Freshman forward Jada Christian scored the game-tying goal for the Wildcats
New Hampshire Rallies To Tie Vermont, 3-3
Freshman forward Jada Christian scored the game-tying goal for the Wildcats

BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Vermont Catamounts (2-0-3, 0-0-1 HEAW) jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but had to settle for a tie against the New Hampshire Wildcats (3-1-2, 2-0-1 HEAW) in UVM's first Hockey East game of the season on Friday night at Gutterson Fieldhouse.


COACH'S QUOTE

"That was a tough outcome for us," said head coach Jim Plumer. "We found out tonight that points don't come easy in Hockey East. I hope we learned an important lesson to play hard and smart for 60 minutes."


HOW IT HAPPENED

- The Catamounts took only 2:24 to find the back of the net on Lilly Holmes' first goal of the season. The sophomore forward took off on a partial breakaway, shifted the puck to her backhand and lifted the puck over the glove of Ava Boutilier (6 saves).

- Corinne McCool added her third goal of the season less than three minutes later when she batted a rebound home on the power play. Sini Karjalainen and Val Caldwell were credited with assists on the goal.

- Vermont struck again on the power play with 1:22 left in the opening frame as senior captain Ali O'Leary wristed a shot through traffic to beat Boutilier. Ellice Murphy and Hailey Burns assisted on O'Leary's first of the season.

- UNH's Meghara McManus got one back for the Wildcats with the lone score of the second period on a breakaway goal that beat Blanka Škodová (20 saves). Nicole Dunbar and Talli Warren assisted on the goal.

- Taylor Wenczkowski and Jada Christian registered goals in the third period to force overtime. Wenczkowski's came early in the period on the power play while Christian netted her second goal of the season with 4:35 left in regulation.

- Theresa Schafzahl nearly netted the game-winner in the final seconds of the third period, but Nikki Harnett (19 saves) turned it away with the blocker.


NOTES

- Lilly Holmes' marker was not only her second collegiate goal, but also the second shorthanded goal of her career. The left-shooting forward netted a goal on the penalty kill on her first career shot last year against UConn (Oct. 6, 2018).

- Vermont extends its unbeaten streak to five games, which is the longest to start a season in program history.


UP NEXT

Vermont returns to Gutterson Fieldhouse for Rally Against Cancer Night, presented by Inspired Closets, on Sunday (Oct. 20) against the seventh-ranked Boston College Eagles. Tickets for the 2 p.m. puck drop can be purchased here. The Catamounts will be wearing lavender jerseys, to represent the fight against all cancers, which will be auctioned off through October 24th with proceeds going to the University of Vermont Cancer Center. Click here to bid on a game-worn jersey.

Game Summary

Friday, October 18, 2019

3
3
Game statistics
23 Shots 28
1 / 7 Power Plays 2 / 7
7 / 14 PIM 8 / 16
3-1-2 Records 2-0-3
GOAL SCORERS
New Hampshire Vermont
Lilly Holmes (1)
1st/2:24 SH
Corinne McCool (3)
1st/5:14 PP
Ali O'Leary (1)
1st/18:38 PP
Meghara McManus (4)
2nd/6:16
Taylor Wenczkowski (2)
3rd/2:55 PP
Jada Christian (2)
3rd/15:25  GT
GOALTENDERS
New Hampshire Vermont
Ava Boutilier
18:38, 6 Saves, 3 GA

Nikki Harnett
46:22, 19 Saves, 0 GA
(T, 0-0-1)
Blanka Škodová
65:00, 20 Saves, 3 GA
(T, 2-0-3)