AMHERST, Mass. - Mike Kostka and Martin Nolet each tallied power play goals and Paul Dainton made 24 saves as the No. 14 UMass hockey team skated to a 2-2 overtime tie with Vermont on Saturday night in the Mullins Center. UMass held a 2-1 lead after the first period thanks to a 5x3 power play that yielded Kostka and Nolet's goals. Vermont tied the game just over four minutes into the second period, but neither team could score in the third or overtime periods. UMass will head to Northeastern next Friday before hosting Maine on Saturday for White Out Night.
UMass improves to 9-8-6 overall and 4-7-5 in Hockey East action, while Vermont goes to 6-9-7 overall and 5-5-5 in Hockey East. The six ties for UMass ties the single-season school record which was also set during the 2003-04 and 1995-96 seasons.
Vermont jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 3:35 into the game when Brian Roloff netted his second goal of the season.
The Catamounts committed two critical penalties with just over six minutes remaining in the period that led to a 5x3 power play for the Minutemen. Kyle Medvec was whistled for boarding and Patrick Cullity was called for contact to the head seven seconds later giving UMass a two-man advantage.
Kostka took advantage of the opportunity 25 seconds into the 5x3 power play with his fifth goal of the season - all on power play situations. P.J. Fenton cycled the puck to Cory Quirk who sent a pass over to Kostka. Kostka ripped a shot past Vermont goalie Joe Fallon to tie the game at 1-1.
Nolet notched his second goal of the season with just seven seconds remaining on the 5x4 power play. Chris Davis and Will Ortiz were credited with the assists.
Wahsontiio Stacey drew the Catamounts even at 2-2 just 4:13 into the second period when Roloff sent him a pass after a turnover near center ice.
Neither team could score in the remainder of the stanza and played scoreless through the third period and overtime. Both goalies made eight saves in the third period. Fallon was pressured into four saves in overtime, while UMass goalie Paul Dainton made just one.
The Minutemen finished the game outshooting Vermont 33-to-26. UMass converted 2-of-4 power play chances, while killing off three Vermont power plays. For the series, the Minutemen were able to kill off all seven power play opportunities including five this weekend.
Fallon finished the game with 31 saves, while Dainton stopped 24 shots.