BURLINGTON, Vt. - RPI's Ottoville Leppanen scored the game-winning goal 4:43 into the second period for the Engineers as they held on late to defeat Vermont 3-2 in non-conference action from Gutterson Fieldhouse Thursday afternoon.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Some things to like in this game - our young players for the most part contributed well," Head Coach Todd Woodcroft said. "We had about 15 minutes from middle of the first period through the second that we were not awake. Multiple mistakes and not being sharp cost us two goals. Our resiliency and ability to stay in the game is a source of pride and the amount of chances we got late is something to build on. But for this team to reach its potential, it needs a culture of performance. Going forward, the players who perform - in games and in practice - will be rewarded with ice time. I expect that in January, this team will start to reveal who we will be."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- First year forward Jesper Tarkiainen opened the scoring for the Catamounts 2:28 into the contest. Tarkiainen stashed home a rebound after fellow first year Luke Mountain drove to the net. It was Tarkiainen's first career goal and Mountain's first career point.
- RPI's leading scorer Ture Linden equalized with 4:24 left the in the first period. From the edge of the circle Linden one-timed a feed from Leppanen past UVM's Gabe Carriere.
- RPI took the lead with just 23 seconds left in the first period. In transition Rory Herrman fed a trailing Simon Kjellberg and he snapped home his fourth goal of the season from just inside the slot.
- Leppanen scored the eventual game-winner for the Engineers in transition 4:43 into the middle frame. Carriere made an initial save on Ryan Mahshie's wrist shot but from behind the net Leppanen fired the rebound off of Carriere's back and in for his fifth goal of the campaign.
- Vermont had 12 shots on goal in the second period but couldn't solve RPI's Jack Watson, they entered the third period trailing by two goals.
- Joe Leahy brought the Catamounts back within one on the power play with 3:26 left in regulation. He fired a perfectly placed wrist shot through traffic for his second goal of the season. Cory Babichuk and Jacques Bouquot earned assists on the tally.
- Vermont pulled its goalie for the final 1:40 of game action but couldn't solve RPI's Watson again as he earned his first career collegiate win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Junior captain Andrew Lucas led all Catamounts Thursday with five shots on goal.
- This afternoon was the first game under Head Coach Todd Woodcroft where the Catamounts didn't take a single penalty. It was the first time since at least 2002-03 that Vermont wasn't charged with a single penalty in a game.
WHO'S NEXT
The Catamounts return to action in the New Year on Tuesday, January 4 as they travel to Worcester to face Holy Cross in their final non-conference road contest of the season. Action from the Hart Center Rink is scheduled for 7 p.m. The voice of the Catamounts, Adam LaFleur, will broadcast the action live on WVMT (FM 96.3 / AM 620) live streaming will be available on FloHockey.TV. A monthly subscription is required to view the game.
