Sophomore forward Brett Berard scored the game-winning goal for the Friars
Providence College Holds Off Vermont, 2-1, In Playoff Opener
Sophomore forward Brett Berard scored the game-winning goal and junior goaltender Jaxson Stauber made 17 saves for the Friars

Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Cody Monds and Brett Berard scored, while Jaxson Stauber made 17 saves as the seventh-seeded Providence College men's hockey team advanced to the Hockey East Quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Vermont in Opening Round action on Wednesday (March 9) at Schneider Arena. With the win, the Friars will faceoff against second-seeded UMass on Saturday night (March 12) at 7 p.m. at the Mullins Center.

SCORE
Providence - 2 | Vermont - 1

RECORDS
No. 20 Providence - 22-13-2 (12-11-1 HEAM) | Vermont- 8-25-2 (6-16-2 HEAM)

VENUE
Schneider Arena - Providence, R.I.

GOALIES
Jaxson Stauber (PC) - 17 saves
Gabe Carriere (Vermont) - 38 saves


NOTES

- Both teams skated through the opening period scoreless. The Friars held a 16-4 advantage in shots during the opening frame.

- Providence broke the ice, 1-0, at 6:01 of the second period with a goal from Cody Monds, who won a race for a loose puck and beat Carriere on a breakaway. It was Monds' fifth goal of the season and third against the Catamounts this year. Jaxson Stauber earned his fifth assist of the season on the play.

- Brett Berard extended the Friars' lead to 2-0 at 3:19 of the third period off a toss from the half wall, assisted by Parker Ford, for his 18th goal of the season. Berard won a battle along the boards and sent a shot towards the net which deflected off a Vermont defenseman and in.

-Vermont got on the board, 2-1, with a 6-on-4 advantage with 1:58 to play after Patrick Moynihan was whistled for a trip and goaltender Gabe Carriere was pulled from net.

- The Friars held on during a frantic final minute for the win and earned their fourth win of the season against the Catamounts in four attempts.

- Providence will appear in the 34th quarterfinal appearance (32-36-1) and aim for their seventh semifinal appearance under Nate Leaman. The Friars have appeared in the quarterfinal round in every season with Nate Leaman at the helm, excluding the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 playoffs.

- The Friars will look to avenge last year's season-ending loss in the Mullins Center in the Hockey East Semifinals. The Minutemen claimed this year's series, 2-1-0, but the Friars took the last meeting back on Jan. 28 in Amherst by a 2-1 score. Providence is 2-1 all-time against UMass in postseason play.


PC GAME HIGHS

Goals: Monds, Berard (1)
Assists: Stauber, Ford (1)
Points: Monds, Berard, Stauber, Ford (1)
Shots: Ford (5)


POWER PLAYS

Providence - 0/1
Vermont - 1/1


SHOTS

Providence - 40
Vermont - 18


UP NEXT

The Friars continue Hockey East tournament play as they take on the UMass Minutemen in the Quarterfinal Round in Amherst, Mass. this Saturday, March 12.