at the Saratoga Springs City Rink.
 
The Thoroughbreds are 5-2 overall and 5-1 in the NEHC, while the Purple Knights drop to 2-6 and 1-4.
 
It wasn't pretty, but Skidmore avoided the let down after knocking off Norwich 3-2 in overtime on Friday.
 
John Litscher score his first two collegiate goals to lead a balanced Thoroughbred offense that saw five players score.
 
After a scoreless and penalty filled first period, Owen Campbell got Skidmore on the board with a power-play goal at 1:31 from Quincy Gregg and Adam Moodie. Litscher made it 2-0 at 3:53 from Moodie and Andrew Popp. The Purple Knights tied it on a pair of goals by Eric Salzillo at 5:51 and 13:56. Sam D'Antuono assisted on both, with Danny Divis getting the second helper on the second goal.
 
Corey Morgan gave the Thoroughbreds a 3-2 lead at the break with his power-play goal at 18:57.
 
Tim Allen tallied his first of the season for a 4-2 advantage at 10:39 from Anthony Bird and Gregg. Saint Michael's kept it close when Josh Dickman connected for his third of the year from Nathan Foice and D'Antuono at 13:13.
 
Litscher got the eventual game winner a little over a minute later at 14:57 from Morgan and Allen for a 5-3 lead.  The Purple Knights pulled goalie Chris Johnson, leading to Stephen Inman's power-play goal from Eric Salzillo at 17:02.
 
The extra attacker didn't work out a second time for St. Michael's with Moodie getting the empty netter from Jack Barton at 19:21 for the 6-4 final.
 
Skidmore had a 49-27 shot advantage.
 
Thoroughbred rookie net minder Brandon Kasel improved to 3-0 with 23 saves. Johnson had 43 for St. Michael's.
 
The Skidmore Invitational is up next for the Thoroughbreds who will face Conn College in a 2 p.m. semifinal on Nov. 26. Fitchburg State and Neuman play at 5 p.m. The consolation game is the next day at 1 p.m. with the championship at 4 p.m.