VERMONT CATAMOUNTS UPEND NORTHEASTERN HUSKIES, 3-1
Sophomore forward Sebastian Stalberg posts goal and assist for Catamounts

Sophomore forward Sebastian Stalberg had a goal and an assist for the Catamounts

BOSTON, Mass. - Northeastern had its two-game winning streak halted in a 3-1 setback against Vermont on Friday night at Matthews Arena despite outshooting the Catamounts, 33-25. The Huskies had several great chances throughout the evening, but a couple bad breaks and bounces foiled Northeastern's bid at a third-straight triumph.

Senior Steve Silva broke a six-game goal draught by potting his second power play goal of the evening. Classmate Wade MacLeod and rookie Brodie Reid continued their scoring streaks by providing the help on NU's lone marker.

Sophomore Chris Rawlings made his return to the net, making 22 saves and sliding to 4-8-4 on the year. UVM netminder turned away 32 shots in the triumph.

In the opening stages of the game, Vermont posed the earliest threats, particularly in close on Rawlings. At the 7:00 minute mark, the Catamounts' front-door knocking paid off for the first tab of the contest. Sebastian Stalberg attempted a wrist shot from atop the right circle, but the puck sailed wide of the target. Anthony DeCenzo positioned himself on the near post and was able to corral the errant shot to dump it in for the 1-0 lead.

Just over three minutes elapsed before Jack Downing doubled up UVM's cushion at the 10:07 mark of the first stanza. Northeastern lost control of the puck off the near boards and Drew MacKenzie collected the puck with his stick and connected with Downing in the neutral zone for an unattested breakaway. Downing went off to the races and beat Rawlings with a backhand deke to push ahead, 2-0.

Northeastern went on the power play for four-straight minutes in the latter part of the first after Tobias Nilsson-Roos (interference) and Kevan Miller (hooking) took respective seats at 13:23 and 15:17. The Huskies threw a couple pucks at Madore to look for the rebound or tip, but to no avail as UVM marched into the locker room with a 2-0 buffer after the first 20 minutes.

The Huskies penalty-killing unit shunned Vermont on its first extra-man opportunity after a tripping call was assessed to sophomore Drew Ellement at 1:11. NU went on the offensive after Josh Burrows took an interference call at 4:19. The Huskies exuded three grade-A chances, including an episode where the puck crossed the line but the play was blown dead before the goal light went on. Silva crossed up his defender, as well, but Madore stumped him on the doorstep to keep Northeastern off the board.

After freshman Braden Pimm's boarding call at 7:28 went by the wayside, sophomore Garrett Vermeersch wheeled the puck into UVM's zone and beat Madore with a backhand flick from about eight feet out, but Vermeersch was an inch too far to the right as the puck clanged off the iron to deny another great NU scoring chance.

Anders Franzon was called for interference at 17:29 to give Northeastern another extra-man opportunity to close out the period. MacLeod nearly stuffed it home as the two-minute window closed, but Madore laid on top of the puck to keep NU scoreless through 40 minutes.

Rookie Rob Dongara accepted a crisp pass from junior Mike McLaughlin through the netural zone to create a quick breakaway about two minutes into the third frame, but Dongara's wrister made its way into Madore's chest to negate NU's bid at cutting the lead in half.

The Huskies made it onto the scoreboard in power play fashion thanks to a tip in from Silva 6:35 into the third session after Lawson was carded for interference (5:38). Reid kick started the play by faking a slapshot from the point and deferring over to MacLeod on the near boards. MacLeod wheeled the puck into the zone and rifled it off of Madore's chest. The puck bobbled around the crease and Silva slipped his stick in to cut the lead in half, 2-1.

Vermont did not take long to reestablish its two-goal lead after Stalberg netted a wrister from the left circle at 9:03. Rookie Luke Eibler's interference penalty yielded UVM's third goal after the Catamounts cycled near the blue line and Stalberg pulled the trigger on a dish from Nick Bruneteau.

Another Franzon interference infraction at 9:29 opened a window for Northeastern, but Madore stood his ground despite several scoring opportunities.

Head coach Greg Cronin opted for the extra skater at 19:26 and pulled Rawlings. Northeastern scrounged a couple shots in the waning moments, but Vermont clung on to its 3-1 edge for the victory.

Northeastern looks to exact revenge upon the Catamounts and close out the series tomorrow night for a 7 p.m. puck drop at Matthews Arena.

Game Notes

- Brodie Reid# is currently riding a four-game point streak (3-3-6) while Wade MacLeod is on a five-game tear (3-3-6).

- Steve Silva scored his second power play goal of the season (Nov. 20 against Providence) and sixth of his career. Silva's ppg marks his 10th point of the season (4-6-10).

- Randy Guzior played right win this evening. The last time Randy Guzior played at the forward position was against Bentley on Oct. 16, 2009.