SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Castleton University visits the Saratoga Springs City Rink Friday for the first of two key New England Hockey Conference contests with Skidmore.
 
The teams will switch rinks for Saturday's game in Rutland. Both games start at 7 p.m.
 
Skidmore (4-13-4, 4-7-3 NEHC) is coming off a 2-2 tie with Norwich. It was the fifth overtime game of the season for the Thoroughbreds who are 1-0-4 in extra time. For playoff seedings, Skidmore is tied with the Spartans for sixth with 11 points. There are four games and eight possible points left in the regular season.
 
Marc Cibelli (9-18—27) and Anthony Bird (10-16—26) continue to lead the Thoroughbreds in scoring. In conference scoring, Bird (6-11—17) ranks third and Cibelli (4-12—16) tied for fourth. 
 
Jack McDonald has a 2.76 overall goals against average and .928 save percentage in 17 games. He ranks fourth in the NEHC in save percentage with .929.
 
Castleton (6-14-1, 5-8-1 NEHC) is playing its best hockey of the season. The Spartans are coming off a league sweep of Norwich and St. Michael's and are 5-2 over their last seven games. They have struggled on the road with a 1-8-1 record, but are 5-5 at home.
 
Will Laking 8-8—16) leads Castleton in scoring.  Ryan Muldar is 5-8 in net with a 2.76 GAA and .911 save %.