BURLINGTON Vt. - The Catamounts scored three second period goals and never turned back as they conquered Merrimack in the second game of a two-game series Saturday night from Gutterson Fieldhouse. Saturday was Vermont's Team IMPACT Night presented by Inspired Closets. With the win, UVM improves to 12-13-3 overall and 6-9-3 in league action.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Our group played to our identity tonight for 60 minutes," said Head Coach Steve Wiedler. "They didn't waver when they went down in the first. Again, showing their resolve as a group. They did it as a team tonight and every man was rowing in the same direction."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Warriors opened scoring on the first power play of the game, scoring 2:32 into the matchup after Ben Brar fed Ty Daneault all alone in the front of the net, who proceeded to tuck his shot top shelf over the goalies' glove, earning Merrimack the early 1-0 lead.
- Vermont scored the equalizer goal 5:23 into the second period, thanks to Massimo Lombardi netting his fifth goal of the season. Chase Theodore took a hit to make a play in the neutral zone, flicking the puck off the boards into open space. After collecting the loose puck, Lombardi took a few strides towards the slot, ripping a backhand shot past Merrimack's goalies' blocker, tying the score at 1-1. Eli Barnett was awarded an assist on the play as well.
- UVM gained the lead 16:44 into the second frame when Ralfs Bergmanis found Isak Walther, who sent a tape-to-tape pass across the slot to Jens Richards, catching the puck on his forehand, Richards sniped the puck five hole for his 10th goal of the season. Vermont took the 2-1 lead.
- Zach Dubinsky rifled his second goal of the season on the power play top shelf, short side high, over the goalie's shoulder with three seconds remaining of the second period after skating the puck into the zone by himself and unleashing a missile of a shot after reaching the faceoff dot. Dubinsky's goal earned the Catamounts a 3-1 lead entering the final period of play. Joel Maatta was awarded an assist on the play.
- Thomas Sinclair scored for the Catamounts 15:56 into the final period while being shorthanded, launching the puck off the glass from his own zone in an attempt to clear, but after ricocheting off the glass the puck slid perfectly into the empty net, giving Vermont a 4-1 lead.
- Gabe Carriere saved all 11 shots faced in the third period, resulting in the Catamounts taking the 4-1 win over Merrimack Saturday night.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Nine different skaters recorded a point against Merrimack on Saturday
- This is the second game this season Vermont has scored on both special teams, shorthanded and on the power play. The last time was in a 6-2 victory over UMass on Nov. 11.
- UVM outshot Merrimack 29-25. Richards led all skaters with six total shots on net.
- The Catamounts scored three goals in the second, ultimately putting the match too far out of reach for the Warriors to ever catch up.
- Carriere saved 24 out of the 25 shots faced against Merrimack.
- With tonight's 4-1 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $300 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 return to action next weekend as they travel to Chestnut Hill, MA to take on No. 1 Boston College in a two-game Hockey East series. Friday's contest is set for 7 p.m. and will be Vermont's fourth appearance on NESN this season. On Saturday evening the teams will faceoff at 7 p.m. Both games will still air live on ESPN+. As always, the games will be broadcast live on WVMT with the voice of the Catamounts Adam Lafleur in the Handy Toyota Broadcast Booth.
