BOSTON, Mass. - Jessie McPherson held it down for the Catamounts Friday evening from Matthews Arena after recording her second shutout in a row on the way to a 2-0 victory over No. 12 Northeastern in the first game of a two-game series. With the win, Vermont rises to a 13-16-4 overall record (11-12-3 HEA).
Entering the last game of the regular season the Catamounts sit in sixth place in Hockey East one point clear of Boston University. The sixth-place team will receive the final bye into the quarterfinals on March 2. The Terriers hold the tiebreaker over Vermont so the Catamounts must match BU's result tomorrow to keep sixth place.
COACH'S QUOTE:
"Great win for our team tonight against an excellent Northeastern team," Head Coach Jim Plumer said. "Again, it starts in net with Jessie McPherson who is playing some of the best hockey of her career right now. Our commitment to team defense is also a key ingredient and we are really playing smart hockey right now which is how you close out close games. We are looking forward to one last regular season game tomorrow and taking momentum into the playoffs."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After a scoreless opening period, Vermont lit the lamp first 6:29 into the second frame after Lily Humphrey slipped the puck past the goalies' glove on the right side on the power play, grabbing the 1-0 lead. Evelyne Blais-Savoie and Rose-Marie Brochu earned assists on the goal.
- Kaylee Lewis notched her tenth goal of the season, scoring on an empty net with one minute remaining of game time after catching a pass from Sara Levesque skating up ice, ultimately putting the game away.
- Jessie McPherson saved all 29 shots faced against the Huskies, earning shutouts in back-to-back games, once again anchoring Vermont to victory over No. 12 Northeastern.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Humphrey scored the game winner, her fifth goal of the season. Kaylee Lewis scored her tenth of the season, the first time in her career scoring in back-to-back games, after notching a goal tonight and against UConn in a 3-0 win on Feb. 17.
- McPherson registered 29 saves off 29 shots to tally her second shutout in just as many games. This is the third time in McPherson's career she has notched back-to-back shutouts.
- Vermont successfully killed off all three power plays faced on Friday night against the Huskies.
- With today's 2-0 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $150 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.
- With the win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Vermont Children's Trust Foundation as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Since its inauguration in 2017, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group has donated over $94,000 to local non-profits through the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative.
UP NEXT:
Vermont plays its final regular season game tomorrow as they close their two-game series with No. 12 Northeastern. Saturday's game is set for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop from Matthews Arena and will air on NESN+ and ESPN+.
