MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. - Keenan Rancier made 37 saves, and Max Strand scored his first career goal, but the Catamounts fell Saturday night 3-1 to St. Thomas in non-conference action from Saint Thomas Arena.
COACH'S QUOTE
"We didn't really get to our identity tonight," said Head Coach Stephen Wiedler. "We skipped step number one so that's on me. First shift they went right at us, and we didn't match it. I didn't like our habits, and I didn't love our compete. I know that's a good team we played, but that's no excuse for not getting to our game fast enough."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Tommies opened the scoring just 38 seconds into the first frame. Caige Sterzer centered a feed from behind the UVM net. Two UVM defenders checked the nearest St. Thomas forward but Matthew Gleason trailed the play and one-timed a shot off the post and in.
- Keenan Rancier made 17 first period saves for the Catamounts Saturday night including five key stops during an extended sequence of five-on-three power play for the Tommies.
- St. Thomas doubled its lead 7:58 into the second period. Mason Poolman scored his third goal of the weekend series just fitting a wrist shot from the slot under the arm of Rancier. J.D. Metz earned the primary assist on the goal.
- Strand picked up his first collegiate goal 5:48 into the third period. Strand won an offensive zone faceoff back to Sebastian Törnqvist. Törnqvist first a wrist shot as traffic assembled in front of the St. Thomas net. Strand redirected the shot from right in front to make it 2-1.
- Cooper Gay sealed the Tommies win with an empty netter with 32 seconds left in regulation.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Keenan Rancier made a career-high 37 saves in the crease for the Catamounts.
- Blake Steenerson and Max Strand, both Minnesota natives, made their regular season debuts in the green and gold tonight.
- With tonight's 3-1 decision, Community Bank N.A. will donate $75 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
Vermont returns home to the Gut next weekend as they host former ECAC rival Clarkson at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 19. It's PC Construction Night and the first 500 fans will receive a co-branded stainless-steel cup. Secure your tickets today at go.uvm.edu/pcnight.
As always, the game will be broadcast live on WVMT (96.3 FM/620 AM) with the voice of the Catamounts Adam Lafleur in the Handy Toyota Broadcast Booth. Rob Ryan will have the call on ESPN+
