EAST MEADOW, N.Y. - Vermont scored three power play goals as they powered past LIU 5-1 Sunday from the Northwell Health Ice Center in non-conference action. With the win, the Catamounts improved to 7-7-1 overall and the Sharks fell to 6-14-1.
COACH'S QUOTE
"That was a great effort from our guys this weekend against a tough opponent in an unfriendly environment," Head Coach Steve Wiedler said. "We've talked about finding different ways to win and we did that this weekend. Proud of our special teams today, especially our PP guys sticking with it and providing some needed cushion to the scoreboard. Our PK guys rebounding from yesterday and executing today. Great to head into break on three-game win streak."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Vermont opened the scoring 1:47 into the action Sunday afternoon. Andrei Buyalsky won a puck battle along the boards and fed Mateo Dixon as he cut to the net. Dixon fired a wrist shot under LIU goaltender Rico DiMatteo's arm for his first career goal. Philip Törnqvist earned the secondary assist on the opening goal.
- The Catamounts doubled their lead on the power play at the 11:32 mark of the first period. Buyalsky found some space in the slot and just missed the net with a shot, but Chris Theodore was right beside the post and collected the carom of the boards and tapped it home for his third goal of the season. Jérémie Bucheler picked up the secondary assist leaving the puck for Buyalsky at the point.
- Vermont added another power play marker with 37 seconds left in the first period. From behind the net Nick Ahern found Timofei Spitserov for a quick one-timer from the doorstep. LIU pulled DiMatteo (11 saves) after the first period.
- The Catamounts made it three power play goals with another tally 7:23 into the second period. Bucheler fired a one-timed slap shot from the point off a feed from Zach Budbinsky. Bucheler's shot redirected in front off a LIU defender and past Brandon Perrone.
- With five to play in the second period Ryan Miotto stretched the Catamounts advantage to five. On the forecheck Zapernick won the puck and quickly centered a feed to Miotto. Miotto got a quick shot off and beat Perrone for his third goal of the season.
- LIU did get a goal back with 3:53 to play in the second period. Adam Pitters scored on a breakaway for the Sharks.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Vermont has seven wins before the semester break for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign. The Catamounts were 10-6-2 that season and won the Belpot at the Friendship Four in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
- This weekend was Vermont's first weekend sweep since defeating UNH in back-to-back 2-1 decisions in November of 2022.
- The Catamounts three-goal first period was the third period this season in which they've scored three times.
- Today was the first time this season the Catamounts power play has scored three goals in a single contest. It was the first time UVM had 3 PPG in a game since 1/21/23 at Boston College.
- With today's 5-1 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $375 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 Catamounts will return to Gutterson Fieldhouse for some holiday hockey on Friday, December 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 30 at 5 p.m. as they face St. Thomas for the first time in program history. Both contests will air on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call. As always, Adam Lafleur will call the action on WVMT from the Handy Toyota Broadcast Booth.
Friday's contest is DR Power Night at the Gut. Fans will receive cobranded pucks upon entry and be entered into a raffle for a DR Power Trimmer Mower ($500 value.) Saturday evening is Rally's Birthday and Youth Day presented by Healthy Living. In addition, the first 1,000 fans on Saturday will receive a voucher for a free hot dog courtesy of Handy Toyota, our presenting sponsor of the 2023-24 campaign.
