EAST MEADOW, N.Y. - Ralfs Bergmanis scored 22 seconds into overtime Saturday night from the Northwell Health Ice Center to lift the Catamounts to a 3-2 win over LIU in the first-ever meeting between the two teams. With the win, the Catamounts improved to 6-7-1 overall and the Sharks fell to 6-13-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a back and forth first period Will Zapernick opened the scoring for the Catamounts with 2:25 left in the opening frame. Chris Theodore fed the Catamounts captain in the slot. LIU's Brandon Perrone made an initial save on Zapernick but he got his own rebound and with a quick backhand he put home his second tally of the season.
- The Sharks tied things up in the second period 3:06 in on the power play. A cross-crease pass from Nolan Welsh was stopped in front by Chris Pappas. UVM's Gabe Carriere lost the puck in traffic and Pappas was able to stash it home for his fourth goal of the year.
- The Catamounts regained the league with a great individual effort by sophomore forward Thomas Sinclair. Timofei Spitserov dumped the puck in the LIU zone and Sinclair stripped a LIU defender and skated in alone on Perrone. Perrone went for the pokecheck and Sinclair stepped around the netminder and tucked it home for his first goal of the year. UVM's Carriere also earned an assist on the tally which came with 10:25 to play in the second.
- The Sharks equalized in the third period with another power play tally with 6:51 to play in regulation. Cade Mason fired from the point and Isaiah Fox redirected the puck from the top of the slot for his eighth goal of the campaign.
- Vermont wasted no time in the three-on-three extra session to capture the win. Ryan Miotto engaged with a LIU defender along the boards and Massimo Lombardi took the loose puck and fed Bergmanis as he cut into the LIU zone with speed. Bergmanis skated into the slot and blew a wrist shot under Perrone's blocker to seal UVM's second overtime win of the season.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Jens Richards was transported to a local hospital tonight. Initial testing is all normal and he is awake and responsive. He has full movement in his arms and legs.
- Captain Will Zapernick led all players with five shots on goal Saturday night.
- With Bergmanis' game-winner seven of the Catamounts last 11 goals have come from their defenseman.
- With tonight's 3-2 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
The two teams will faceoff again on Sunday, December 17 at 2 p.m. from the Northwell Health Ice Center. It will air regionally on SNY while it will also be simulcast on ESPN+. As always, Adam Lafleur will call the action on WVMT from the Handy Toyota Broadcast Booth.
