ZUBACK LEADS VERMONT PAST NEW HAMPSHIRE, 3-1
Sophomore forward Brittany Zuback scores twice for Catamounts

Sophomore forward Brittany Zuback scored two goals for the Catamounts

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Brittany Zuback's two goals set a new single season program record as the Catamounts defeated New Hampshire 3-1 Friday night at Gutterson Fieldhouse in Hockey East action.

The Catamounts opened the scoring 6:24 into the second period. Amanda Pelkey picked up her sixth goal of the season in transition. She skated into the Wildcats zone, cut to the right of the slot and beat UNH goaltender Jenn Gilligan with a wrist shot to her left. The Catamounts tally was assisted by Gina Repaci giving her three points in the last two games.

Vermont stretched its lead to two on the power play. New Hampshire was attempting to kill time on the penalty kill and passed the puck back to their own defensive zone. A Wildcats defenseman fumbled the puck, and Zuback corralled the puck, walked in alone on Gilligan and roofed a shot for her 11th goal of the season at the 13:04 mark of the second period. Zuback added a program record 12th goal of the season 2:06 into the third period. Pelkey tapped the puck up to Zuback who walked in on Gilligan on a two-on-one with Pelkey. Zuback fired a shot right under the cross bar to give the Catamounts a three-goal cushion.

With her 12th goal of the season Zuback also tied the program record for points in a single season with 22. Peggy Wakeham also had 22 points in 2008-09.

The Wildcats did break Vermont goaltender Roxanne Douville's shutout bid late in the third period. Arielle O'Neill scored her sixth goal of the season with 1:53 left to get the Wildcats on the board. Douville made 32 saves to earn her fifth win of the season, all in conference play.

"Honestly it was our most complete game of the year," said head coach Jim Plumer. "We just focused on keeping it simple and playing smart and it all added up to a good game. I think when you get that feeling of having executed well and played a complete game, we have to want to feel that way after tomorrow's game."

Vermont returns to action tomorrow afternoon (3 p.m.) as the Catamounts close out their season series with New Hampshire.

The Saturday afternoon contest will be televised live on WCAXtra, with coverage beginning 15 minutes before faceoff. WCAXtra is located on Digital 3.2, Comcast 331, Burlington Telecom 303, Charter 295, Waitsfield Telecom 133 and Time Warner 165. Rob Ryan will handle the play-by-by while CatamounTV's own Ashley Chase will provide color commentary.

Saturday is Youth Hockey Day, any kid eighth grade or younger can receive free admission by e-mailing RallyCatamount@uvm.edu prior to the game. Following the game the team will host the annual Postgame Skate with the Cats.

Tickets for all UVM home games can be purchased online at UVMathletics.com, via the phone at 802-656-4410 or the day of the game at the Gutterson Fieldhouse Ticket Office.

NOTES: Vermont now has 13 points in Hockey East play, a new high for the program ... Five wins in conference play ties the team record set in 2009-10 ... Roxanne Douville has made 30 or more saves 13 times this season ... Vermont blocked 19 shots Friday night ... Erin Wente, Dayna Colang, and Danielle Rancourt all blocked three shots ... Vermont is now 4-4-2 this season when Brittany Zuback scores ... The Catamounts are now 5-2-0 in their last seven games against UNH.