RUTLAND, Vt. – The Skidmore College ice hockey team picked up its first New England Hockey Conference point of the season, skating to a 4-4 tie to Castleton at Spartan Arena Saturday afternoon.
 
Skidmore ends the weekend with a 1-1-1 (0-1-1 NEHC) record, while Castleton finishes the weekend at 0-1-2 (0-1-1 NEHC).
 
The Thoroughbreds came out of the gates firing, tallying two quick first period goals via the power-play. Tim Allen and Paul Vella fed Corey Morgan for his first goal of the season at 3:21. Just over three minutes later at 6:32, Reid Russell handed Brandon Borges his third goal of the season as the Thoroughbreds were flying high.
 
Castleton responded at the end of the period with a goal at 18:15, then begun the second with two goals to take a 3-2 lead. Asa Parker tallied a pair of goals to bookend the first and second periods, then Troy Taylor gave Castleton the lead at 13:59. Skidmore completed a wild second period with two goals to retake the lead. Misha Mrotchek fed Max Hegge for his game-tying goal at 14:59. 30 seconds later, Austin Rook gave Skidmore a 4-3 lead, with Borges and Matt Muzyka assisting.
 
Midway through the third period, Castleton would get the game-tying goal, as Anton Tarvainen scored at 12:23.
 
Both teams would tally two shots on goal in the overtime session, but neither team was able to get the game-winner as the squads split the league points.
 
Skidmore outshot Castleton by a 30-26 margin. Brian Kowalski finished with 22 saves in his first action of the season. Wyatt Pickrell finished with 26 saves for Castleton.
 
Skidmore will open the Saratoga Ice Arena for the 2018-19 season next Saturday, hosting Buffalo State in its Alumni and Senior Day contest at 7 p.m.