CASTLETON, Vt. – Despite a 27-save performance by Hawks goaltender Robert Kang (Glen Rock, N.J.), the Saint Anselm College men's ice hockey team lost to nationally-ranked Castleton State College by a 7-0 margin Friday evening at Spartan Arena. With the loss, the Hawks have lost three-straight games and drop to 6-6-3 overall and to 3-6-2 within the ECAC Men's East.  Castleton, the fourth-ranked team in the most recent USCHO.com Division III men's ice hockey coaches' poll, improves to 15-3-0 overall and to 10-1-0 within conference play.

For the Spartans, forward Nick Lazorko led the way with two goals and two assists for four points (2-2=4), scoring the game-winning goal on the power play at 4:03 of the first period.  Lazorko's first goal of the game and 16th goal of the season was assisted by forward Ben Schoeneberger and defenseman Tyler Atkins.  Schoeneberger would go on to accumulate a three point evening (1-2=3), while Atkins assisted three separate goals (0-3=3).

Forward Ross Herzog also put forth a multiple-point evening for Castleton, scoring twice and recording an assist for three points (2-1=3).  Herzog's first goal of the season lifted the Spartans to a 2-0 lead at 5:53 of the first period and his second goal of the game capped off the scoring on the evening for Castleton, as he potted the seventh goal of the evening for the home team.

Also recording goals for Castleton were forwards Brent Zeggil and Dan Bell, with Zeggil's goal coming shorthanded.  In total, 12 different skaters recorded at least one point in the contest for the Spartans.

Kang (3-2-1) drew only his second defeat of the season, turning aside 27-of-34 shots on goal.  Castleton goaltender Erick Cinotti (8-3-0) drew his eighth victory of the year, collecting his first shutout of the year by halting all 19 Saint Anselm shots on goal.

Saint Anselm was 0-for-5 on the power play.  Castleton was 2-for-7 with the man advantage.

NOTABLES:  The Hawks lost to Castleton for the second time this season after dropping a 2-1 home contest on Nov. 12, 2011…The Hawks have not lost three straight games in regulation dating back to their five game losing streak between Feb. 11 and Feb. 19 of last season…Castleton has not played at home since Nov. 27, two months in between home contests for the top-ranked team in ECAC Men's East play…Castleton was ranked fourth-overall in the most recent USCHO.com Division III Men's ice hockey coaches' poll.

The Hawks wrap up their two game road trip as they travel to Skidmore College to face-off against the Thoroughbreds in a 4:00 p.m. contest.  Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, directly from the Saint Anselm College athletic department by friending us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/STAHawks) and following us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/STAHawks).