The Cardinals picked up crucial points toward a playoff spot with a 9-2 victory over Castleton State and a hard-fought 2-2 tie against Skidmore in action on Friday and Saturday.

In a chase for the eighth playoff spot, Wesleyan gained ground with their 3-point weekend, as Conn. College (9) dropped two games and Tufts (8) split in play against UMass Boston and Babson, moving Wesleyan into the number nine spot in the NESCAC.

“The game against Castleton (0-18) was one that we needed,” said Jarred Gagnon ’07. “We put up a big number and that’s always good for confidence. The Skidmore game was in hand and we probably could’ve taken away the W, so while I wouldn’t say we’re satisfied, you just have to let it go and look ahead.”

Six Cardinals contributed to the 7-goal victory as Ryan Hendrickson ’07 led the way, finding the net three times and setting up a teammate to complete a four point night. Taylor Evans ’07 scored twice and sophomore defenseman Mike Barbera dished out three assists, while Dave Scardella ’07 made 11 saves before giving way to freshman net minder Andrew Edge.

In the match-up with Skidmore, the Cardinals took a 2-1 lead into the third period on the strength of a pair of Mike Dorsey ’08 scores as the freshman forward stays on a feverish tear. Despite some unbelievable saves over the course of the game, Scardella was unable to hold Skidmore as the Thoroughbreds netted the tying score with 12 minutes to play. The two teams engaged in a stalemate defensive battle for the remainder of the period.

The Cardinals head to Middlebury and then Williams over the coming weekend hoping to surprise two top-five teams as they continue down the final stretch toward the playoffs.

“Those guys [Middlebury and Williams] just aren’t as good as they used to be,” said Captain Chris Gateman ’05. “They’ve been dropping games the last couple of weeks, and these are teams that aren’t used to losing late in the season. Hopefully we can go up there and steal some points.”

“We have the tools to beat anyone, any time,” Gagnon said. “Looking to win against Middlebury (2) is not unrealistic.”

The Cardinals may be peaking at exactly the right time.