BURLINGTON, Vt. - Ryan Miotto scored 2:33 into overtime to lift Vermont over No. 10 UMass 2-1 Friday night on Green Out the Gut presented by Casella. The Catamounts' win was their first over a team ranked in the top-10 since 2019. With the win, the Catamounts improved to 4-5-1 overall and 3-3-1 in league play while UMass fell to 9-4-1 overall and 4-3-1 in Hockey East.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Extremely proud of this group," Head Coach Steve Wiedler said. "Proud of our players for their work ethic. Proud of Shane Madolora for that coaching challenge and his conviction in that decision. What a resilient effort from top to bottom by our program. Tomorrow we flip the page and prepare for another big test in UML."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a back and forth first period first year defenseman Jack Malinski came within inches off scoring the opening goal. He received a feed from Jens Richards at the point and split two UMass defenders before wiring a shot off the crossbar and out.
- 8:20 into the second period it was the Minutemen just missing on a go-ahead tally. On the power play Scott Morrow one-timed a wrist shot off the pipe and out.
- With 2:20 left in the middle frame it appeared that UMass' Ryan Ufko had given the Minutemen the lead with a wrist shot through traffic. However, the Catamounts successfully challenged for a five-minute major for cross checking on UMass' Morrow, wiping the goal off the board.
- The Catamounts would strike on the ensuing power play. Miotto and Massimo Lombardi teamed up to win a puck battle along the boards and Miotto fed a cross-ice pass to Nick Ahern that he one-timed home for his first career goal past a diving Michael Hrabal. Ahern's tally came with 2:13 left in the second.
- The Minutemen equalized 8:23 into the third period. From a sharp angle UMass' Jack Musa found the back of the net for his team-leading sixth goal of the campaign.
- In overtime, the Catamounts secured the winner on the cycle in the UMass zone. Jérémie Bucheler passed off to Will Zapernick and as the UVM captain circled behind UMass' net Miotto cut to the net splitting the UMass defenders. Right in front Miotto received a pass from Zapernick and slotted it under Hrabal's glove for his second goal of the season.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Only three teams have beaten UMass this season - No. 13 Michigan, No. 4 Boston University and Vermont (twice).
- Tonight, was UVM's first win over a top-10 ranked opponent since topping No. 9 Providence 3-1 on February 1, 2019.
- It was also Vermont's first home win over UMass since November 25, 2014.
- With tonight's 2-1 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $150 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 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
On Sunday, the Catamounts will host UMass Lowell in UVM's first home NESN broadcast since 2014. Due to Sunday's NESN broadcast puck drop is set for 3 p.m. The action will be simulcast on ESPN+. The first 100 kids on Sunday will receive a voucher for a free hot dog presented by McKenzie. Sunday's game also features a Postgame Skate with the Cats. Fans of all ages are encouraged to bring their skates and a helmet to join our student-athletes on the ice following the contest.
