BURLINGTON, Vt. - Vermont scored four third period goals to come from behind Sunday afternoon and defeat Maine 4-1 in Hockey East action at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
The Black Bears opened the scoring 2:21 into the first frame. Chloe Tinkler deflected Kelly McDonald's point shot from just in front of Vermont goaltender Kelci Lanthier for her second goal of the season.
Over the next 40 minutes of action, the Catamounts were called for 11 minor penalties and were shorthanded for a total of 18:54 including three 5-on-3 opportunities. Vermont killed off all 11 opportunities behind 12 saves from Lanthier.
Vermont equalized 4:19 into the third period. On the fore-check, Danielle Rancourt caused a turnover and Erin Wente quickly passed in front to Kellie Dineen. Dineen went forehand to backhand to beat Maine goaltender Brittany Ott for her sixth goal of the season.
Just under three minutes later the Catamounts took the lead for the first time on their own 5-on-3 opportunity. Setup in the umbrella Amanda Pelkey and Dayna Colang passed back and forth before Colang stepped up into the slot and beat Ott with a wrist shot through traffic for her second goal in as many days.
The Catamounts took a two-goal lead at the 12:39 mark of the third period. Emily Walsh scored her fourth goal of the season on a broken play in front of Ott. Brittany Zuback was stripped of the puck in front but Walsh's quick backhand shot beat Ott who was scrambling on the play.
With 1:08 left in the third period, Zuback put the game out of reach with an empty-net tally, her team leading and UVM record 13th of the season. Emily Walsh earned an assist on the play, her 50th career point at Vermont, which set the all-time Division I record.
Lanthier made 27 saves to earn her third win of the season, and her first in Hockey East. Ott turned aside 23 shots for the Black Bears.
Vermont's four third period goals were the most the team has scored in a single period since scoring four in a 7-2 win at Union on October 10, 2008.
The win this afternoon was Vermont's sixth win in Hockey East this season, setting a new program record. The two points also helped clinch sixth place or better, another program first.
"Today, this win felt as good as any we've had this year," said head coach Jim Plumer. "We've had a bunch of firsts this year, and I don't think we are getting too carried away with any of it because they're good steps. Our ability to continue to play better and get better as the season has gone along is what we're working towards. This was a nice win and a good team effort."
Vermont returns to action next weekend as they travel to face No. 3 Boston U in a two-game Hockey East series. The Catamounts will face the Terriers at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
NOTES: Gina Repaci has recorded a point in her last five games, she has one goal and six assists over that span ... The Catamounts were a perfect 16-for-16 on the penalty kill this weekend ... Brittany Zuback's three points this afternoon moved her past Peggy Wakeham (2009-10) as the most by a Catamount in a single Division I season ... Walsh's assist on Zuback's empty-net goal broke a tie at 49 points as Vermont's all-time Division I scoring leader with Chelsea Furlani (2006-10) and Celeste Doucet (2007-11).