Middlebury exploded for four goals in a 9:03 span in the second period on its way to a 6-1 win over Skidmore.
After a scoreless first period, Middlebury got on the board 7:29 into the second when Adam Foote put home his own rebound after a transition shot. The Panthers took a 2-0 lead 3:10 later when Ryan Constantine scored on a backhander from between the circles.
The lead grew to 3-0 as Matt Dunn tipped in a shot from Foote for a power-play goal, and Middlebury made it a 4-0 game on Matt Snyder’s tip-in out of the air after a shot from Jack Kennedy.
Skidmore got on the board early in the third period when Collin Whelan deflected in a great crossing pass from Craig Roser, but the Panthers made it a 5-1 lead when Scot Curtin ripped home a slapshot from the right point.
Kevin Cooper added a late power-play goal to make it a 6-1 final.
Christian Carlsson made 12 saves in goal for Middlebury, while Jon Olson had 36 for Skidmore.