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Junior forward Reed Lebster posted a goal and two assists for the Minutemen
Massachusetts Sweeps Weekend Series with 8-2 Win Against Vermont
Junior forward Reed Lebster posted a goal and two assists for the Minutemen

Box Score

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Eight different Minutemen scored goals on Saturday night, helping No. 10 University of Massachusetts hockey complete the weekend sweep at Vermont with an 8-2 victory at Gutterson Fieldhouse. With the win, UMass improves to 19-10-2 on the season, 14-6-2 in Hockey East, while the Catamounts fall to 6-23-2 overall and 4-15-2 in league action.

"Another solid game by the team," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "I thought Vermont came out ready to play. It took us a little while to get our feet under us, but once we got going, the kids played really well. The special teams were outstanding tonight and we got a lot of scoring up and down the lineup. The scores were lopsided, but we had to earn them this weekend and we played really well."

In the closing moments of the first period, junior Reed Lebster put Massachusetts on the board, depositing the puck into the UVM net on a 3-on-1 rush from classmates Cal Kiefiuk and Eric Faith at the 18:18 mark.

To open the second period, UMass made quick work of its first power play of the night with junior Matthew Kessel collecting a pass from senior Bobby Trivigno and Lebster and whipping a shot home from the point 2:37 into the frame.

Massachusetts added another with the man advantage at the 15-minute mark as Josh Lopina connected for a one-timer from freshman Scott Morrow and Trivigno in the slot for his 10th of the season.

UMass then truly broke the game open with three goals in the final 2 minutes, 5 seconds of the second period. Kiefiuk started the flurry at the 17:55 mark with Lebster and Kessel earning the assists.

Morrow followed with his 12th tally of the season, driving to the goal and tucking the puck into the open net from senior Anthony Del Gaizo and freshman Lucas Mercuri at 18:34.

Freshman Ryan Ufko capped the five-goal period by scoring a buzzer beater from the high slot at 19:59 from senior Garrett Wait and Lopina.

Sophomore Aaron Bohlinger added UMass' fourth power play tally 9:06 into the third period to bring the score to 7-0 as the Minutemen finished a perfect 4-for-4 with the man advantage on the night. Graduate student Cam Donaldson and senior Colin Felix collected the assists.

The Catamounts broke up the shutout bid with Timofei Spitserov's goal at 9:28 before sophomore Oliver MacDonald netted UMass' eighth on a breakaway from freshman Ryan Lautenbach and Mercuri at the 11:10 mark.

William Lemay completed the scoring for Vermont at 17:25.

UMass finished with a 30-27 advantage in shots on goal and were 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.

Graduate student Matt Murray had 22 saves in 51:10 in net and freshman Luke Pavicich played the final 8:50 and made three saves.

The Minutemen will close out the regular season next weekend with a home-and-home against Boston College, beginning in Chestnut Hill on Friday, March 4, at 7 p.m.