Graduate defenseman Eric Gotz scored in overtime for the Catamounts
Gotz Scores in Overtime to Lift Vermont Past Rensselaer, 4-3
Graduate defenseman Eric Gotz scored in overtime for the Catamounts

Box Score - Highlights

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Vermont's Eric Gotz scored 1:39 into overtime to lift the Catamounts to a 4-3 win over RPI in non-conference action at Gutterson Fieldhouse on Black Friday. Friday's win was the Catamounts fourth straight at home this season and improved their record to 5-8-1 on the campaign.


COACH'S QUOTE

"We are very pleased with the outcome tonight, and similar to last weekend versus Providence, we stuck to our game plan," Head Coach Todd Woodcroft said. "Tonight, the difference was that we pulled off the win in overtime. Our PP helped us when we need it, our PK continued to be excellent and even through some adversity, we managed a win and that is the best word for the game - we managed the game well today. Even though shorthanded on bodies, the players got up and off the mat when challenged. This was a good stepping stone for us. Back to work tomorrow and off to RPI. And on behalf of all UVM men's hockey, good luck to our friends at UVM Soccer as they take on UCLA tomorrow night. We will all be watching from Albany."


HOW IT HAPPENED

- Carter Long opened the scoring for the Catamounts 3:29 into the contest. On the cycle Joel Määttä found Long open at the point. Long fired a perfect wrist shot to the top corner that RPI's Jack Wilson never saw through traffic. Long's second of the season was also assisted by UVM's Xavier Henry.

- TJ Walsh equalized for the Engineers 6:52 into the second frame. In transition Sutter Muzzatti fed a pass to Walsh in front of the Vermont net and Walsh one-timed it home for his fifth goal of the season.

- Vermont reestablished its lead with 7:13 left in the middle frame on its second power play opportunity of the contest. Robbie Stucker stepped into a wrist shot from the faceoff dot and beat Wilson clean for his second power play goal in as many games. Gotz and Andrei Buyalsky earned assists on the play.

- With 2:34 left in the middle frame the Catamounts doubled their advantage with another power play goal. With the RPI defense spread out Isak Walther found Jacques Bouquot alone in the slot for a one-timer that he blew past Wilson for his second goal of the season. Stucker earned the secondary assist on the play.

- RPI answered right back with Jack Brackett finding the back of the net 16 seconds later. Brackett scored on an almost identical play to Walsh, as he one-timed home a feed on the backdoor.

- RPI tied the game up 7:25 into the third period in transition. Jake Gagnon fired a wrist shot top corner for his fourth goal of the season. John Beaton earned an assist on the tally.

- In the overtime session Will Zapernick blocked a RPI pass attempt that sent UVM the other way. Gotz tried to find Bouqout with a breakaway pass, it wasn't quite there but Bouqout stayed with it. He won a puck battle in the corner and skated to the front of the net before feathering a pass to Gotz for the one-timer that won the game.


INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

- It is the first time Vermont has won four straight home games since December 30, 2016 - January 20, 2017 when Vermont won five straight against Bentley (2x), St. Lawrence, Northeastern and UConn.

- Vermont's Xavier Henry earned his first collegiate point with his first period assist on Long's tally.

- Catamounts defenseman Lucas Jones, a Calgary, Alberta, saw his first collegiate action Friday night.

- With tonight's 4-3 win, Community Bank N.A. will donate $300 to Special Olympics Vermont. Community Bank, N.A. donates $75 per goal to Special Olympics Vermont for every goal the men's and women's team scores this season.

- With tonight's win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to COTS, the Committee on Temporary Shelter, as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Since the campaigns inauguration in 2017, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group has donated over $72,000 to local non-profits.


UP NEXT

Vermont is back in action on Sunday, November 27 as they travel to RPI to close out the weekend series at Houston Field House. Faceoff is set for 4 p.m. The radio voice of the Catamounts Adam LaFleur will have the call on WVMT. The Zero Gravity Craft Brewing Pregame Show starts at 6:30 p.m.  

Sunday's action will also air on ESPN+ as part of the ECAC league deal. Sunday will be the Catamounts final road game of 2022 as they will close out December with five home games against Maine, Dartmouth and Lindenwood. Visit UVMAthletics.com to purchase tickets to the Catamounts December home tilts.