SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—It was an emotional home NEHC opener for the Skidmore College hockey team, who beat New England College 4-1 Friday night in front of a full house at the Saratoga Springs Ice Rink.
 
The team honored teammate Will Golden in a pregame ceremony. Golden passed away in a tragic accident in March and Friday night was the first game back on the Weibel Avenue ice for the Thoroughbreds.
 
The win moved Skidmore to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in the NEHC. The Pilgrims fall to 2-1 and 0-1.
 
The first period was choppy with the teams whistled for a combined eight minor penalties. The Thoroughbreds finally got on the board on their fifth power play of the period when Marc Cibelli scored on a give-and-go with Anthony Bird on the near side break at 18:47. Cibelli's shot from the outside the offensive zone bounced off NEC goalie Brett Kilar for the 1-0 lead.
 
There was no scoring in the second period, but the Thoroughbreds killed off five more penalties.
 
In the third period, Corey Morgan scored found the net low stick side for a 2-0 lead at 5:50. Adam Moodie and Owen Campbell assisted.  Bird made it 3-0 when his shot from the top of the nearside faceoff circle found the upper glove side corner at 8:27 from Quincy Gregg and Tim Allen.
 
NEC got on the board at 8:52 when Chris Santello put away his own rebound. Connor Fries was credited with an assist.
 
Bird tallied an empty net goal from the defensive end at 18:41 for the 4-1 final.
 
Skidmore killed off 11 NEC power plays, while going 1-for-7.
 
NEC had a slight 34-32 shot advantage. Jack McDonald had 33 saves for the Thoroughbreds, including 13 in the third period. Kilar finished with 28 saves for the Pilgrims.
 
Skidmore is home again Saturday at 4 p.m. against St. Anselm, while NEC travels to Castleton University.