Senior forward Bobby Trivigno registered a goal and an assist for the Minutemen
Massachusetts Skates Past Vermont, 5-1
Senior forward Bobby Trivigno registered a goal and an assist for the Minutemen

Box Score

BURLINGTON, Vt. - No. 10 University of Massachusetts hockey rode a 3-0 first period to a 5-1 victory over Vermont at Gutterson Fieldhouse on Friday night. With the win, the Minutemen move to 18-10-2 overall and 13-6-2 in Hockey East, while the Catamounts fall to 6-22-2 on the season and 4-14-2 in league action.

"I thought we got out to a strong start tonight," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "The guys came out and played real well. Our power play was effective. Our special teams were good tonight. The first two periods I thought we were very strong and we just kind of rode the wave through the third period, but it was a solid road victory for the team."

A 5-on-3 power play opportunity promptly turned into a 2-0 UMass lead midway through the opening period. Freshman Scott Morrow opened the scoring with his 11th of the season, ricocheting a shot off a UVM skate off a feed from classmate Ryan Ufko and senior Bobby Trivigno at the 11:39 mark.

With the Minutemen still holding the man advantage, Kessel ripped a shot home from the top of the slot 27 seconds later with junior Cal Kiefiuk and sophomore Aaron Bohlinger earning the assists.

Junior Reed Lebster added UMass' third of the frame on an odd-man rush, lifting a pass from classmate Eric Faith over goaltender Gabe Carriere at 16:37. Kiefiuk earned his second assist of the night on the play, as well.

Sophomore Oliver MacDonald added the fourth goal of the night for Massachusetts 7:48 into the second period, capitalizing on a Vermont turnover and depositing his second of the season into the Catamount's net.

Trivigno then capped the UMass scoring, connecting with a stretch pass from Ufko and finding the top right corner for his 50th career goal and 40th point of the season to become the seventh member of the 50-goal, 100-point club in program history.

Former Minuteman Philip Lagunov spoiled the shutout 11:32 into the third, knocking home a bouncing puck in front on the power play from Jacques Bouquot and Andrew Lucas.

UMass ended the night with a 25-19 advantage in shots and went 2-for-5 on the power play, while UVM was 1-for-4.

Matt Murray had 15 saves and Luke Pavicich had three stops for the Minutemen, while Hudson had eight saves. For the Catamounts, Carriere had 12 saves and Cole Hudson turned aside eight.

Both teams will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 p.m. at Gutterson Fieldhouse.