LOWELL, Mass. - Joel Määttä scored once in regulation and the only goal in the shootout Friday night as Vermont earned two league points in a 1-1 tie with UMass Lowell from the Tsongas Center, followed by a 1-0 shootout win. With the tie, the Catamounts improved to 11-12-2 while the River Hawks improved to 7-17-3 overall.
COACH'S QUOTE
"It goes without saying that every point counts a little extra right now," Head Coach Steve Wiedler said. "This is a tough place to play on the road and Lowell is an extremely detailed, stingy defensive team. Proud of our guys for getting that extra point tonight, it was a team effort."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After a scoreless first period the Catamounts opened the scoring 1:59 into the second with a goal in transition. A UMass Lowell defender fanned on a shot and the Catamounts immediately went the other way. Jens Richards led what was a four-on-two rush for Vermont. Richards cut to his right when he entered the zone creating a lane in the slot for Joel Määttä. Määttä took the pass from Richards, stepped around a River Hawks defender and wired a shot just under the bar for his second goal of the year.
- The River Hawks equalized at the 11:13 mark of the second period. Defenseman Mitchell Becker took the puck at the UVM blue line and made one move to cut into the middle of the ice. Before the UVM defense could cut him off in the slot he snuck a wrist shot under Gabe Carriere's arm. Becker's third goal of the season was assisted by Alex Peterson.
- With 12:02 to play in the third period Vermont came within inches of taking the lead. On the power play Jérémie Bucheler rang a shot off the post from the point.
- In the final four minutes of the third Carriere made four saves to push the game to the extra session.
- After a scoreless overtime session where UML outshot UVM 4-3 the teams went to a shootout. Carriere made three stops for Vermont and Määttä iced the contest for the Catamounts. He faked on his forehand before neatly tucking a backhand home for the only goal of the shootout.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Vermont is now 2-0 in Hockey East shootouts this season, Gabe Carriere has stopped all six attempts he has faced.
- Jens Richards extended his career-best point streak to eight games this evening. Over the last eight games he has posted four goals and five assists for nine points.
- With tonight's 1-1 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $75 to Special Olympics Vermont. Community Bank, N.A. donates $75 per goal to Special Olympics Vermont for every goal the men's and women's team scores this season.
UP NEXT
The teams will face off again tomorrow night at 6 p.m. from the Tsongas Center. The action will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and as always, the game will air live on WVMT with the voice of the Catamounts Adam Lafleur in the Handy Toyota Broadcast Booth.
