RUTLAND, Vt. - The Saint Michael's College men's ice hockey team did not allow an even-strength goal during its eventual 3-0 loss to No. 7 Castleton State College on Friday in an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) East contest at Spartan Arena.

The Purple Knights drop to 6-13-2 overall and 3-11-1 in the ECAC East, while the Spartans improve to 16-4-2 and 11-2-2. Castleton State's ranking is according to this week's U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) Division III poll.

Junior Mike Dizgun (Kirkland, Quebec/OCN Blizzard) finished with 32 saves for the visitors, including 23 in the final two periods.

Junior Justin Alonzo (San Jose, Calif./Jr. Bruins) tallied two goals for the Spartans, while sophomore Nick Lazorko (Rockwall, Texas/Winkler) scored one goal and dished off two helpers. Freshman Thomas Shelley (Waterford, Ontario/Huntsville) stopped 20 shots to earn his second shutout of the season.

The Purple Knights held a 12-10 edge in shots while nearly forging a scoreless tie during the first period, but Alonzo scored twice on what began as a 5-on-3 power play to give Castleton State a 2-0 advantage early in the second stanza. After breaking the deadlock with 8.6 seconds remaining in the first period, he scored again 39 seconds into the second.

Dizgun helped the Purple Knights stay within two goals, as 13 of the 14 shots attempted in the second period were on the Saint Michael's net, and he turned aside 12. Lazorko increased the Spartan lead to three goals when he put home a short-handed tally at 6:33 of the third period.

The Purple Knights continue their road weekend on Saturday when they travel to Skidmore College for a 4 p.m. ECAC East contest. The Thoroughbreds upset No. 1 Norwich University, 3-2, on Friday.