BURLINGTON, Vt. - Five different Catamounts found the back of the night on Tuesday night at Gutterson Fieldhouse to lift them past Saint Michael's 6-0 on Vermont Night presented by Vermont Federal Credit Union. Evelyne Blais-Savoie (2 goals, assist) and Natálie Mlýnková (goal, 2 assists) each tallied three-point games. With the win, Vermont moves to 9-8-1 on the season while the Purple Knights fall to 0-20-0.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Credit to Saint Michael's for a very hard-fought game," Head Coach Jim Plumer said. "Obviously it's great to kick off the new year with a win, but we are going to have to play better in all aspects of the game if we expect to have success in the second half. Credit to Ellie Simmons for the shutout and her first career win. I'm looking forward to a much better performance this weekend at RPI."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Mlýnková ignited the scoring for the Catamounts, netting the first goal of the game 15:32 into the opening period. From behind the net, Blais-Savoie located Mlýnková just outside the crease, who proceeded to tuck home the score. Hailey Eikos was credited with the secondary assist on the play.
- Vermont struck again less than a minute later to extended their lead to 2-0. Sara Levesque received a pass from McKenzie Cerrato and fired a wrist shot from the slot that deflected off the far post. Maddy Skelton corralled the rebound and put away her fourth goal of the season.
- UVM added a third score on a powerplay goal 9:51 into the second frame. Blais-Savoie gathered a pass from Mlýnková before dekeing her way into the slot. She drove a shot far side for her sixth goal of the year. Lily Humphrey recorded the secondary assist on the tally.
- After retrieving a rebound from a Lara Beecher shot, Rose-Marie Brochu located Kaylee Lewis diving into the low slot. Lewis handled the pass and lifted the puck into the top right corner to give Vermont a 4-0 lead 13:34 into the second period.
- The Catamounts extended their lead to 5-0 with 4:34 remaining in the third period. Anna Podein found Hailey Burns who quickly delivered a pass across the ice to Ezra Oien. Oien one-timed Burns' pass into the net for her second career goal.
- Blais-Savoie added another goal less than 30 seconds later to grow Vermont's lead to 6-0. Alaina Tanski connected with Mlýnková who shoveled a pass to Blais-Savoie. Blais-Savoie unleashed a shot from the right faceoff circle past Saint Michael's Annika Lavender (47 saves) for her second goal of the contest.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Vermont recorded a season-high 53 shots, highlighted by eight from Beecher.
- Vermont had a strong performance in the faceoff circle winning 39 of their 53 draws, including 11 wins from Blais-Savoie and 10 wins from Brochu.
- Ellie Simmons recorded her first career shutout and win for the Catamounts while finishing with nine saves.
- With today's 6-0 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $450 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 hit the road on Friday as they travel to RPI for a two-game series. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. on Friday at Houston Field House. Catch all the action live on ESPN+.
