BURLINGTON, Vt. - Chris Theodore scored the game-winner midway through the final frame and Gabe Carriere made 31 saves as Vermont knocked off #9 Maine 2-1 Friday night during the first game of a two-game series with the Black Bears. With the win, the Catamounts improved to 13-15-3 (7-11-3 HEA) while Maine fell to 19-10-2 (11-9-1 HEA).
COACH'S QUOTE
"That was a big win versus a top-10 team in the country," said Head Coach Steve Wiedler. "I really liked our first two periods. Maine brought a good push in the third. Was proud of the way our group responded to get that win after Maine tied it up. Big test tomorrow night for Senior Night."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Vermont gained the early lead 6:35 into the opening frame after Isak Walther scored his fourth goal of the season to put the Catamounts ahead 1-0. An awkward bounce off the end boards on a UVM dump attempt caught the Maine goalie completely out of position, giving Walther the opportunity to put the puck in front of the net, ricocheting off a Maine defenders skate into the wide-open net. Simon Jellus and Ralfs Bergmanis registered assists on the play.
- After a scoreless second period, Maine scored the equalizer goal 9:35 into the final period thanks to a skillful solo effort by the Black Bears' Harrison Scott, scoring his 12th of the season on the powerplay, knotting the score 1-1.
- Just a little over two minutes later, 11:46 into the third period, Vermont bounced back thanks to Chris Theodore scoring his eighth goal of the season. Will Zapernick fed Ryan Miotto cutting through the neutral zone, who elected to take it wide around the Maine defender. While getting tripped in the process, Miotto was able to fire the puck on net towards Theodore who cashed it home for the game-winning goal, taking the 2-1 lead with just under 10 minutes of game time remaining.
- Gabe Carriere successfully saved all seven shots in the final minutes, securing Vermont the victory over #9 ranked Maine, 2-1.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Theodore scored the game-winner for Vermont, his eighth of the season and second game in a row finding the back of the net for the Catamounts. It's the first time this season Theodore has scored in back-to-back games.
- Walther opened scoring for Vermont, earning his fourth goal of the season.
- Zapernick had a game-high three blocked shots.
- Duncan Ramsay had a game high +/- rating, finishing with a rating of +2 on the night.
- Carriere stopped 31 out of the 32 shots faced in net tonight. This is the ninth time this season Carriere has registered 31 or more saves.
- With tonight's 2-1 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 Vermont Children's Trust Foundation as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Since its inauguration in 2017, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group has donated over $94,000 to local non-profits through the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative.
UP NEXT
Vermont looks to defend home ice again tomorrow as they prepare for the second game of their two-game series against #9 Maine in the final home game of the regular season. Saturday's (Mar. 2) tilt against the Black Bears is Senior Day Presented by MVP Health Care with puck drop scheduled for a 7 p.m. start at Gutterson Fieldhouse and will be live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call. As always, the game will also be broadcast live on WVMT with the voice of the Catamounts Adam Lafleur in the Handy Toyota Broadcast Booth. There will be a co-branded water bottle giveaway courtesy of MVP Health Care, as well as a senior rate discount for all fans 62+ which will be the group rate of $15 a ticket upon arrival.
On Saturday night, the Catamounts will honor their two seniors - Gabe Carriere and Will Zapernick, their four fifth year players - Jérémie Bucheler, Zach Dubinsky, Ryan Miotto, Chris Theodore, and senior student manager Al Beauregard in their Senior Night Ceremony presented by the UVM Alumni Association. Saturday's ceremony is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
