BURLINGTON, Vt. - Natálie Mlýnková posted her second career hat trick and the Catamounts scored three third period goals to defeat New Hampshire 6-3 Friday evening in Hockey East action from Gutterson Fieldhouse. With the win Vermont improved to 4-2-1 on the campaign and a perfect 3-0-0 in league play.
COACH'S QUOTE
"We are not doing things the easy way but it sure feels good to be able to score when we need to," Head Coach Jim Plumer said. "I still am looking for us to play a full 60 minutes with the kind of focus and execution we had in the third period. A tip of the "hat" to Natálie Mlýnková for her hat trick and to Alaina Tanski for the game-winner. I'm looking for us to be sharper tomorrow."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Wildcats opened the scoring 6:06 into the first frame. Charli Kettyle found the back of the net from the point with a one-timed slap shot through heavy traffic that UVM's Jessie McPherson never saw.
- With just 47 seconds to play in the opening period UVM first year Rose-Marie Brochu notched her second career goal to tie things up. A Hailey Eikos point shot was knocked down in front and Brochu turned and fired the puck home. Lara Beecher earned the secondary assist on the tally.
- Just 27 seconds into the second period UNH regained its advantage. Shea Verrier fed a perfect stretch pass to Jada Christian and she broke in alone on McPherson. With speed Christian roofed a shot bardown for her first goal of the season.
- Mlýnková struck shorthanded for the Catamounts at the 3:22 mark of the second to tie things up once again. On a two-on-two rush Tanski curled and passed back to the captain. Mlýnková ripped a wrist shot past UNH's Sedona Blair to make it 2-2.
- Just 66 seconds later UNH again established a one-goal edge as Kira Joudikis posted her sixth goal of the year on the power play.
- Unfazed the Catamounts clapped right back. Mlýnková intercepted a stretch pass in the neutral zone and broke in alone on Blair. She faked a wrist, then went forehand to backhand in an instant before effortlessly floating the puck in for her second of the night. Mlýnková's unassisted tally came at the 8:49 mark.
- Entering the third period tied up the Catamounts blitzed the Wildcats with two quick strikes 41 seconds apart. 56 seconds into the frame Hailey Burns won a puck battle on the forecheck and centered a feed toward the slot. Tanski gathered the pass and roofed a shot to give UVM the lead for good.
- Seconds later Mlýnková pounded home a rebound after a power move by Lily Humphrey to make it 5-3. Mlýnková's hat trick tally would spell the end of the night for UNH's Blair.
- Burns put the game out of reach with 9:21 to play to in the third period. Burns picked up her first of the season on the power play. Ava Hills made an initial save on Kaylee Lewis but the puck trickled through Hills and lay in the crease before Burns tapped it home.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Natálie Mlýnková leads Hockey East with 1.33 goals-per game in league play.
- Vermont is the only team in Hockey East to take all of the available points from their Hockey East contests.
- Vermont is 3-0-0 this season when scoring a power play goal.
- The Catamounts are converting on 17.5% of their shots so far, this season, which leads Division I. The next closest Hockey East team is Maine, converting 10% of its shots.
- With the win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to King Street Center as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Since its inauguration in 2017, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group has donated over $80,000 to local non-profits through the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative.
UP NEXT:
Vermont will close out its weekend set with New Hampshire as they return to action tomorrow afternoon for a 4 p.m. faceoff from the Gut. All the action will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call. Kids 12 and younger are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costumer to receive free admission.
