SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Everett Wardle scored with 27.7 seconds left to knot the score at four as the Skidmore College men's hockey team went on to tie nationally second-ranked Norwich, 4-4.
 
The Thoroughbreds trailed by two going into the third period but used goals 28 seconds into the period and with 28 seconds remaining to earn the hard-fought draw. Skidmore is 1-1-1 and gained a valuable point to open New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) play. Norwich is 2-0-2 and 1-0-2.
 
Wardle's goal came on an extra-attacker scramble when his wraparound attempt bounced in. Austin Rook and Jack Strauss picked up the assists. Rook finished with a pair of helpers for the Thoroughbreds.
 
The Cadets struck first with a power-play tally from Patrick O'Neal from Logan vande Meerakker and Jason Galotti. Reid Russell put a shot under the bar to tie it at one just 13 seconds later. Matt Rutigliano and Zach Lindewirth assisted. It took just 52 seconds for Zach Frisk to give the Thoroughbreds the lead. Rook won a battle in the corner and played it to the open Frisk in the slot. Ethan Heidepriem collected the secondary helper.  
 
Brett Ouderkirk and Clark Kerner jolted Norwich ahead with goals separated by 43 seconds. Ouderkirk's swat towards the Skidmore net went in off a Thoroughbred skate. Kerner finished off a 2-on-1 rush with Isaac Chapman. The first period closed after seeing five goals separated by just over seven minutes.
 
Phillip Elgstam scored the only goal of the second period at the 4:52 mark on a play set up by O'Neal and Holden Doggett. Jaden York found Mason Beecher for Skidmore's third goal early in the third period.   
 
Before eventually scoring the equalizer in the waning seconds, Skidmore played a strong third period with several scoring opportunities and a 17-6 advantage in shots. The Thoroughbreds also killed a penalty that expired with less than two minutes on the clock. Skidmore couldn't connect earlier on a power-play opportunity thanks primarily by Norwich's goalie, Drennen Atherton, who made three consecutive saves including a diving sprawl on a shot from Will Dow-Kenny that appeared destined for the net.
 
Skidmore was 0-for-2 on the power play. Norwich finished 1-for-4. Atherton had 26 saves for the Cadets. Tate Brandon turned aside 31 shots for the Thoroughbreds.
 
The five-minute 3-on-3 overtime saw no goals and just two Skidmore shots on goal. The Thoroughbreds held possession for most of the extra period but couldn't generate any quality chances despite the pressure.
 
Skidmore caps the weekend by hosting New England College on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 4 p.m.