SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Skidmore College men's hockey team completed a four-point conference weekend with a 4-1 win over New England College on Saturday.
 
Seniors Reid Russell and Austin Rook notched a goal and an assist each and sophomore netminder Tate Brandon turned away a career-high 40 shots to lead the Thoroughbreds, who finished the weekend 1-0-1 after Friday's dramatic draw with second-ranked Norwich. Skidmore moves to 2-1-1 overall and NEC drops to 4-2 (2-2 NEHC).
 
Special teams played king as Skidmore scored three times on the power play and killed all eight NEC power-play opportunities. The Thoroughbreds finished 3-for-4 with the man advantage.
 
Rook opened the scoring 12 seconds into Skidmore's first power play at the 11:04 mark when he connected from the right-wing circle. Russell and Kaeden Patrick sent the puck around the point for the assists. Russell made it 2-0 just 21 seconds elapsed in Skidmore's third man-up chance when he ripped a wrist shot short-side over the goalie's glove. Rook and Will Dow-Kenny picked up the assists.
 
Matt Rutigliano made it 3-0 at the 7:39 mark of the third period taking advantage of a bounce off a Pilgrim defender. Skidmore's third power-play goal in four chances was assisted by Devon Mussio and Zach Lindewirth. Jaden York scored on his own rebound on a play set up by Mason Beecher and Kyle Delmaestro to make it 4-0 with 5:56 left.
 
Bernie McGovern accounted for NEC's goal 3:36 shy of the shutout on a shot from the left wing. Connor Lefkof and Trevor Momot collected the assists.
 
NEC had a 41-27 advantage in shots on goal, sparked by a 21-6 finish in the third period. Andrew Kormos posted 23 saves for the Pilgrims.
 
Skidmore hits the road next weekend at Southern Maine and nationally sixth-ranked Babson Nov. 19 and 20.