LOWELL, Mass. - The Vermont men's hockey team overcame an early 2-0 deficit Saturday night scoring three unanswered goals in a 3-3 tie with UMass Lowell from the Tsongas Center. For the second straight night Vermont topped the River Hawks in the shootout to earn the extra league point. With the tie, the Catamounts improved to 11-12-3 while the River Hawks improved to 7-17-4 overall.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Taking four out of six points on the road in Lowell isn't an easy task," Head Coach Steve Wiedler said. "To go down 2-0 and push the way our guys did to get back in the game is a testament to our groups belief and work ethic. Proud of them for the way they fought tonight."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The River Hawks opened the scoring 10:06 into the first period. Nick Granowicz drove wide on a Vermont defender before cutting to the net and beating Gabe Carriere to the far post for his third goal of the season. Scott Truman earned an assist on the tally.
- 2:41 later UMass Lowell doubled its advantage with a power play goal during a five-minute major. From the point Truman fed a shot-pass down low that Owen Cole was able to redirect home for his 10th goal of the year.
- The Catamounts answered back early in the second period. Timofei Spitserov forced a UMass Lowell turnover in the Vermont zone and Isak Walther passed the puck out to Spitserov who flew the zone. Spitserov faked a moved and then slid the puck through Henry Welsch's legs for his sixth goal of the season at the 5:03 mark.
- Vermont equalized with 2:26 to play in the second period. In transition Jens Richards held up at the faceoff dot and fired shot a towards the net. It double-deflected off River Hawks defenders in front and found the back of the net. Jack Malinski earned an assist on the play.
- 6:46 into the third period Joel Määttä gave the Catamounts the lead. Malinski made a great play at the blue line to keep the puck in and pushed the puck over to Määttä. He skated into the slot and blew a wrist shot by Welsch for his second goal of the weekend. Walther also earned an assist on the play.
- Filip Fornåå Svensson tied the contest for the River Hawks with 2:51 to play in regulation. Brehdan Engum fired a shot from the point that caromed off a Vermont defender and came right to Fornåå Svensson who put it home just past a diving Carriere.
- For the second straight night, the five-minute three-on-three didn't provide a winner. In the shootout Carriere stopped three of the four UML shooters and Määttä and Chris Theodore scored for the Catamounts to earn the second Hockey East point.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Vermont is now 3-0 in Hockey East shootouts this season, Gabe Carriere has stopped nine of the 10 attempts he has faced.
- Jens Richards extended his career-best point streak to nine games this evening. Over the last nine games he has posted five goals and five assists for 10 points.
- With the two points, Vermont earned Saturday night they are now tied with Northeastern for eighth place, with a game in hand. The 6-8 seeds in Hockey East will host the Opening Round single elimination games on Wednesday, March 13.
- With tonight's 3-3 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $225 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.
UP NEXT
The Catamounts return to the Gut next weekend to face the Merrimack Warriors in a pivotal two-game set. Friday February 17 at 7 p.m. UVM will face the Warriors on Vermont Night presented by Vermont Federal Credit Union.
