BURLINGTON, Vt. - Three different Catamounts scored, Jessie McPherson made 15 saves and UVM outshot Boston College 47-16 Friday afternoon as Vermont secured its first win over the Eagles since 2009 in a convincing 3-1 decision from Gutterson Fieldhouse. With the win UVM closes out the first semester with a record of 9-7-2 including a 6-4-1 mark in Hockey East.
COACH'S QUOTE
"What a great way to go into the break," Head Coach Jim Plumer said. "I love the way this team has been developing and things have really started to fall into place for us over the past several weeks. We are scoring timely goals and learning how to close out games. Today, I really thought we showed off our depth. We've been relying a lot on a few players who have been scoring and it was great to see different players step up in key moments. It's great to go into the break with momentum and we will be excited to resume our Hockey East schedule in three weeks."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After outshooting BC 8-1 in the opening five minutes the Catamounts were rewarded 6:08 into the first period on a two-on-one rush. Lily Humphrey took a long Boston College rebound and fed it into the neutral zone to Hailey Burns. Burns and Maddy Skelton entered the zone together and Burns fed a cross-ice pass to Skelton that she one-timed home for her second goal of the season.
- The Eagles equalized 2:49 later on a great individual effort from Caroline Goffredo. Goffredo swiped the puck from a UVM defender in the neutral zone and with a little time and space she snapped a shot past UVM's Jessie McPherson for her fifth goal of the season.
- With exactly two minutes to go in the opening period Evelyne Blais-Savoie reclaimed the Catamounts lead for good. Natálie Mlýnková won a faceoff clean to her on the left wing and she skated into the high slot before burying a shot just under the bar for what turned out to be her first career game-winning goal.
- With 4.1 seconds left in the opening period the Catamounts scored a backbreaker on the power play to take a commanding lead. Boston College's Abigail Levy made a save on a Mlýnková one-timer and then robbed Tynka Pátková on the door step with a diving save. But Pátková stayed with the play and stashed her second of the season home with the third attempt.
- The Catamounts played clean hockey for the rest of the evening, dominating possession and outshooting the Eagles 28-9 as they closed out the fall semester with a significant win. INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- UVM was two-for-two on the penalty kill this afternoon. They have gone five straight games without conceding while shorthanded. In 18 games this season Vermont has given up just four power play tallies.
- With today's regulation win over Boston College the Catamounts are two points back of the Eagles for fourth place in Hockey East with two games in hand.
- With today's win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Vermont Foodbank as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Vermont Mutual has committed to donating $15,000 to Vermont Foodbank for the 2021 season. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.
WHO'S NEXT
The Catamounts are off for three weeks until they face Providence on Friday, December 31 at 2 p.m. at Schneider Arena. The game will be broadcast live on NESN.
