NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Owen Sclisizzi's second-period goal was the only scoring at Kreitzberg Arena Saturday afternoon as #14 Norwich downed #9 Skidmore, 1-0, in another defensive struggle between ranked teams.
 

• The teams are now tied for second in the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) with 31 points. Norwich is 12-6-3 and 9-3-3 in the conference, while Skidmore is 15-4-2 and 10-3-1. Skidmore has four conference games remaining. Norwich has three.
• Skidmore's only four losses this year are against ranked teams. The Thoroughbreds entered riding a six-game winning streak.
• Sclisizzi's goal at 3:55 of the middle period was the only goal in either game this year between the Cadets and Thoroughbreds. The teams tied 0-0 in November in Saratoga Springs. Colin Elliott assisted on the game winner.
• Skidmore was 0-for-4 on the power play despite generating nine shot attempts. The Skidmore penalty kill was effective in two situations while limiting Norwich to just one shot.
• Overall, shots were 26-23 Skidmore. Sami Molu got the win with 16 saves, but Bryce Walcarius made had 10 third period saves in relief.
• Skidmore fired eight shots on net in the last two minutes in a desperate attempt to tie it up. Walcarius made two saves in the final six seconds.
• On the other end, a Patrick O'Neal shot hit the post with the Skidmore net empty and 21 seconds left.
• Tate Brandon turned aside 20 shots in net for the Thoroughbreds.
• Faceoffs were nearly even at 27-24 Norwich.

NEXT UP: Skidmore closes its home regular season slate next weekend against Babson and Southern Maine. The Thoroughbreds can clinch a quarterfinal home game and top-four seed with a regulation win over Babson on Friday.