MIDDLETOWN, CT. -  Capping off a thrilling weekend of NESCAC victories, the Wesleyan men's hockey team toppled Middlebury College on Saturday afternoon in a 4-2 finish as the team was led by junior Hayden Hanes '27 with two goals from Spurrier-Snyder Arena.

For the first time since early 2023 the Cardinals (5-7-0 overall, 4-2-0 NESCAC) triumphed over the Panthers at home, snapping Middlebury's (5-4-2 overall, 3-3-1 NESCAC) dominance in the wake of Hanes' offensive efforts. Hanes finished the weekend with three total goals.

In the early stages of the opening period the Panthers kept in stride with the Cardinals, but Jack Marottolo '26 kickstarted the action on goal. Taking an initial shot on Andrew Heinze, Marottolo's puck fell behind the net and found Hanes and Connor Sutherland '27 ready to reel it back to the post for Marottolo's backhand over the blocker of Heinze.

The Cardinals would strike again before the end of the first, this time as Hanes notched his first goal of the night. Capitalizing on a turnover in front of Patrick McDevitt '28 in goal, the Troy Maldonado '28 carried the puck to the neutral zone before making the pass to Hanes at the far wall. Hanes snapped the puck over Heinze's right shoulder.

Hanes opened the second period with his second goal of the game, giving the Cardinals a three-goal lead over the Panthers. Hanes' shot from the near circle over fell once again over the shoulder of Heinze, fed by Han Shin '28 and Sutherland. The Panthers finally answered by the time the second period wore down, Revy Mack cutting the Cardinals' lead before Jackson Morehouse scored the opening goal of the third period.

With just under 15 minutes to run in regulation, Andrew Haxton '28 rallied one final goal in the face of three Panthers waiting in front of Heinze. Ethan Davidson '26 picked off a pass at the Cardinals blue line, shifting possession to Haxton in the neutral zone as Haxton danced through all three defenders before snagging the shot from the far circle.

Haxton led all offensive efforts with four shots on goal. Hanes finished with 12 faceoffs wins while Danny Judge '26 finished with 11.

In goal, McDevitt put a stop to 31 shots on goal, earning his second win in row. Heinze finished the evening for the Panthers with 23 saves.

The Cardinals return to action on Friday, Jan. 16, when they travel to Colby for a 7 p.m. puck drop.