Burlington, Vt. - Hockey East leading scorer Kelli Stack scored one goal and set up two others as fifth-ranked Boston College blanked Vermont, 5-0, in women's Hockey East action Sunday afternoon at Gutterson Fieldhouse. It was the second straight shutout for the first place Eagles (16-5-3, 10-3-1) as they completed a sweep of the season series over the Catamounts (5-20-1, 3-10-0).
BC had a 31-16 advantage in shots, 21-9 over the first two periods, and its team defense limited Vermont to very few good scoring opportunities over the afternoon. Eagles goalie Molly Schaus stopped all 16 UVM shots to earn her ninth shutout of the season.
"I think we took a little step backwards in the game today. For the most part, we didn't move the puck very efficiently and very quick, and had a few too many turnovers," said Vermont coach Tim Bothwell. "We have to be much better next weekend at Boston University and I think we will."
Stack scored the game's first goal with two seconds left in the first period and set up two power play goals by Mary Restuccia in BC's three-goal second period. Allison Szlosek scored her first career goal in the second and Danielle Welch wrapped up the scoring with her ninth of the season at 8:28 of the final stanza.
Vermont goalie Kristen Olychuck (Kelowna, B.C.) finished with 26 saves and she was sturdy in the first period stopping 10 shots. Her best save was off Allie Thunstrom on a partial breakaway before Stack's goal right before the intermission.
The Catamounts best bids to avoid the shutout were in the final 20 minutes. Celeste Doucet (Memramcook, New Brunswick) and Chelsea Rapin (Walled Lake, Mich.) could not connect on a 2-on-1 rush and freshmen forwards Channing Ahbe (Centennial, Colo) and Kyleigh Palmer (Winnipeg, Manitoba) each had good shots turned aside by Schaus.
Both teams had five power play opportunities with Boston College converted twice while UVM, despite moving the puck well around the perimeter with an extra skater, was unsuccessful on all if its five.
Vermont next weekend travels to Boston University to take on the Terriers Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. at Walter Brown Arena. The Catamounts next play at home on Saturday and Sunday, February 7-8, when they host New Hampshire at Gutterson Fieldhouse. Admission is free for all UVM students (with a valid ID) and Rally's Round Up members for all regular season home games. For ticket information please call 1-866-4-CAT-TIX or log on to www.UVMathletics.com.