SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The Skidmore College hockey team will play its final two regular-season home games this weekend with playoff positioning on the line.
 
The Thoroughbreds host New England College on Friday at 7 p.m. and Southern Maine on Saturday at 4 p.m.
 
Friday's game will be Mental Health Awareness Night to support the Do it For Daron Foundation. DIFD is about inspiring conversations, raising awareness, and transforming youth mental health.
 
Saturday will Hockey Night in Saratoga. The Thoroughbreds and Saratoga Springs High School will play a doubleheader with the high school game beginning at 7 p.m. against rival Shenendehowa. There will be free admission and giveaways at the Skidmore game.
 
Skidmore is 10-7-4 overall and 6-6-2 in the New England Hockey Conference. The Thoroughbreds are tied with Southern Maine (7-12-3, 6-7-2 NEHC) for sixth place with a game-in-hand.
 
Only four points separate four teams between fourth and sixth place. The top eight teams qualify for the NEHC Tournament, with the top four hosting a quarterfinal game on Feb. 22.
 
Defenseman Austin Rook leads Skidmore in scoring with six goals and 13 assists. Reid Russell (3 goals, 10 assists, 13 points) is next one point ahead of Matt Muzyka (7-5—12), Avery Steele (5-7—12) and Mike Gelatt (5-7—12).
 
Goalie Brandon Kasel continues to be one of the league's top netminders with a 2.29 goals against average and .929 save percentage.
 
The Thoroughbreds beat New England College (10-5, 14-7-1) 5-3 in the first match-up on Dec. 7 in New Hampshire.
 
Nikita Pintusov is second nationally goals with 22 to go along with 13 assists for 35 points. He's fifth nationally with eight power-play goals. Linemate Carlos Fornaria leads the nation in assists with 31. Anthony Pupplo has a 3.13 GAA and .896 GAA in 21 games.
 
Southern Maine tied Skidmore 2-2 on Dec. 6 in Maine. The Huskies are 3-6-1 over their last 10 games. Adam Withers (6-13—19) leads USM in scoring. Anthony D'Alolsio has a 2.53 GAA and .916 save percentage in 15 games.
 
Skidmore will close out the regular season at Babson Feb. 14 and UMASS Boston Feb. 15.